bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ὄνομα ὄρνις. L’etimologia dels noms propis com a recurs argumentatiu a la tragèdia
Authors: Sánchez i Bernet Andrea
Published: December 2023

La tragèdia àtica ofereix diversos exemples de la creença que el nom propi descriu la identitat i el futur. Deixant de banda uns altres usos de l’etimologia, examinem els passatges en què la interpretació explícita del significat d’un antropònim s’empra com a recurs argumentatiu. En la majoria de casos, els personatges accepten tàcitament els averanys i el desenvolupament del drama valida la interpretació etimològica com a revelació d’una veritat en principi oculta, també per al públic.
A New Geography for Myths: Echoes of Alexander’s Campaign in India in Apollodorus’s “Library”
Authors: Acerbo Stefano
Published: December 2023

The new mythical sagas originated from Alexander’s campaign were fully integrated into Greek mythology, as revealed by the references to India in the Library. Both the reference to the pillars of Dionysus and the ill-fated expedition of Medos depend on versions of the myth that arose in connection with Alexander's campaign and seems to suggest Apollodorus’s interest in traditions connecting Asia with the Greek mythical past.
Duplá, Antonio; Núñez, Christian; Reimond, Grégory (eds.). Pasión por la Historia Antigua. De Gibbon a nuestros días
Authors: Arrayás Morales Isaías
Published: December 2023

Duplá, Antonio; Núñez, Christian; Reimond, Grégory (eds.)Pasión por la Historia Antigua. De Gibbon a nuestros díasPamplona: Urgoiti editores, Monografías, 2021, 415 p.ISBN 978-84-121036-6-3
La influencia norteamericana en el derecho de la UE: en qué se parecen y en qué se diferencian los ordenamientos jurídicos a ambos lados del océano Atlántico
Authors: Padrós Reig Carlos
Published: December 2023

Algunas de las instituciones jurídicas que funcionan hoy en día en el derecho europeo proceden de la legislación norteamericana y de sus estructuras administrativas. Sin embargo, ni se copia todo ni lo importado funciona de manera igual en ambos continentes. En el plano constitucional, existe una fuerte convergencia o influencia del modelo estadounidense en la UE, ya que ambos utilizan el comercio como herramienta de integración. En cambio, en el plano administrativo existe una notable divergencia, ya que la UE adopta un modelo administrativo indirecto en virtud del cual los Estados miembros son responsables de hacer cumplir las políticas supranacionales. Paradójicamente, la integración europea supranacional ofrece un menor nivel de autonomía a los Estados miembros que el que habrían garantizado unos Estados Unidos de Europa.
Confraries, devoció i prestigi social. La confraria del gremi dels perxers de Barcelona
Authors: Villaronga Joaquim Pallàs
Published: December 2023

Les confraries tingueren una funció devota i assistencial, cohesionant la població. Plantegen una mentalitat col·lectiva i sovint mostren el conflicte entre les autoritats civil i eclesiàstica, especialment al segle XVIII. Per concretar-ne les característiques, es presenta l'estudi monogràfic d’una confraria gremial, la del Gremi dels Perxers de Barcelona, que a finals del segle XVII s’encarregà del Misteri de Sant Simeó i, un cop desaparegut aquest el 1714, del Misteri de la Santa Espina. S’hi veu la relació entre gremi, confraries i poders públics i la renovació estatutària i assistencial del segle XVIII, limitada per l’escassetat de mitjans i de fidels, generant una sangonera econòmica que les autoritats pretenien resoldre.
La producció i el comerç de llibres d’ensenyament a la Catalunya dels segles XVII i XVIII
Authors: Camprubí Xevi
Published: December 2023

Els llibres d’ensenyament primari –entre els quals destaquen les beceroles, els salms, els franselms i els pelegrins– eren l’instrument que facilitava l’aprenentatge de llegir i escriure als nens -no pas les nenes- que als segles XVII i XVIII estudiaven a les escoles de primeres lletres de Catalunya. A la vegada, aquests petits llibrets representaven una important font d’ingressos per a les impremtes i les botigues dels llibreters, com es constata per la gran producció que ha quedat enregistrada en la documentació notarial i, sobretot, en els llibres de comptes de la confraria dels llibreters de Barcelona. El comerç de llibres d’ensenyament i la seva utilització de forma extensiva arreu del territori català indiquen que l’aprenentatge de lletra era una pràctica molt estesa a l’època moderna.
La historia de Aragón y los cronistas oficiales en las bibliotecas particulares de Zaragoza en el siglo XVII
Authors: Postigo Vidal Juan
Published: December 2023

Partiendo de un enfoque culturalista y recurriendo al análisis de documentación notarial muy precisa, se presenta el resultado de una investigación cuyo objetivo principal ha sido el rastreo pormenorizado de obras bibliográficas escritas por cronistas aragoneses dentro de las bibliotecas particulares de la ciudad de Zaragoza entre los años 1600 y 1676. En primer lugar, es necesario facilitar una relación detallada de los trabajos escritos de nuestro interés que estaban disponibles (o que, por el contrario, no podían estarlo) para el gran público en aquella época. En segundo lugar, se localizan las «presencias» y las «ausencias» de tales escritos en los ambientes domésticos que hemos analizado a través de la documentación primaria. Finalmente, se plantean las explicaciones pertinentes de tipo histórico, social y político que ayudan a comprender por qué cada individuo pudo llegar a seleccionar sus lecturas del modo en que finalmente lo hizo.
Lorenzo Andrés, J.: El Vilafamés foral. De la conquesta a l'arribada dels Borbons (Castelló de la Plana, 2021)
Authors: Belenguer Cebrià Ernest
Published: December 2023

Reseña de:
Lorenz Andrés, José Luis (2021)
El Vilafamés foral. De la conquesta a l’arribada dels Borbons (1233-1707).
Castelló de la Plana: Universitat Jaume I i Diputació de Castelló, 247 p.
Col·lecció: «Biblioteca de les Aules»
ISBN 978-84-18432-87-3
Editorial
Authors: Betrán Moya José Luis
Published: December 2023

Editorial del número 43.
"Els qui van parlar". La delación catalana del complot de Prats de Molló
Authors: Esculies Serrat Joan
Published: December 2023

El artículo aporta nueva información sobre la desarticulación del complot de Prats de Molló de noviembre de 1926. A partir de documentación procedente de los Archivos Nacionales franceses y del Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya, la investigación detalla una delación involuntaria al comienzo de ese año de un grupo de miembros del propio Estat Català. El movimiento de Francesc Macià pretendía invadir Cataluña con un contingente de catalanes e italianos, liberarla de la dictadura de Primo de Rivera y proclamar la República catalana. El artículo demuestra que, al margen de otras informaciones recabadas por los gobiernos de España y Francia, fueron las confesiones inocentes de un puñado de jóvenes separatistas las que expusieron con mayor claridad a la República francesa los propósitos macianistas, y que, por tanto, fueron miembros del propio Estat Català quienes contribuyeron a delatar su objetivo militar, al margen de espías o agentes infiltrados.
Sovereign Congress and the counterrevolutionary conspiracy of the Portuguese diplomats
Authors: Meireles Pereira Conceição
Published: December 2023

RESUMO

Pouco depois de iniciar funções, nos inícios de 1821, as Cortes Vintistas de Lisboa tomaram conhecimento de uma conspiração urdida por alguns diplomatas do antigo regime para obstaculizar o curso de acontecimentos iniciado pela Revolução Liberal portuguesa de agosto de 1820. Os procedimentos desses cinco diplomatas visaram o bloqueio comercial, a recusa de passaportes e a intervenção em território nacional das potências da Santa Aliança. Com base num relatório de averiguações, uma comissão parlamentar emitiu um parecer sobre a alegada conspiração, indicando a atuação de cada um dos envolvidos e as medidas que deviam ser tomadas. Este parecer suscitou críticas diversas e debates exaltados, a evidenciar uma pluralidade de opiniões sobre como lidar com esses diplomatas, designadamente como provar, classificar, punir e julgar os seus crimes. Este estudo visa analisar a evolução de tal debate no Congresso, desde o início até à sua extinção, num quadro de urgentes reformas e preocupações internas e de reforço do conservadorismo a nível internacional, tendo em conta a dialética entre a contrarrevolução e a dinâmica revolucionária que marcou o período de 1820-1823.
"A hierro morir". La caída del Imperio Mexicano, entre la contrarrevolución española y los pronunciamientos militares (1822-1823)
Authors: Espinosa Aguirre Joaquín E.
Published: December 2023

Durante el Trienio Liberal, los pronunciamientos militares fueron una de las prácticas más comunes, tanto en la Metrópoli –donde uno de ellos provocó el restablecimiento constitucional– como en Iberoamérica, especialmente en Nueva España. Ahí se tuvo una de las recepciones más significativas de este fenómeno, pues el modelo de Rafael del Riego fue puesto en práctica a partir de febrero de 1821 por el coronel vallisoletano Agustín de Iturbide, quien propuso la unidad de los diversos sectores novohispanos para conseguir la independencia del Imperio mexicano. Sin embargo, como un mal endémico de su alumbramiento, el nuevo Estado vio la luz con graves problemas para su consolidación, entre la presencia de una serie de intrigantes españoles, que tramarían la contrarrevolución, y el peligroso empoderamiento de la clase militar. Ambos elementos determinarían los escasos meses de existencia del imperio, y aunados a la escasez de recursos y los errores propios del emperador, harían caer en marzo de 1823 el primer gobierno independiente de México.
Effects of sputtering pressure on the growth of AlGaN thin films using Co-sputtering technique
Authors: Othman Nur Afiqah , Nayan Nafarizal , Kamarulzaki Mohd , Azman Zulkifli , Bakar Shuhaimi Abu , Mamat Mohd , Mohd Yusop Mohd Zamri , Ahmade Mohd Yazid
Published: December 2023

Aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) thin films provide promise for a variety of electronic devices due to their wide energy bandgap, which ranges from 3.11 – 6.40 eV. Here, a co-sputtering approach utilising the RF and HiPIMS power supply of magnetron sputtering is used to deposit the AlGaN thin films. To examine their impact on the structural characteristics and morphology of the thin films, the AlGaN thin films were deposited under various sputtering pressures using the co-sputtering technique. Following that, the films were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and surface profiling to determine their characteristics. XRD shows the polycrystalline AlGaN with (100), (101), (102), and (110) plane for the AlGaN deposited at a sputtering pressure of 3 mTorr and 5 mTorr with FWHM 0.622° and 0.732°, respectively. The increasing the sputtering pressure to 5 mTorr is found to improve the crystallinity as well as the thickness of the AlGaN thin films from 234.27 – 1479.37 nm. AFM examination of the AlGaN film revealed a trend of increasing roughness and grain size together up to 3.25 nm and 47.22 nm respectively, with rising sputtering pressure from 1 – 7 mTorr. The co-sputtering of AlGaN can be successfully demonstrated in this study, and it is also shown that the sputtering pressure has a substantial impact on the development of AlGaN thin films produced using this technology.
Helosciadium crassipes Koch (Apiaceae) extracts as natural sunscreen and preservative additives
Authors: MAKHLOUFI El-Hani , LEFAHAL Mostefa , AYAD Radia , CAKMAK Yavuz S. , NIETO Gema , AKKAL Salah
Published: December 2023

Recently, ingredients derived from natural sources have gained increasing interest in the cosmetic field due to their low toxicity. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the cosmetic potential of Helosciadium crassipes Koch (Apiaceae) species growing in Algeria as a promising natural preservative and broad-spectrum UV protection additive. In our study, the in-vitro antioxidant effect was assessed via DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity by phosphomolybdenum method (TAC), while the protection against UVB radiation was evaluated according to the sun protection factor (SPF) by using UV spectroscopic technic at wavelengths ranging from 290 to 320 nm and Mansur’s equation, for the photoprotective effect against long-wavelength UVA, UVA/UVB and critical wavelength (λc) parameters were evaluated. The outcomes showed that among the tested extracts, the methanolic extract (MeOH) contains high levels of phenolics and flavonoids, and possesses a significant antioxidant effect, particularly in DPPH radical scavenging assay. Similarly, this last one exhibited high photoprotective activity in UVB and UVA ranges. The gathered results reveal the possibility of using this extract as a good natural additive to be incorporated into cosmetic formulations as a broad-spectrum UV protection candidate and as a preservative agent.
Identification and transcriptome analysis of the R2R3-MYB gene family in Haloxylon ammodendron
Authors: ZHOU Guohui , REN Yanping , MA Li , CHENG Cong , WANG Bo , YAO Zhengpei , LI Shanshan , TAO Meini , ZHAO Yue , LI Zhiqiang , ZHANG Hua
Published: December 2023

The MYB transcription factor family is widespread in plants and plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as in plant responses to stress. The MYB transcription factor family has been identified in a variety of organisms; however, it has not been identified and analysed in the desert plant Haloxylon ammodendron. In this study, R2R3-MYB genes were identified and analysed using a bioinformatic approach. A total of 78 R2R3-MYB genes were identified and named according to their position on the chromosome. The R2R3-MYB genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HaMYB genes were all divided into 31 subfamilies. Covariance analysis revealed the presence of three pairs of fragmentary duplicated genes in H. ammodendron (HaMYB54 and HaMYB17, HaMYB44 and HaMYB36, HaMYB42 and HaMYB27). Gene structure and conserved structural domain analysis revealed different subgroups with different orders of magnitude of variation in gene structures and conserved structural domains. Analysis of cis-elements showed that the cis-acting elements of HaMYBs were mainly associated with hormone and abiotic stress responses. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of HaR2R3-MYB genes, and six HaR2R3-MYB genes were found to respond to salt stress and six HaR2R3-MYB genes to drought stress, with HaMYB22 and HaMYB27 showing upregulated expression under both stresses. Transcriptome analysis showed that HaMYB63 was significantly differentially expressed in the assimilated branches of H. ammodendron, and the subcellular localization of this protein showed that it was located in the nucleus and had transcriptional self-activating activity. These results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the functions of the R2R3-MYB gene family and the molecular mechanisms of resistance in H. ammodendron.
Cerebellovestibular projection from the posterior lobe cortex in the rabbit: an experimental study with the retrograde HRP method. I. Topographical relationships
Authors: Bukowska Dorota
Published: December 2023

The sources of corticovestibular projections from the cerebellar posterior lobe vermis and hemisphere in the rabbit were investigated by the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing method. Following iontophoretic injections into various subdivisions of the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC), labelled Purkinje neurones were identified ipsilaterally in all vermallobules (VI through IX) and some regions of the hemisphere. The results indicate that projection is profuse and directed to all four nuclei of VNC. The labelling suggests some topographical relationships between lobules and especially sublobules of the posterior lobe and individual nuclei of VNC. The major projection originates from lobules VI and IX. A moderate projection derives from lobule VIII whereas that from lobule VII is small. Projections from the hemisphere arise mainly from crus I and crus II of the ansiform lobule. Those from the copula pyramidis, lobule HV and the ventral paraflocculus are sparse. In the present study a topographical relationships were more precisely established than before because the technique revealed VNC afferents from individual sublobules of the cerebellar posterior lobe cortex.
Cerebellovestibular projection from the posterior lobe cortex in the rabbit: an experimental study with the retrograde HRP method. II. Zonal organization
Authors: Bukowska Dorota
Published: December 2023

The mediolateral distribution of neurones of origin of the corticovestibular projection from the cerebellar posterior lobe in the rabbit was studied with the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing method. After iontophoretic injections confined to various subdivisions of the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) labelled Purkinje neurones were found ipsilaterally in widespread mediolateral cortical regions of vermallobules from VI to IX, as well as in crus I and crus II of the ansiform lobule, the copula pyramidis, lobule HV and the ventral paraflocculus. However, when projections from individual sublobules were examined, a clearly visible zonal pattern was found. Thus, Purkinje neurones projecting to VNC were arranged in longitudinal bands with medial and lateral boundaries quite well demarcated. These bands had a different width and were found to be located at different distances from the midline. The present findings constitute the first indication of a zonal organization of corticovestibular projections from individual sublobules of the cerebellar posterior lobe in the rabbit. This zonal arrangement of VNC afferents is discussed with the special emphasis on the cerebellar longitudunal zones and related to previous studies on other species.
The effects of glutamate iontophoresis on single cell responses and inter-neuronal interactions in the kitten visual cortex
Authors: Michalski Andrzej , Kraszewski Kajetan
Published: December 2023

We studied the effect of glutamate (Glu) micro-iontophoresis on visual responses (PSTHs) and cross-correlograms of neurones recorded simultaneously in the cortex of 4–6 weeks old kittens. PSTHs and cross-correlograms were tested before, during and after Glu injections and compared with adult cats data from previous experiment. Before the injection cross-correlogram shapes and numbers did not differ in young and adult cats, whereas PSTHs differed dramatically. Glu iontophoresis typically elevated background PSTHs levels rather than peak responses in young kittens. In adult animals the opposite effect predominated. After the termination of iontophoresis visual responses were enhanced in 21% of kitten neurones. In adult cats this effect was not observed. In kittens, a clear increase of cross-correlogram strength was recorded in one neuronal pair (3.6%) after the injection terminated. In adult cats similar effect was also found in 3% of pairs.
Responses of cat's dorsal hippocampal neurons to moving visual stimuli
Authors: Kazarian Anahit , Hekimian Armenui , Harutiunian-Kozak Bella , Grigorian Gajane , Kozak Julius , Markarian Tigran
Published: December 2023

Response properties of visually driven neurones in the cat's hippocampal region were investigated. Out of 688 single cells observed 181 (26%) were visually driven. Ocular dominance was determined for 147 of those cells, 90 of which were driven only by the contralateral eye, 20 were driven exclusively by ipsilateral eye and 37 neurones could be activated by both eyes. Receptive field boundaries were outlined for 157; 152 of those neurones were movement-sensitive, and 125 neurones were sensitive to stationary stimuli. A small group of neurones (13%) showed more pronounced reactions to the vertical direction of motion. Some neurones (22%) revealed sensitivity to the shape and size of the applied visual stimuli. These results confirmed earlier data indicating that visually driven neurones in hippocampal region possess complex properties. They are probably involved in a higher level of visual information processing.
Effect of the cholinesterase-inhibiting substance galanthamine on evoked visual potentials in rats
Authors: Lewandowski Marian , Żmuda Lucyna
Published: December 2023

We studied the effect of intravenous injection of the cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine (GAL) in doses from 0.025 to 5.0 mg/kg on electrically evoked field potentials in rat visual cortex. In all the experiments the amplitude of late components of evoked potentials was significantly reduced, while early components remained unaffected. These findings indicate that cortical cells are inhibited by acetylcholine (ACh). Furthermore, combined application of a muscarinic receptor blocker (atropine) and GAL reliably suppressed the effects of galanthamine. These observations suggest that ACh-induced inhibition may be mediated by activation of GABAergic interneurones that possess muscarinic receptors.
Variability analysis of visual evoked potentials in humans by pattern recognition in phase domain
Authors: Achimowicz Jerzy
Published: December 2023

A novel approach to single trial visually evoked potentials (VEP) variability analysis based on a new model of post-stimulus brain electrical activity is presented. The convolution model introduced by the author is experimentally verified by the analysis of flash stimulus effects on EEG amplitude and phase spectra. Pattern recognition in the signal phase domain is proposed for detection of any time locked transient signals. This is illustrated by an application of a clustering algorithm in two-dimensional unwrapped phase of EEG Fourier transform space for occipitally recorded VEPs in human subjects.
Bilateral lesions of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus affect feeding induced by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area
Authors: Trojniar Weronika , Staszewska Małgorzata
Published: December 2023

The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPN) is anatomically connected with dopaminergic cells in the ventral mesencephalon, which are known to participate in the regulation of various adaptive appetitive behaviours. In the present experiment we studied a possible involvement of PPN in feeding elicited by stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). It was found that bilateral electrolytic lesioning of the PPN affected VTA-elicited feeding. However, the effects were diverse and showed dependence on the localization of the lesion within the PPN area. Lesions localized anteriorly in the PPN impaired VTA feeding whereas those involving the middle portion of the nucleus facilitated electrically elicited food ingestion. A precise alignment of the lesion and the area activated at the site of stimulation appeared crucial for the effect of the lesion. The results indicate that PPN belongs to the central feeding circuitry and it contains both activating and inhibiting elements directed to the ventral tegmental area.
Investigation of coherence structure and EEG activity propagation during sleep
Authors: Kamiński Maciej , Blinowska Katarzyna , Szelenberger Waldemar
Published: December 2023

Overnight sleep EEG recorded from 21 derivations was studied for 7 subjects (4 normal and 3 depressive). The multichannel autoregressive model was fitted to all 21 channels simultaneously. Ordinary, multiple and partial coherencies and directed transfer function were estimated for sleep stages and wakefulness. Ordinary coherencies give rather trivial information that coherence decreases with the distance. Partial coherencies revealed specific structure to a large degree repeatable for studied subjects. Study of directed transfer function made possible the identification of main centres from which EEG activity is spreading during sleep. An EEG analysis, based on treating signals as a realization of one process and on simultaneous (not pair-wise) evaluation of time series, offers new possibilities in the investigation of synchronization and functional relations in brains.
Temporal dynamics and regional distribution of [14C]serine uptake into mouse brain
Authors: Woronczak Jan , Siucińska Ewa , Kossut Małgorzata , Barańska Jolanta
Published: December 2023

In order to examine the uptake of L-serine into brain structures and brain metabolic compartments, L-[U-14C] serine was injected into tail vein of mice. The uptake was examined 30 min, 90 min, 3 hand 5 h after injection by both quantitative autoradiography of coronal brain sections and by biochemical analysis. Brain radioactivity was extracted and partitioned into protein associated pellets, metabolites soluble in aqueous phase and lipids soluble in the organic phase. Most of the radioactivity was found in the aqueous phase, about 10% was incorporated into lipids. Among phospholipids the highest label was found in phosphatidylserine, then in phosphatidylethanolamine and in phosphatidy1choline, it amounted to 52%, 30% and 18% of label by 90 min after injection, respectively. The brain distribution of L-serine uptake resembled that described for strychnine-insensitive [3H]glycine binding, with cortical structures being preferentially labelled.
Estimation of the distribution of the EMG signal amplitude
Authors: Jeleń Piotr , Sławińska Urszula
Published: December 2023

Quantitative analysis of electromyographic (EMG) data still demands new methods. One of the methods is based on counting occurrences of signal crossings of "noise level" (per time unit). This provides an estimator of the so called "aggregate activity." These data can be obtained by a spike trigger connected to a computer. Comparison of total activity of firing motor units in intact and affected muscles may give important information about the neuromuscular system in norm and pathology. The aggregate activity method does not seem, however, to be completely objective, because its results depend on the value of noise level selected by the experimenter. Thus, we propose a modification that allows: (1) quantitative estimation of how the results obtained with the aggregate activity method depend on the value of selected level, and (2) assessment of the distribution of the EMG signal amplitude - i.e., appearance of particular height spikes in the signal. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed in the context of two experimental models.
Trimethyltin-induced plastic neuronal changes in rat hippocampus are accompanied by astrocytic trophic activity
Authors: Koczyk Danuta , Skup Małgorzata , Zaremba Małgorzata , Oderfeld-Nowak Barbara
Published: December 2023

Partial deafferentation of the hippocampus due to trimethyltin (TMT) intoxication has been reported to induce plastic rearrangements of neuronal elements but the factors that direct these responses are unknown. To assess the possible involvement of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the phenomenon we evaluated the presumable changes in the expression pattern of NGF immunoreactivity (NGF-IR) in rat hippocampus 21 days after administration of TMT (8 mg/kg, i.p.) when reactive changes are fully developed. Immunolabelling for TrkA known to mediate biological effects of NGF and for GFAP to identify astroglial cells as a one of presumed source of postinjury produced factors was carried out on adjacent sections to establish the relation between expression of these proteins. In control hippocampus NGF- IR and TrkA-IR were localized in neurons and/or neuropil. After exposure to TMT remarkable non-neuronal expression of both proteins was observed. The distribution pattern of NGF, TrkA and GFAP overlapped suggesting that reactive astrocytes may not only produce NGF but also may become responsive to this neurotrophin. Zones of extensive NGF and TrkA astroglial expression corresponded to areas of axonal-dendritic rearrangements reported earlier. The data suggest that astroglia-derived trophic activity may be involved in neuronal plastic events associated with treatment with TMT.
Chromatin structure and transcriptional activity of MAG gene
Authors: Konat Gregory
Published: December 2023

Myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) is an essential component of the periaxonal architecture of the myelin sheath. Because of its potent neurite growth repressive activity, MAG is also likely to play an important role in axonal guidance during the CNS development, and to be responsible for abortive neuronal regeneration in adult CNS. The MAG gene chromatin from approximately -1.6 to +0.6 kb features MNase hypersensitivity that may delineate the gene control region. The proximal upstream region of the gene is organized into an array of five nucleosomes with hypersensitive linkers. The core promoter is located within the first upstream linker that becomes highly hypersensitive in the course of oligodendrocyte differentiation. The adjacent upstream region contains positive and negative enhancers that are likely to streamline oligodendrocyte specific expression of the gene. The TATA-less core promoter contains novel, as yet uncharacterized initiator elements that direct the assembly of transcriptional complexes. The promoter appears to be controlled by both, the addition of activating trans-factors and the removal of inhibitory trans-factors as progenitor cells differentiate into mature oligodendrocyte. The developmental activation of the gene is also concomitant with profound DNA demethylation that may provide auxiliary regulatory mechanisms. Hence, the upregulation of the MAG gene in differentiating oligodendrocytes entails chromatin remodeling as well as changes in the assortment of nuclear trans-factors.
Functional reorganization of the partially denervated hindlimb extensor and flexor muscle in rat
Authors: Sławińska Urszula , Tyč François , Kasicki Stefan , Vrbová Gerta
Published: December 2023

In view of the neuromuscular system plasticity the functional changes induced by partial denervation are presented. The long-term effects of partial denervation of postural (soleus - SOL) or flexor (extensor digitorum longus - EDL) muscles on their EMG activity were studied in rats. The activity per motor unit was significantly higher both in the partially denervated SOL and EDL muscles. During standing or walking the EMG activity pattern of the partially denervated SOL muscle was similar to normal, while the partially denervated EDL muscle during standing exhibited abnormal tonic activity, and during locomotion its burst duration was strongly correlated to the step cycle duration. Thus, partial denervation led to an overall increase of activity of the remaining motor units in both SOL and EDL muscles, while the temporal pattern of muscle activity during locomotion was drastically altered in EDL muscle only, what indicates that partial denervation influenced the postural activity less than the phasic one.
Sphingosine stimulates calcium mobilization and modulates calcium signals evoked by thapsigargin in glioma C6 cells
Authors: Sabała Paweł , Wiktorek Magdalena , Czarny Małgorzata , Chaban Viktor , Barańska Jolanta
Published: December 2023

The effect of sphingosine on intracellular calcium signalling in glioma C6 cells was studied with Fura-2 video imaging technique. Sphingosine had a direct effect on changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration only when applied at a high concentration of 100 microM, causing the cytosolic Ca2+ level to rise. However, at a much lower concentration of 15 microM sphingosine diminished calcium responses triggered by thapsigargin (a specific inhibitor of calcium pump in the endoplasmic reticulum) and ionomycin (calcium ionophore). Since responses to thapsigargin and ionomycin were blocked in Ca2+-free medium, we postulate that sphingosine is acting on the intracellular calcium stores. Additionally, sphingosine (at 15 microM and 100 microM) markedly decreases thapsigargin-induced sustained elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, indicating its inhibitory effect on thapsigargin-evoked Ca2+ influx. Sphingosine is a known inhibitor of protein kinase C and the involvement of this enzyme is postulated in the modulatory effects of sphingosine on intracellular calcium dynamics.
Dendritic pattern in mouse barrel field after a neonatal vibrissal follicles removal: MAP-2 immunohistochemistry
Authors: Majewska Barbara , Skangiel-Kramska Jolanta
Published: December 2023

A distribution of dendrites was studied in mouse barrel field after a neonatal unilateral partial lesion of vibrissal follicles using anti-MAP-2 immunohistochemistry. The effect of a neonatal vibrissal follicles removal was studied in adult mice: barrels corresponding to intact follicles were enlarged whereas those representing removed follicles had not developed. MAP-2 immunopositive profiles were considered to be dendritic clusters and their packing density (a number per unit area) was calculated in an enlarged barrel and compared to a control barrel in a contralateral hemisphere. A decrease in the packing density oflarge dendritic clusters (area over 10 micrometers sq.), presumably arising from layer V, was observed in an enlarged barrel in comparison to its control counterpart. This result may indicate a rearrangement of a dendritic pattern in mouse barrel field after a selective neonatal lesion of vibrissal follicles.
The neurochemistry of the GnRH pulse generator
Authors: Wuttke Wolfgang , Jarry Hubertus , Feleder Carlos , Moguilevsky Jaime , Leonhardt Sabine , Seong Jae , Kim Kyungjin
Published: December 2023

We review the crucial role of the two neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) and GABA in eliciting GnRH pulses. NE acts via an alpha1-receptor mechanism and also GABA acts at the alpha-subtype of the GABA receptor. The function of NE appears to be induction of phasic activation of GnRH neurons and GABA inhibits GnRH neurons tonically until they are all ready for phasic activation. By an unknown mechanism preoptic GABA release is dramatically reduced which causes simultaneous desinhibition of the GnRH neurons. Hence they release their product into the portal vessels simultaneously which is the appropriate signal for the pituitary ganodotrophs. The action of norepinephrine and GABA is most likely exerted at the perikarya level of the GnRH neurons since the alpha1-adreno receptor blocker doxazosin and GABA inhibit GnRH secretion only when applied into the medial preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (where in the rat brain the GnRH perikarya are located). Utilizing a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrate furthermore that GnRH receptors are present in the mediobasal hypothalamus as well as in the preoptic area of rats: Their function appears to serve autoinhibitory purposes since Buserelin added to medium significantly decreased GnRH release. Simultaneously, the release of GABA was increased and that of glutamate decreased. We conclude from these experiments that GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the hypothalamus may also be GnRH-receptive.
Biosynthesis of gonadotropins in vivo
Authors: Kochman Kazimierz , Gajewska Alina
Published: December 2023

GnRH is potent stimulator of gonadotropin's alpha and beta chains synthesis in vivo. Stimulation of LHbeta gene transcription requires pulsatile GnRH administration but the transcription of alpha subunit can be stimulated independently of GnRH mode of administration. Castration increases whereas in vivo estradiol and testosterone replacement decreases the rate of gene transcription of pituitary gonadotropin subunits. Thyroid hormones can enhance or diminish the pituitary levels of LHbeta and FSHbeta subunit mRNAs in female rats. Inhibin, activin and follistatin were shown to be potent regulators of FSHbeta gene expression.
Stress and nutritional influences on GnRH and somatostatin neuronal systems in the ewe
Authors: Polkowska Jolanta
Published: December 2023

The effect of stressful stimulation and protein malnutrition on the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic axis of sheep is discussed with special references to the relationship between these stimuli and the GnRH and somatostatin neuronal systems in the hypothalamus. Generally, long-term stimulation and chronic underfeeding reduce gonadal functions in the sheep. There is evidence for the GnRH-dependent pathway for the mechanism of these phenomena in female sheep. GnRH neurons respond to long-term stress in diminishing of neuropeptide release from the nerve terminals due to the depression of its axonal transport. Chronic restriction of dietary proteins in lambs reduces the plasma LH concentrations but does not impair the development of GnRH neurons nor the synthesis and processing of GnRH. It is suggested that malnutrition delays the first ovulation probably due to the neural mechanism responsible for the preovulatory GnRH/LH output. Stress has rather unclear effect on growth hormone (GH) secretion in the sheep. Prolonged, but not short stressful stimulation provokes the rapid release of somatostatin, which is sustained during long-term stimulation. These results suggest that effect of stress on somatotrophic axis depends on the period of stressful stimulation. Chronic malnutrition enhances secretion of GH by an increase in amplitude of GH pulses and reduces the secretory activity of somatostatin neurons. It is postulated that nutrients can influence GH secretion in the sheep by mechanism dependent on the hypothalamic somatostatin.
The role of pulmonary stretch receptor activation during cough in dogs
Authors: Romaniuk Jarosław , Kowalski Krzysztof , Dick Thomas
Published: December 2023

The role of pulmonary stretch receptors in the modulation of expiratory muscle activity during cough is controversial. To evaluate their potential influence on expiratory effort during cough, we compared expiratory muscle activity during unobstructed cough to that during obstructed cough in which the trachea was occluded at the end-inspiration and maintained throughout the subsequent expiration. Cough was evoked by mechanical stimulation of the intrathoracic trachea in 9 anesthetized, tracheotomized dogs. Peak triangularis sterni (TS), internal intercostal (IIC) and transversus abdominis (TA) muscle EMG were monitored to assess both rib cage and abdominal muscle activation during expiration. During cough, expiratory activity increased and peak activity shifted from Stage II to Stage I expiration. Peak expiratory muscle activation during unobstructed and occluded coughs were not significantly different: during unobstructed coughs, peak EMG's (mean +/- SE as percent of resting breathing) were TS, 212 +/- 18; IIC, 425 +/- 72; TA, 406 +/- 66; and during obstructed cough: TS, 188 +/- 24; IIC, 365 +/- 44; TA, 387 +/- 77 (n=9). These data indicate that enhanced vagal stimulation resulting from airway occlusion does not affect expiratory activity during cough. We suggest that during cough, the expiratory muscles are activated in a stereotypical pattern by the neural network generating the cough and this pattern of activation is not affected by phasic vagal input.
Molecular analysis of prion protein (PrP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) transcripts in experimental Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in mice
Authors: Kordek Radzislaw , Liberski Pawel , Yanagihara Richard , Isaacson Stuart , Gajdusek D.
Published: December 2023

Prion protein (PrPsc) which accumulates in the brains affected with subacute spongiform encephalopathies (SSE) is altered isoform of normal, cellular isoform (PrPc), and PrP deposition is accompanied with spongiosis and astrogliosis. To find the amounts of PrP and GFAP transcripts during progression of experimental Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease we performed comparative RT-PCR on the terminally sick mice brains, 22 weeks following inoculation with Fujisaki strain of CJD agent, and on control brains. The intensity of bands for PrP-mRNA and control beta-actin were similar for infected and uninfected brains, while amounts of transcripts for GFAP increased as for cytokines released by glial cells - TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha. This study supports thesis that PrPc to PrPsc conversion is post-translational process not related to PrP overproduction. Increased amounts of GFAP-mRNA during the course of the disease correlated with astrocytosis estimated by immunohistochemistry with anti-GFAP antibody.
Lamina IVVI neurones of the second sacral segment projecting to the sixth cervical segment of the cat's spinal cord
Authors: Mrówczyński Wlodzimierz
Published: December 2023

Cervical projections of neurones located in the second sacral segment of the spinal cord were electrophysiologically investigated in 12 adult cats under alpha-chloralose anaesthesia. Extracellular or intracellular antidromic potentials from 41 neurones following stimulation of their axons in the spinal grey matter in the C6 segment brought evidence of sacro-cervical connections. Cell bodies of the investigated neurones were found mainly in the medial part of laminae IV, V and VI. Axons of these neurones ran in lateral funiculi, mostly in their dorsal parts (dlf), Most of the axons (26) ascended bilaterally. Fibres of 15 cells ran unilaterally – on the ipsilateral (13) or the contralateral side (2). Conduction velocites ofaxons measured between S2 and C6 segments were in the range from 38.4 to 69.1 m/s. It is suggested that these neurones may play an important role in movement coordination between hindlimbs and forelimbs.
Controversies about iron in parkinsonian and control substantia nigra
Authors: Gałązka-Friedman Jolanta , Friedman Andrzej
Published: December 2023

According to the oxidative stress theory iron may play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, as e.g. Parkinson's disease (PD). This review presents the results of studies, obtained by various methods, of iron in substantia nigra (SN) – a cerebral structure which degenerates in PD – and shows controversies concerning the amount of iron, its redox state, and the iron binding compounds. Taking into account all published experimental results, the increase in the concentration of iron in parkinsonian SN vs. control may be estimated as (3 +/- 5%). The presence of large amounts of divalent iron in post mortem SN can be unequivocally negated. It is, however, still possible that iron is involved in the pathogenesis of PD, as even minor changes in the amount and form of iron may initiate processes leading to cells death.
Acute lead toxicity and energy metabolism in rat brain synaptosomes
Authors: Strużyńska Lidia , Dąbrowska-Bouta Beata , Rafałowska Urszula
Published: December 2023

Although the neurotoxic effects of lead (Pb) are well documented, the subcellular mechanisms of its action in the central nervous system are not fully understood. The present work examined some parameters of energy metabolism in nerve endings of the brains of adult rats exposed to Pb. We applied the model of acute Pb toxicity in vivo, imitating the acute action of lead observed in occupationally exposed workers or in occasional incidents of poisoning. The measurement of Pb levels in the synaptosomal fraction exhibited its significant accumulation under applied conditions. Oxygen consumption increased in synaptosomes from Pb-treated rats whereas the activity of cytochrome c oxidase did not change. The intrasynaptosomal levels of ATP and CrP were significantly elevated, as was the activity of creatine kinase, suggesting the activation of the CrP/CK system. On the other hand, the activity of the synaptosomal Na+,K(+)-ATP-ase decreased. We suggest that under acute Pb toxicity conditions the mobiliaztion of CrP/CK system may take place to protect the cell against the effects of decreased Na+,K(+)-ATP-ase activity.
Changes in the central respiratory rhythm following pharmacological blockade of the nucleus parabrachialis medialis in the rabbit
Authors: Gromysz Henryk
Published: December 2023

Experiments were performed in halothane-anesthetized, paralyzed, bilaterally vagotomized and artificially ventilated rabbits. Arterial blood pressure, expiratory carbon dioxide concentration, and electrical activity of the right phrenic nerve were recorded prior to and after xylocaine microinjection to the left nucleus parabrachialis medialis (NPBM). The location ofthe xylocaine blockade was verified histologically. It was found that blockade of the NPBM results in a decelerated respiratory rhythm due to lengthening of both phases of the respiratory cycle. These results do not corroborate the role of NPBM in the regulation of respiration as postulated by Bertrand and Hugelin (1971).
Protein kinase C expression and activity in the human brain after ischaemic stroke
Authors: Krupiński Jerzy , Kumar Mark , Gaffney John , Kałuża Józef
Published: December 2023

We examined the expression of protein kinase C isoforms in infarcted tissue, penumbra and contralateral brain tissue from 10 patients who died between 1–52 days after ischaemic stroke. Ten patients aged 61–89 years were used in the study. Tissue samples were assayed for protein kinase C activity using a non-radioactive method, and specific isoforms expression determined by Western blotting and staining with anti-PKC polyclonal antibodies. There was a 2–24 fold increase in PKCgamma in the ischaemic penumbra of nine out of 10 patients compared to contralateral tissue. In infarcted tissue expression of PKCgamma was not significantly changed in any of 10 samples but the betaI isoform increased in eight and the betaII in nine patients. There was no significant change in expression in PKCalpha or in infarct or penumbra. Differences in total PKC activity were not specific in seven out of eight patients and it is difficult to estimate their significance. In conclusion after ischaemia there was an altered expression of PKC isoforms with an increase of PKCgamma in the surviving penumbra and betaI and betaII in the infarcted core.
Mild hypothermia prevents the occurrence of cytotoxic brain edema in rats
Authors: Schwab Matthias , Bauer Reinhard , Zwiener Ulrich
Published: December 2023

Hypothermia maintains the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier to proteins and, therefore, presumably the development of vasogenic brain edema after brain ischemia. We intended to determine whether mild hypothermia would have a protective effect against cytotoxic brain edema, the early stage of ischemic brain edema. Two groups of Wistar rats (37 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius body temperature) were subjected to 6 h of moderate decrease of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by means of permanent bilateral carotid artery ligation, and compared to a third group of unaffected animals. Carotid artery ligation induced a local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) reduction to 50–80% of baseline values. LCBF in the frontal cortex was restored to a higher level in hypothermic animals than in normothermic ones (P
Involvement of the lateral and dorsolateral amygdala in conditioned stimulus modality dependent two-way avoidance performance in rats
Authors: Werka Tomasz
Published: December 2023

Post-lesion learning and performance of shuttle-box avoidance and subsequent transfer to two warning signals (CSs) of different modality were investigated in 27 rats subjected either to a sham lesion (Group NORM), electrolytic injuries of the lateral amygdaloid nucleus (Group LAT), or combined lesions of the amygdalostriatal transition area and dorsolateral amygdala (Group D-LAT). All groups were divided into two subgroups according to warning signal sequences. In the first subgroup (D-DN-N sequence) the subjects were initially trained with the visual CS (darkness - D), then transferred to the more salient visual and auditory compound CS (darkness and noise – DN), and finally to the auditory CS alone (noise – N). The opposite arrangement of the CSs (N-ND-D sequence) was employed in the second subgroup. A small interference with shuttle-box learning, and no transfer deficit were seen in Group LAT, whereas D- LAT rats showed dramatically slow and inconsistent acquisition of avoidance responding followed by rapid weakening of performance during the training. In contrast to controls, in both lesioned groups avoidance and intertrial responding (ITR) were independent of the CS modality changes. The results indicate differential involvement of the lateral, and also of the dorsolateral amygdala, and amygdalostriatal transition area in CS processing, as well as in the mechanisms related to consolidation of the associations created during avoidance training.