The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three...The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three groups,which were zinc deficiency (ZD),paired fed (PF) and zinc supplementation after feeding zinc deficient food for 21 days (ZS).The duration of feed test was 35 days.Compared with PF rats,serum cortisol concentration in ZD ones was significantly increased,whereas serum ACTH concentration and cerebrum NOS activity were significantly decreased.The results suggested that zinc might influence the metabolism of hypothalamic hypophysial adrenocortical axis and NOS.展开更多
The effect of Batroxobin on spatial memory disorder of left temporal ischemic rats and the expression of HSP32 and HSP70 were investigated with Morri`s water maze and immunohistochemistry methods. The results show... The effect of Batroxobin on spatial memory disorder of left temporal ischemic rats and the expression of HSP32 and HSP70 were investigated with Morri`s water maze and immunohistochemistry methods. The results showed that the mean reaction time and distance of temporal ischemic rats in searching a goal were significantly longer than those of the sham-operated rats and at the same time HSP32 and HSP70 expression of left temporal ischemic region in rats was significantly increased as compared with the sham-operated rats. However, the mean reaction time and distance of the Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they used normal strategies more often and earlier than those of ischemic rats. The number of HSP32 and HSP70 immune reactive cells of Batroxobin-treated rats was also less than that of the ischemic group. In conclusion, Batroxobin can improve spatial memory disorder of temporal ischemic rats; and the down-regulation of the expression of HSP32 and HSP70 is probably related to the attenuation of ischemic injury.展开更多
The effect of Batroxobin expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in left temporal ischemic rats with spatial memory disorder was investigated by means of Morri's water maze and immunohistochemical metho...The effect of Batroxobin expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in left temporal ischemic rats with spatial memory disorder was investigated by means of Morri's water maze and immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that the mean reaction time and distance of temporal ischemic rats for searching a goal were significantly longer than those of sham-operated rats and at the same time NCAM expression of left temporal ischemic region was significantly increased. However, the mean reaction time and distance of Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they used normal strategies more often and earlier than those of ischemic rats. The number of NCAM immune reactive cells of Batroxobin-treated rats was more than that of ischemic group. In conclusion, Batroxobin can improve spatial memory disorder of temporal ischemic rats and the regulation of the expression of NCAM is probably related to the neuroprotective mechanism.展开更多
With the knowledge that cuckoos and cowbirds lay their eggs parasitically,and that some hosts eject parasitic eggs,ornithologists began to ponder the question of how host females discriminate between a foreign egg and...With the knowledge that cuckoos and cowbirds lay their eggs parasitically,and that some hosts eject parasitic eggs,ornithologists began to ponder the question of how host females discriminate between a foreign egg and their own eggs,wondering how hosts 'know' which egg to remove.Results of one of the rst uncontrolled experiments were inappropriately interpreted to imply ejection was based on discordancy,with hosts simply ejecting the egg in the minority,or the 'odd-looking' egg.Controlled experiments eventually revealed that hosts rst learn the appearance of own their eggs and discriminate between them and any odd egg in their nest,regardless of which egg type is in the minority.Recent work has shown that discordancy may play a role in discrimination by males mated successively with females that lay polymorphic eggs.We examine the details of the early experiments,in light of recent advances in studies of egg recognition.An ability to recognize eggs also has been extended,implicitly,to include obligate brood parasites,as it underlies several hypotheses in explanation of the behavior of parasites toward their hosts.Egg recognition in parasites,however,has not been experimentally con rmed,nor has a mechanism been identi ed by which parasites could discriminate between their own eggs and the other eggs in a nest.We review hypotheses(parasite competition,egg removal and multiple parasitism,ma a,farming) that require the ability of obligate brood parasites to discriminate eggs at di erent levels and the potential mechanisms used by parasites to recognize their own eggs and suggest experiments to test for egg discrimination.An assessment of the egg recognition ability of parasites is germane to our understanding of how parasites counteract defenses of hosts.展开更多
Objective NMDA receptor channel plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study aims to study the pathological mechanism of TBI and the impairment of lear...Objective NMDA receptor channel plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study aims to study the pathological mechanism of TBI and the impairment of learning and memory after TBI, and to investigate the mechanism of the protective effect of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on learning and memory disorder after TBI. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing approximately 200 g) were randomized into 5 groups (n = 8 in each group): control group, model group, low-dose group (MK-801 0.5 mg/kg), middle-dose group (MK-801 2 mg/kg), and high-dose group (MK-801 10 mg/kg). TBI model was established using a weight-drop head injury mode. After 2-month drug treatment, learning and memory ability was evaluated by using Morris water maze test. Then the animals were sacrificed, and brain tissues were taken out for morphological and immunohistochemical assays. Results The ability of learning and memory was significantly impaired in the TBI model animals. Besides, the neuronal caspase-3 expression, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia were all increased in TBI animals. Meanwhile, the number of neuron synapses was decreased, and vacuoles degeneration could be observed in mitochondria. After MK-801 treatment at 3 different dosages, the ability of learning and memory was markedly improved, as compared to that of the TBI model animals. Moreover, neuronal caspase-3 expression, OX-42-positive microglia and nNOS-positive neurons were all significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the mitochondria degeneration was greatly inhibited. Conclusion MK-801 could significantly inhibit the degeneration and apoptosis of neurons in damaged brain areas. It could also inhibit TBI-induced increase in nNOS-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia. Impairment in learning and memory in TBI animals could be repaired by treatment with MK-801.展开更多
Toxic insects advertise their defended state to potential predators using warning displays. Frequently these displays use cues through more than one sensory modality, and combine color, smell and sound to produce a mu...Toxic insects advertise their defended state to potential predators using warning displays. Frequently these displays use cues through more than one sensory modality, and combine color, smell and sound to produce a multimodal warning display. Signalling through more than one sensory pathway may enhance the rate of avoidance learning, and the memorability of the learned avoidance. A common insect warning odor, pyrazine, has previously been shown to increase the rate of learned avoidance of unpalatable yellow prey by domestic chicks (GaUus gallus domesticus), and the odor also improved memory of this learned avoidance. However, to date no research has examined this response to pyrazine odor using wild birds under natural conditions. This study used wild robins (Erithacus rubecula) to investigate whether wild birds avoided yellow baits that smelled of pyrazine more strongly than those presented with no odor. The results provide some evidence that pyrazine odor does increase the level of protection an aposematic insect gains from a wild avian predator, but that the effect of pyrazine on learned avoidance was much weaker than was found with domestic chicks .展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Yizhitongxuan decoction on learning and memory abilities, Gαq/11expression and Na+-K+-ATPenzymeactivityin rat models of Alzheimer's disease(AD) caused by injecting Aβ25-35 into...OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Yizhitongxuan decoction on learning and memory abilities, Gαq/11expression and Na+-K+-ATPenzymeactivityin rat models of Alzheimer's disease(AD) caused by injecting Aβ25-35 into the hippocampus.METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats(age ≥10 months)were selected and injected with Aβ25-35 into their hippocampi to establish model animals,which were randomly divided into six groups including a sham-operated group(blank group), a model group, a donepezil HCL group(Western Medicinegroup),and ahigh/general/dilute concentrations of Yizhitongxuan decoction groups(TCMⅠⅡⅢgroup).The Morris watermaze was used to examine the learning and memory abilities of rats in each group by place navigation and spatial probe tests.Then, the rats were sacrificed to collect the hippocampi for biochemical tests, using western blotting to detect the expression of Gαq/11 and an ultramicro Na+-K+-ATP enzyme kit to measure Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.RESULTS:Yizhitongxuan decoction improved model rats' learning and memory abilities, and increased the expression of Gαq/11 in the hippocampus and the level of Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity in braintissue.CONCLUSION: Yizhitongxuan decoction could improve model rats' learning and memory abilities,and had a regulating effect on the expression of Gαq/11and Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.展开更多
基金SupportedbyNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No 3970 0 12 0 )andbyNationalEducationMinistrygrants (No A9410 7)
文摘The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three groups,which were zinc deficiency (ZD),paired fed (PF) and zinc supplementation after feeding zinc deficient food for 21 days (ZS).The duration of feed test was 35 days.Compared with PF rats,serum cortisol concentration in ZD ones was significantly increased,whereas serum ACTH concentration and cerebrum NOS activity were significantly decreased.The results suggested that zinc might influence the metabolism of hypothalamic hypophysial adrenocortical axis and NOS.
文摘 The effect of Batroxobin on spatial memory disorder of left temporal ischemic rats and the expression of HSP32 and HSP70 were investigated with Morri`s water maze and immunohistochemistry methods. The results showed that the mean reaction time and distance of temporal ischemic rats in searching a goal were significantly longer than those of the sham-operated rats and at the same time HSP32 and HSP70 expression of left temporal ischemic region in rats was significantly increased as compared with the sham-operated rats. However, the mean reaction time and distance of the Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they used normal strategies more often and earlier than those of ischemic rats. The number of HSP32 and HSP70 immune reactive cells of Batroxobin-treated rats was also less than that of the ischemic group. In conclusion, Batroxobin can improve spatial memory disorder of temporal ischemic rats; and the down-regulation of the expression of HSP32 and HSP70 is probably related to the attenuation of ischemic injury.
文摘The effect of Batroxobin expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in left temporal ischemic rats with spatial memory disorder was investigated by means of Morri's water maze and immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that the mean reaction time and distance of temporal ischemic rats for searching a goal were significantly longer than those of sham-operated rats and at the same time NCAM expression of left temporal ischemic region was significantly increased. However, the mean reaction time and distance of Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they used normal strategies more often and earlier than those of ischemic rats. The number of NCAM immune reactive cells of Batroxobin-treated rats was more than that of ischemic group. In conclusion, Batroxobin can improve spatial memory disorder of temporal ischemic rats and the regulation of the expression of NCAM is probably related to the neuroprotective mechanism.
基金funded chiefly by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
文摘With the knowledge that cuckoos and cowbirds lay their eggs parasitically,and that some hosts eject parasitic eggs,ornithologists began to ponder the question of how host females discriminate between a foreign egg and their own eggs,wondering how hosts 'know' which egg to remove.Results of one of the rst uncontrolled experiments were inappropriately interpreted to imply ejection was based on discordancy,with hosts simply ejecting the egg in the minority,or the 'odd-looking' egg.Controlled experiments eventually revealed that hosts rst learn the appearance of own their eggs and discriminate between them and any odd egg in their nest,regardless of which egg type is in the minority.Recent work has shown that discordancy may play a role in discrimination by males mated successively with females that lay polymorphic eggs.We examine the details of the early experiments,in light of recent advances in studies of egg recognition.An ability to recognize eggs also has been extended,implicitly,to include obligate brood parasites,as it underlies several hypotheses in explanation of the behavior of parasites toward their hosts.Egg recognition in parasites,however,has not been experimentally con rmed,nor has a mechanism been identi ed by which parasites could discriminate between their own eggs and the other eggs in a nest.We review hypotheses(parasite competition,egg removal and multiple parasitism,ma a,farming) that require the ability of obligate brood parasites to discriminate eggs at di erent levels and the potential mechanisms used by parasites to recognize their own eggs and suggest experiments to test for egg discrimination.An assessment of the egg recognition ability of parasites is germane to our understanding of how parasites counteract defenses of hosts.
基金supported by the grants from Nanjing Military Medical Science and Technology Innovation Project (No. 08MA007)
文摘Objective NMDA receptor channel plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study aims to study the pathological mechanism of TBI and the impairment of learning and memory after TBI, and to investigate the mechanism of the protective effect of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on learning and memory disorder after TBI. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing approximately 200 g) were randomized into 5 groups (n = 8 in each group): control group, model group, low-dose group (MK-801 0.5 mg/kg), middle-dose group (MK-801 2 mg/kg), and high-dose group (MK-801 10 mg/kg). TBI model was established using a weight-drop head injury mode. After 2-month drug treatment, learning and memory ability was evaluated by using Morris water maze test. Then the animals were sacrificed, and brain tissues were taken out for morphological and immunohistochemical assays. Results The ability of learning and memory was significantly impaired in the TBI model animals. Besides, the neuronal caspase-3 expression, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia were all increased in TBI animals. Meanwhile, the number of neuron synapses was decreased, and vacuoles degeneration could be observed in mitochondria. After MK-801 treatment at 3 different dosages, the ability of learning and memory was markedly improved, as compared to that of the TBI model animals. Moreover, neuronal caspase-3 expression, OX-42-positive microglia and nNOS-positive neurons were all significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the mitochondria degeneration was greatly inhibited. Conclusion MK-801 could significantly inhibit the degeneration and apoptosis of neurons in damaged brain areas. It could also inhibit TBI-induced increase in nNOS-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia. Impairment in learning and memory in TBI animals could be repaired by treatment with MK-801.
文摘Toxic insects advertise their defended state to potential predators using warning displays. Frequently these displays use cues through more than one sensory modality, and combine color, smell and sound to produce a multimodal warning display. Signalling through more than one sensory pathway may enhance the rate of avoidance learning, and the memorability of the learned avoidance. A common insect warning odor, pyrazine, has previously been shown to increase the rate of learned avoidance of unpalatable yellow prey by domestic chicks (GaUus gallus domesticus), and the odor also improved memory of this learned avoidance. However, to date no research has examined this response to pyrazine odor using wild birds under natural conditions. This study used wild robins (Erithacus rubecula) to investigate whether wild birds avoided yellow baits that smelled of pyrazine more strongly than those presented with no odor. The results provide some evidence that pyrazine odor does increase the level of protection an aposematic insect gains from a wild avian predator, but that the effect of pyrazine on learned avoidance was much weaker than was found with domestic chicks .
基金Supported by the Project of Science and Technology in Shandong Universities of Shandong Provincial Education Department(No.J11LF09)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Yizhitongxuan decoction on learning and memory abilities, Gαq/11expression and Na+-K+-ATPenzymeactivityin rat models of Alzheimer's disease(AD) caused by injecting Aβ25-35 into the hippocampus.METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats(age ≥10 months)were selected and injected with Aβ25-35 into their hippocampi to establish model animals,which were randomly divided into six groups including a sham-operated group(blank group), a model group, a donepezil HCL group(Western Medicinegroup),and ahigh/general/dilute concentrations of Yizhitongxuan decoction groups(TCMⅠⅡⅢgroup).The Morris watermaze was used to examine the learning and memory abilities of rats in each group by place navigation and spatial probe tests.Then, the rats were sacrificed to collect the hippocampi for biochemical tests, using western blotting to detect the expression of Gαq/11 and an ultramicro Na+-K+-ATP enzyme kit to measure Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.RESULTS:Yizhitongxuan decoction improved model rats' learning and memory abilities, and increased the expression of Gαq/11 in the hippocampus and the level of Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity in braintissue.CONCLUSION: Yizhitongxuan decoction could improve model rats' learning and memory abilities,and had a regulating effect on the expression of Gαq/11and Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.