Elucidating the role of SlXTH5 in tomato fruit softening

Fruit softening in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)is closely associated with cell wall disassembly,which is brought about through the action of a range of cell wall structure-related enzymes and other proteins such as expansins.Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase(XTH)(EC 2.4.1.207 and/or EC 3.2.1.151)has been proposed to be key player involved in xyloglucan metabolism.SlXTH5 showed the highest expression level among all SlXTHs during tomato ripening.In this study,the role of SlXTH5 involved in tomato softening was investigated in CRISPR-based knockout mutants of SlXTH5.Loss-of-function of SlXTH5 in transgenic tomato lines resulted in slightly firmer fruit pericarp,but significantly decreased their color index compared with azygous wild type(WT)control fruits.Increased paste viscosity was detected in CRISPR mutants,indicating that the activity of SlXTH5 is responsible for maintaining cell wall structural integrity.Immunocytochemistry studies were performed using the monoclonal antibody probe LM25 to examine the localization and distribution of xyloglucan in the pericarp cells of the CRISPR mutant fruits.The data indicated more xyloglucan was retained in the pericarp of CRISPR mutant fruit than in WT control fruit.This study revealed the link between SlXTH5 and xyloglucan metabolism and indicated the potential of manipulating SlXTH5 to regulate fruit softening.

Immunocytochemical identification and localization of APUD cells in the gut of seven stomachless teleost fishes

AIM To study the cell types,localization,distribution density and morphology of APUDcells in the intestinal mucosa of stomachlessteleost fishes.METHOD By using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex(PAP)immunocytochemical staining technique theidentification,localization and morphology ofimmunoreactive(IR)endocrine cells seattered inthe intestinal mucosa of grass carp(Cyenopharyngodon idellus),black carp(Mylopharyngodon piceus)and common carp(Cyprinus carpio)were investigated with 20kinds of antisera prepared against mammalianpeptide hormones of APUD cells,and likewise byusing avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex(ABC)method those of silver carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix),bighead(Aristichthys nobilis),silver crucian carp(Carassius gibelio)and bluntnose black bream(Megalobrama amblyocephala)were alsostudied with 5 different antisera.Thereplacement of the first antiserum by phosphatebuffered saline(PBS)was employed as a control.IR endocrine cells were counted with asquare-mesh ocular micrometer from 10 fieldsselected randomly in every section of each partof the intestine specimen.The average numberof IR endocrine cells per mm2 was counted toquantify their distribution density.RESULT Gastrin(GAS)-,Gastric inhibitorypeptide(GIP)-,glucagon(GLU)-,glucagon-likeimmunoreactants(GLI)-,bovine pancreaticpolypeptide(BPP)-,leucine-enkephalin(ENK)-and substance P(SP)-IR endocrine cells werefound in the gut of grass carp,black carp andcommon carp,and somatostatin(SOM)-IRendocrine cells were only seen in common carp.GAS-,GIP-and GLU-IR endocrine cells werefound in the intestinal mucosa of silver carp,bighead,silver crucian carp and bluntnose blackbream.Most of IR endocrine cells had the higherdistribution density in the foregut and midgut,and were longer in shape.They had a long apicalcytoplasmic process extended to the gut lumenand a basal process extended to adjacent cellsor basement membrane and touched with it.Sometimes,the basal cytoplasmic processformed an enlarged synapse-like structure in thecontiguous part with basement membrane.Thisphenomenon provided new morphologicalevidence for neuroendocrine and paracrinesecretory function of these enteroendocrinecells.CONCLUTION At least 8 kinds of IR endocrinecells were found in the gut of stomachlessteleost species for the first time in China.TheseIR endocrine cells scattering in the gut mucosabelong to the APUD system.Among them,thehormones secreted by SP-,ENK-,SOM-and GLU-IR endocrine cells belong to the peptides of dualdistribution in the brain and gut.This providednew evidence for the concept of brain-gutpeptide.According to the cell types,distribution density,morphologicalcharacteristics and variety in shape of APUDcells in the gut of stomachless teleost fishes,itis deemed that the digestive tract of fishes isalso an endocrine organ of great importance andcomplexity.

Identification,localization and morphology of APUD cells in gastroenteropancreatic system of stomach-containing teleosts

AIM To identify the type localization andmorphology of APUD endocrine cells in thegastroenteropancreatic(GEP)system ofstomach-containing teleosts,and study APUDendocrine system in the stomach,intestine andpancreas of fish species.METHODS Two kinds of immunocytochemical(ICC)techniques of the streptavidin biotin-peroxidase complex(SABC)and streptavidin-peroxidase(S-P)method were used.Theidentification,localization and morphology ofAPUD endocrine cells scattered in the mucosa ofdigestive tract,intermuscular nerve plexus andglandular body of northern snakehead(Channaargus),ricefield eel(Monopterus albus),yellow catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco),mandarinfish(Siniperca chuatsi),largemouthbass(Micropterus salmoides),orientalsheatfish(Silurus asotus),freshwater pomfret(Colossoma brachypomum)and nile tilapia(Tilapia nilotica)were investigated with 8 kindsof antisera.RESULTS The positive reaction of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)immunoreactiveendocrine(IRE)cells was found in the digestive tract and glandular body of 8 fish species indifferent degree.Only a few gastrin(GAS)-IREcells were seen in C.argus,M.albus and P.fulvidraco.Glucagon(GLU)-IRE cells were notfound in the digestive tract and glandular bodybut existed in pancreatic island of most fishspecies.The positive reaction of growthhormone(GH)-IRE cells was found only inpancreatic island of S.Chuatsi and S.Asotus,no positive reaction in the other 6 fish species.Somatostatin(SOM)-,calcitonin(CAL)-,neurofilament(NF)-and insulin(INS)-IRE cellsin the stomach,intestine and pancreas of 8 kindsof fish were different in distribution and types.The distribution of all 8 APUD cells was the mostin gastrointestinal epithelium mucosa and then indigestive glands.The positive reaction of SOM-and 5-HT-IRE cells was found in intermuscularnerve plexus of intestine of P.fulvidraco andS.chuatsi.Only GH-IRE cells were denselyscattered in the pancreatic islands of S.chuatsiand S.asotus,and odd distribution in thepancreas of S.asotus,SOM-IRE cells weredistributed in the pancreatic islands of S.asotus,C.Brachypomum and T.nilotica.There were INS-IRE cells in the pancreaticislands of S.chuatsi and S.asolus.Eightkinds of APUD cells had longer cell body andcytoplasmic process when they were located inthe gastrointestinal epithelium,and had shortercell body and cytoplasmic process in the gastricgland,and irregular shape in the esophagus andpancreatic island.CONCLUSION Eight kinds of IRE cells were identified in the GEP system of stomach-containing teleosts. These endocrine cells were scattered in gastrointestinal mucosa, intermuscular nerve plexus, gland body, pancreatic gland and islands under APUD system. CAL- and GH-IRE cells in the pancreatic islands of fishes showed functional diversity for these two hormones. Their morphological feature provides evidence of endocrine-paracrine and endocrine-exocrine acting mode. This research can morphologically prove that the GEP endocrine system of fish ( the lowest vertebrate) is almost the same as of mammal and human.

Suppression of P-gp induced multiple drug resistance in a drug resistant gastric cancer cell line by overexpression of Fas

AIM To observe the drug sensitizing effect andrelated mechanisms of fas gene transduction onhuman drug-resistant gastric cancer cellSGC7901/VCR(resistant to Vincristine).METHODS The cell cycle alteration wasobserved by FACS.The sensitivity of gastriccancer cells to apoptosis was determined by invitro apoptosis assay.The drug sensitization ofcells to several anti-tumor drugs was observedby MTT assay.Immunochemical method wasused to show expression of P-gp and Topo Ⅱ ingastric cancer cells.RESULTS Comparing to SGC7901 and pBK-SGC7901/VCR,fas-SGC7901/VCR showeddecreasing G2 cells and increasing S cells,theG2 phase fraction of pBK-SGC7901/VCR wasabout 3.0 times that of fas-SGC7901/VCR,but Sphase fraction of fas-SGC7901/VCR was about1.9 times that of pBK-SGC7901/VCR,indicatingS phase arrest of fas-SGC7901/VCR.FACS alsosuggested apoptosis of fas-SGC7901/VCR,fas-SGC7901/VCR was more sensitive to apoptosisinducing agent VM-26 than pBK-SGC7901/VCR.MTT assay showed increased sensitization offas-SGC7901/VCR to DDP,MMC and 5-FU,butsame sensitization to VCR according to pBK-SGC7901/VCR.SGC7901,pBK-SGC7901/ VCRand fas-SGC7901/VCR had positively stainedTopo Ⅱ equally.P-gp staining in pBK- SGC7901/VCR was stronger than in SG07901,but there was little staining of P-gp in fas.SGC7901/VCR.CONCLUSION fas gene transduction couldreverse the MDR of human drug-resistant gastriccancer cell SGC7901/VCR to a degree,possiblybecause of higher sensitization to apoptosis anddecreased expression of P-gp.

Preparation of monoclonal antibody against human KIAA0100 protein and Northern blot analysis of human KIAA0100 gene

Monoclonal antibodies(MAbs) are important tools for the study of proteins′ function and structure. But there has been no report on the preparation of MAbs against human KIAA0100 protein up to date. Here, first, we generated the mouse MAb against human KIAA0100 protein using purified recombinant 6×Histidinc(6×His)-tagged human KIAA0100 protein segment(1557–2234) as an antigen; then, the m RNA expression of human KIAA0100 gene was detected in U937 cells using Northern blot analysis. The results showed that the mouse MAb against human KIAA0100 protein could sensitively recognize the human KIAA0100 protein using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry analysis. Besides, Western blot analysis revealed that human KIAA0100 gene possibly encoded two different protein products(254 k Da and < 250 k Da) in U937 cells. Moreover,Northern blot analysis confirmed that human KIAA0100 gene might produced two different m RNA products(6000–10000 bp and 5000–6000 bp) in U937 cells. The results provide a basis for large-scale production of the MAb against human KIAA0100 protein, which will be useful for the study of human KIAA0100 protein′s function/structure and MAb-targeted drugs in the future.

促生长素抑制素样免疫反应在大白鼠弓状核和正中隆起的超微结构分布

本文用免疫电镜方法证明:促生长素抑制素样免疫反应神经末梢分布于弓状棱并与未标记的树突形成轴树突触。在正中隆起的纤维层和栅状层内均可见上述免疫反应末梢,大多数紧贴门脉毛细血管基底膜周围甚至穿入基底膜内。免疫反应末梢尚可与未标记的末梢形成轴轴突触样结构。

Study on development and localization of CTGF-immunoreactive cells in central nervous system of rats

Objective:To studythedevelopmentof connectivetissuegrowthfactor(CTGF)immunoreactivecellsin the centralnervoussystem(CNS)of E8-P300rats.Methods:Immunocytochemistrywasemployedinourstudy.Re sults:No CTGF-immunoreactivecellsweredetectedintheCNSof ratsduringprenatalstages.A fewof CTGF-positivecellswere detectedin theearlypostnatalstage.However,thepositivecellsincreasedgraduallyin laterstages.CTGF-immunoreac-tivecellswidelydistributedin theCNSof ratsin thefirst30to60dayspostnatally,andthedensityof immunoreactive productswasthehighestinthesedays.Thenumberandstainingintensityof CTGF-positivecellsdecreasedandtheirarea of distributiondiminishedgraduallywithage.Thepositivecellsincludedneuronsmainlylocated inthecingulatecortex,striatum,hippocampus,hypothalamusandcerebellum,andastrocytesinwhitematterof thespinalcordandependymal cellsof thebrain.Mostof CTGF-immunoreactivecellswerequitebiginsizewitha longprocess.Conclusion:CTGF-im-munoreactivecellswerefoundintheCNSof rats,andtheirnumbersandpositivesignaldecreasedwiththeage.

PRIMARY CELL CULTURE FOR EMBRYONIC CARDIAC MYOCYTES OF MEXICAN AXOLOTL AND DISTRIBUTION OF DESMIN AND VIMENTIN

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＴｈｅａｘｏｌｏｔｌｐｒｏｖｉｄｅｓａｖａｌｕａｂｌｅｍｏｄｅｌｓｙｓｔｅｍｆｏｒｓｔｕｄｙｉｎｇｍｕｓｃｌｅｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔａｎｄｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎ．Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｍｉｃｒｏｓｃｏｐｙｒｅｖｅａｌｓｔｈａｔａｘｏｌｏｔ...

Growth associated protein 43 and neurofilament immunolabeling in the transected lumbar spinal cord of lizard indicates limited axonal regeneration

Previous cytological studies on the transected lumbar spinal cord of lizards have shown the presence of differentiating glial cells,few neurons and axons in the bridge region between the proximal and distal stumps of the spinal cord in some cases.A limited number of axons(20-50)can cross the bridge and re-connect the caudal stump of the spinal cord with small neurons located in the rostral stump of the spinal cord.This axonal regeneration appears to be related to the recovery of hind-limb movements after initial paralysis.The present study extends previous studies and shows that after transection of the lumbar spinal cord in lizards,a glial-connective tissue bridge that reconnects the rostral and caudal stumps of the interrupted spinal cord is formed at 11-34 days post-injury.Following an initial paralysis some recovery of hindlimb movements occurs within 1-3 months post-injury.Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis for a growth associated protein 43(GAP-43)of 48-50 k Da shows that sparse GAP-43 positive axons are present in the proximal stump of the spinal cord but their number decreased in the bridge at 11-34 days post-transection.Few immunolabeled axons with a neurofilament protein of 200-220 k Da were seen in the bridge at 11-22 days post-transection but their number increased at 34 days and 3 months post-amputation in lizards that have recovered some hindlimb movements.Numerous neurons in the rostral and caudal stumps of the spinal cord were also labeled for GAP43,a cytoplasmic protein that is trans-located into their axonal growth cones.This indicates that GAP-43 biosynthesis is related to axonal regeneration and sprouting from neurons that were damaged by the transection.Taken together,previous studies that utilized tract-tracing technique to label the present observations confirm that a limited axonal re-connection of the transected spinal cord occurs 1-3 months post-injury in lizards.The few regenerating-sprouting axons within the bridge reconnect the caudal with the rostral stumps of the spinal cord,and likely contribute to activate the neural circuits that sustain the limited but important recovery of hind-limb movements after initial paralysis.The surgical procedures utilized in the study followed the regulations on animal care and experimental procedures under the Italian Guidelines(art.5,DL 116/92).

EFFECT OF CIS-9, TRANS-11-CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID ON CELL CYCLE OF MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS(MCF-7)

Objective: To determine the effect of cis-9, trans-1 1-conjugated linoleic acid on the cell cycle of mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) and the possible mechanism of the inhibitory effect of c9,t11-CLA. Methods: Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA , cyclin A, B1, D1, p16ink4a and p21cip/waf1 of MCF-7 cells at various c9,t11-CLA concentrations (25mM, 50mM, 100mM and 200mM), at 24h and 48h. 96% ethand was used as negative control. Results: The cell growth and DNA synthesis of MCF-7 cells were inhibited by c9,t11-CLA. After treatment with various doses of c9,t11-CLA mentioned above for 8 days, the inhibition frequency was 27.18%, 35.43%, 91.05%, and 92.86%, respectively. Inhibitory effect of c9,t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25mM, 24h) was demonstrated by significantly less incorporation of 3H-TdR than the negative control (P<0.05 and P<0.01). To further investigate the influence of the cell cycle progression, we found that c9,t11-CLA may arrest the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that incubation with different concentration of c9,t11-CLA at various times significantly decreased the expression of PCNA, Cyclin A, B1, D1 in MCF-7 cells compared to the negative control (P<0.01), whereas the expression of p16ink4a and p21cip/waf1, cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors (CDKI), were increased. Conclusions: The cell growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cells is inhibited by c9,t11-CLA via blocking cell cycle, accompanying reduced expression of cyclin A, B1, D1 and enhanced expression of CDKI (p16ink4a and p21cip/wafl).

Application of malignant pleural effusion cell blocks in the diagnosis and personalized treatment of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of immunocytochemistry and related gene detection using cell block for the diagnosis and individualized treatment of advanced lung cancer.Methods Sixty-five malignant pleural effusion specimens were collected to make cell blocks, which were used for hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining, immunocytochemical studies, and gene sequencing of the tumors to guide the individualized diagnoses and treatment of the given tumors. Results The tumor cells in the cell block sections were abundant in number with high quality cellular structures, and the histological morphological characteristics were partially maintained. Immunocytochemical staining was helpful in identifying the cell origin and tumor classification, and amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) was used to determine the mutation status of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). Of the 65 samples, 50 had a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, 7 were pulmonary squamous cells, 6 were small cell carcinoma of the lung, and 2 were mesothelioma. The morphological features of the tumors were as follows: acinar formation, papillary and single cells for adenocarcinoma;intercellular bridges for squamous cell carcinoma;and morphology of the small cells is similar to that of the smear. Correlating with the results of immunocytochemical staining and clinical data analysis, 40 cases were confirmed as pulmonary adenocarcinoma, with an additional 4 cases of breast cancer, 3 cases of ovarian adenocarcinoma, and 3 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Of the 47 non-small cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC) patients, EGFR mutations were detected in 26 cases(55.3%) by ARMS, with four mutation types: exon 19 deletion(13 cases, 50.0%), exon 2l point mutations L858R(11 cases, 42.3%) and L861Q(1 case, 3.8%), and exon 18 point mutation G719X(1 case, 3.8%). Conclusion Malignant pleural effusion cell blocks combined with immunocytochemical markers and molecular pathology are helpful for the diagnosis of advanced tumors, the identification of tumor properties and histological tumor origin, and the selection of individualized treatment for advanced lung cancer.

Immunocytochemical identification and distribution of the cell types in the pituitary gland of <i>Bagrus bayad</i>(<i>Teleostei, Bagridae</i>)

Immunocytochemical identification of the different cell types in the pituitary gland of Bagrus bayad was performed using antisera against mammalian (human and rat) and piscine hormones. The adenohypophysis was composed of rostral pars distalis (RPD), proximal pars distalis (PPD) and pars intermedia (PI). Prolactin and adrenocorticotrophic cells were located in the rostral pars distalis of the pituitary. Gonadotrophic and growth hormone cells were distributed in the proximal pars distalis, but gonadotrophic cells appear also at the border of the pars intermedia. Somatolactin cells, as well as alpha-melanotrophic cells were located in the pars intermedia of B. bayad pitui-tary. The prolactin (PRL) cells were distributed in the RPD stained with orange G and showed strong immunoreactivity with antiserum to chum salmon. The adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) cells were lead hema-toxylin-positive (PbH+) and showed strong im- mu-noreactivity with anti-human ACTH;these cells bor-dered the neurohypophysis and grouped in islets be-tween PRL cells in the RPD. Growth hormone (GH) cells were densely distributed with the gonadotrophic (GTH) cells in the PPD. They were orange G positive and reacted with antiserum to chum salmon. GTH cells were located in the central area of the PPD and in the external border of the PI. These cells were Alcyan Blue and PAS positive, and immunostained with anti-chum salmon GTH Iβ and anti-chum salmon GTH IIβ. In addition, antiserum to rat thyrotropin stimulating hormone β (TSHβ) reacted positively to the GTH cells. These results suggest that GTH I, GTH II and TSH are synthesized in the same cells in the pituitary of B. bayad. The PI was composed mainly of PbH+ cells and a PAS+ cell adjacent to the neurohypophysis. The PAS+ cells from the PI bound specifically to anti-chum somatolactin. Anti-alpha- melanin stimulating hormone (MSH) stained only the PbH+ (alpha-melanotrophic) cells of the PI.

A Case of Struma Ovarii Diagnosed by Cytology during Laparoscopic Surgery

We report a case of pure struma ovarii tumor diagnosed by cytology during laparoscopic surgery. The patient was a 34-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 1, para 1, who had the left adnexal mass, and was pre-operatively diagnosed as left ovarian endometriotic cyst or mature cystic teratoma by magnetic resonance imaging findings. She underwent laparoscopy, and the content of the left ovarian cystic tumor was found to be yellow gelatinous material, suggesting mature cystic teratoma. The imprint cytology of the tumor showed benign glandular pattern, suggesting struma ovarii. Histopathological findings led us to the diagnosis of pure struma ovarii with positive reactions for thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor-1. No metastases or disseminated lesions were detected. The patient has no recurrent signs 7 months after the operation.

Use of Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) and Cell Blocks from Cell Remnants for Cytologic, Immunohistochemical, and Immunocytochemical Diagnosis of Malignancy

Great advances in screening have lowered the death rate from cervical cancer in the advanced countries. The major advances in cervical cancer screening include the Papanicolaou (Pap) test and liquid-based cytology (LBC). In this study, we aimed to use cell remnants from LBC specimens from uterine cervix and endometrium, aspirates from breast and thyroid tumors, and liquid samples (ascites, pleural effusion, and urine). Cell blocks made from cell remnants of LBC specimens were immunohistochemically or immunocytochemically stained for several biomarkers including certain tumor markers such together with hematoxylin and eosin staining for accurate diagnosis of malignancies in different samples. The findings from the cell blocks stained with these biomarkers combined with those from Pap stain led to easily diagnosis of the presence or absence of malignancies. Our findings suggest the utility of LBC and cell blocks from cell remnants in cytologic diagnosis in certain specimens.

Primary Ovarian Carcinosarcoma: Cytological, Pathological, Immunocytochemical, and Immunohistochemical Features

Ovarian carcinosarcoma composed of high-grade carcinoma and sarcoma is an extremely rare neoplasm and typically occurs in postmenopausal women aged over 60 years. A 73-year-old female, gravida three para three, presented to our hospital with right lower abdominal pain. Right pelvic solid tumor with ascites was detected on pelvic ultrasound examination. She underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and partial omentectomy, but the tumor had invaded to the right ureter, and some fragile tumor could not be taken (sub-optimal surgery). On the imprint and ascitic cytology specimens during operation, atypical cells suggestive of adenocarcinoma and spindle atypical cells with immunocytochemically vimentin positive were found. The resected tumor was histopathologically carcinosarcoma consisted of serous adenocarcinoma, chondrosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that adenocarcinoma cells were positive for AE1/AE3 and fibrosarcoma cells stained with vimentin. The final diagnosis was the right ovarian carcinosarcoma (stage pT3CNxMx). Microsatellite instability was stable and BRCA1/2 mutations could not be found in the carcinosarcoma cells. The patient was given four cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin and bevacizumab regimen, and thereafter she was treated with the ifosfamide and cisplatin because of slight elevation of serum CA125.

关于在市场经济条件下加强医德医风建设问题

本文试就在市场经济条件下加强医德医风建设问题进行初步探讨。

N型和Q型钙离子通道在海马突触传递中的作用

Ｎ型和Ｑ型钙离子通道在海马突触传递中的作用Ｎ型钙通道和一种药理学特性独特的Ｑ型钙通道被鉴定为支持海马ＣＡ３区与ＣＡＩ区神经元间突触传递的主要钙通道类型，而Ｌ型和Ｐ型钙通道对上述突触传递几乎没有贡献。发现于小脑颗粒细胞的Ｑ型钙通道据认为是由。；。一亚基...

Distribution of serotonin and FMRF-amide in the brain of Lymnaea stagnalis with respect to the visual system

Despite serotonin’s and FMRF-amide’s wide distribution in the nervous system of invertebrates and their importance as neurotransmitters,the exact roles they play in neuronal networks leaves many questions.We mapped the presence of serotonin and FMRF-amide-immunoreactivity in the central nervous system and eyes of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis and interpreted the results in connection with our earlier findings on the central projections of different peripheral nerves.Since the chemical nature of the intercellular connections in the retina of L.stagnalis is still largely unknown,we paid special attention to clarifying the role of serotonin and FMRF-amide in the visual system of this snail and compared our findings with those reported from other species.At least one serotonin-and one FMRF-amidergic fibre were labeled in each optic nerve,and since no cell bodies in the eye showed immunoreactivity to these neurotransmitters,we believe that efferent fibres with somata located in the central ganglia branch at the base of the eye and probably release 5HT and FMRF-amide as neuro-hormones.Double labelling revealed retrograde transport of neurobiotin through the optic nerve,allowing us to conclude that the central pathways and serotonin-and FMRF-amide-immunoreactive cells and fibres have different locations in the CNS in L.stagnalis.The chemical nature of the fibres,which connect the two eyes in L.stagnalis,is neither serotoninergic nor FMRF-amidergic.

《医用神经生物学》正式出版发行

《医用神经生物学》正式出版发行由韩济生、关新民主编，北京医科大学、同济医科大学、第二军医大学、白求恩医科大学、苏州医学院等六校合编的《医用神经生物学》已由武汉出版社出版发行。该书主要供研究生和长学制本科生作为教材，也可供五年制学生选读和医学院校相关学...

Innervation of Cholinergic Vestibular Efferent System in Vestibular Periphery of Rats

The innervation of cholinergic efferent fibers in the vestibular endorgans of the rat was investigated using a modified preembedding immunostaining technique of immunoelectron microscopy. A monoclonal antibody to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was used as a marker of cholinergic fibers. It was found that there were four types of cholinergic innervation in the vestibular endorgans of the rat: (1) cholinergic nerve endings formed axo-dendritic synapses with afferent chalice surrounding the type I sensory hair cells; (2) cholinergic nerve endings formed axo-somatic synapses with type Ⅱ hair cells; (3) cholinergic fibers synapse with afferent nerve fibers and (4) a synaptic contact developed between cholinergic nerve endings. The results demonstrated that a multiform innervation of the cholinergic efferents exists in the rat vestibular periphery.