Possible involvement of PKC/MAPK pathway in the regulation of GnRH by dietary arachidonic acid in the brain of male tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

Our previous studies have indicated that dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) significantly affects the gonadal steroidogenesis in the marine teleost tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis, and this effect was more positive in male fish than in female fish (Aquaculture, 468, 378–385). As a following up study, the present study was further aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms in the brain mediating the effects of dietary ARA on gonadal steroidogenesis. A 70‐day feed trial was repeated with two‐year‐old tongue sole, using three experimental diets with graded levels of ARA, 0.34%, 2.53%, and 9.63% of total fatty acids. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 23 fish (15 males and 8 females). The results confirmed the positive effect of dietary ARA on testosterone production in male fish. The concentration of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) in serum responded to dietary ARA in a similar pattern with the testosterone concentration, but the concentration of gonadotrophin in serum was not affected by dietary ARA. The response of gene expression of PKCβ, ARRB1, ARRB2, ERK2 and ATF3 in the brain to dietary ARA was in good agreement with those of GnRH and testosterone, indicating the possible involvement of PKC‐ARRB‐ERK‐ATF3 pathway in signalling transduction of GnRH. However, the PI3K/Akt and TLR/NF‐κB pathways may not be directly involved in the regulation of GnRH metabolism by ARA. This is the first study reporting the possible involvement of PKC/MAPK pathways in regulation of reproductive endocrine processes by long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in brain of marine fish.     

INTRAARTERIAL INJECTION OF IODINATED CONTRAST MEDIUM FOR CONTRAST ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE HEAD

Minimizing the volume of contrast administered for contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the equine head is desirable for reducing costs and risks of adverse reactions, however evidence‐based studies on the effects of varying volumes on image quality are currently lacking. The objective of the current study was to determine whether low‐volume intraarterial administration of contrast medium would result in an equivalent image quality and tissue attenuation vs. high‐volume intravenous bolus administration. A prospective cross‐over experimental design was used in a sample of six horses. After anesthetic induction, the right carotid artery was exposed surgically and catheterized. Four CT scans of the cranium were performed for each horse: baseline, immediately following intraarterial contrast injection, five‐min postinjection (return to baseline) and a final scan after intravenous contrast administration. Soft tissue attenuation in predetermined regions of interest (ROI); and length, width, and height measurements of the pituitary gland were recorded at each time point. Horses were euthanized and measurements of the pituitary gland were repeated postmortem. No adverse reactions to contrast administration were observed. Intraarterial and intravenous administration of contrast medium resulted in significantly greater soft tissue enhancement of some brain ROI's and the pituitary gland vs. baseline values. Pituitary gland measurements made on postcontrast CT images did not differ from those obtained during postmortem examination. Findings indicated that low‐dose intraarterial administration of contrast material in the equine head resulted in comparable soft tissue enhancement vs. high volume intravenous administration.     

Using fish models to investigate the links between microbiome and social behaviour: The next step for translational microbiome research?

Recent research has revealed surprisingly important connections between animals’ microbiome and social behaviour. Social interactions can affect the composition and function of the microbiome; conversely, the microbiome affects social communication by influencing the hosts’ central nervous system and peripheral chemical communication. These discoveries set the stage for novel research focusing on the evolution and physiology of animal social behaviour in relation to microbial transmission strategies. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of teleost fish models and their potential for advancing research fields, linked to sociality and microbial regulation. We argue that fish models, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio, Cyprinidae), sticklebacks (?Gasterosteidae), guppies (Poeciliidae) and cleaner–client dyads (e.g., obligate cleaner fish from the Labridae and Gobiidae families and their visiting clientele), will provide valuable insights into the roles of microbiome in shaping social behaviour and vice versa, while also being of direct relevance to the food and ornamental fish trades. The diversity of fish behaviour warrants more interdisciplinary research, including microbiome studies, which should have a strong ecological (field‐derived) approach, together with laboratory‐based cognitive and neurobiological experimentation. The implications of such integrated approaches may be of translational relevance, opening new avenues for future investigation using fish models.     

Abnormally modified tau and hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

Tau is the most abundant microtubule-associated protein in the brain. If tau protein lost the normal function, the toxic effect should be showed and plays an important role in various central nervous system lesions. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of mortality in the neonatal period and it is mainly characterized by neurological deficits such as cognitive limitations. However, the mechanism still needs further study, and the underlying relationship between tau protein and HIE lacks direct evidence. Some recent clinical study reported that tau protein expression elevated in the serum of asphyxia children and had a high correlation with behavior deficient. In this review, we focus on 3 key points to provide new insights to understand the tau protein-related pathogenesis of HIE as followed: (1) tau protein and its phosphorylation change during central nervous system development; (2) comparison of tau protein expression in developing brain and adult brain under some neurological disorders; (3) potential pathological change of tau in HIE related pathological conditions, such as dysmyelination, inflammation response and glutamate metabolism.     

Astrocyte activity and autophagy after radiation-induced brain injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the activity of astrocytes and autophagy-related changes after radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) in rats.METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180~200 g, were trained for 4 d in the Morris water maze. They were randomly divided into sham group, model group and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group. The rats in model group and 3-MA group were given single whole-brain X-ray irradiation at a dose of 20 Gy after intraperitoneal anesthesia. After the irradiation was completed, the rats in model group was given 5 μL of NaCl into the lateral ventricle, and the rats in 3-MA group was injected with 3-MA at 600 nmol into the lateral ventricle. After 8 weeks of feeding, Morris water maze was used for measuring the learning and memory abilities. The brain tissues were taken and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the hippocampus. The protein level of GFAP was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot for evaluating astrocyte activity. Dual fluorescence staining of GFAP and LC3 was performed for evaluating the changes of autophagy in the astrocytes. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 detected by Western blot and TUNEL staining in the ipsilateral hippocampus were used to evaluate the apoptosis. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined by ELISA to assess the inflammatory response in the hippocampus.RESULTS: Radiation inhibited astrocyte activity, activated autophagy in astrocytes, and aggravated brain damage. 3-MA promoted the activation of astrocytes and promoted the repair of brain tissue damage.CONCLUSION: The injury of rat hippocampus after radiation is obvious, and the number of astrocytes is significantly reduced. 3-MA significantly attenuates the damage. This finding may provide a new approach for the treatment of radiation-induced brain injury.     

Research Advances in Escherichia coli K1 Penetration Across Blood-brain Barrier

E.coli K1 strain is a representative strain of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, which causes disease by blood circulation to the brain. The molecular mechanism of E.coli K1 that adhering and invading the brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) has been focused on by many scholars. In this review, we focused on the gene regulation mechanisms and signaling pathway of E.coli K1 crossing the blood brain barrier to understand the molecular mechanism of the infection caused by E.coli and provide reference for prevention and treatment programs.     

弓形虫卵囊感染小鼠的急性期与慢性期的脑组织蛋白质组变化

弓形虫是一种呈世界性分布的机会性致病原虫,可引起致命性脑炎。人弓形虫病急性感染往往与弓形虫卵囊污染密切相关。探究弓形虫卵囊感染对宿主的致病机制和防控弓形虫病具有重要意义。因此,本研究利用iTRAQ技术,结合2D-LC-MS/MS分析弓形虫PRU虫株卵囊急、慢性感染小鼠后,其脑组织蛋白质的差异表达情况。结果表明,在急性感染期和慢性感染期小鼠脑组织中分别鉴定到85和51个差异表达的蛋白,而慢性感染期与急性感染期相比有114个蛋白差异表达。对差异表达蛋白进行功能分析发现其主要涉及到免疫、代谢过程等通路。本研究结果为进一步阐明弓形虫卵囊急慢性感染引起宿主脑组织损伤及致病机制提供了重要的数据。     

New Design of Pre-amplification Circuit for EEG Signals

In the measurement of EEG signals ,the pre - amplification electrical signal of brain is the most importantant and key link. Whether the design is excellent or inferior is related to the electrical signal detection system of brain directly. The design of this circuit has been paid attention to by domestic and international expert all the time. On the basis of existing biological electricity amplifier which is studied, the authors consult the electric amplifier circuit of living beings designed , such as reference , improve and design a new-type and high performance electrical signal characteristic of brain in . The circuit has prevented the traditional design from enlarging the miscellaneous simulation of the circuit and straining the wave link, otherwise, this circuit is of simple structure , low cost, and convenient debugging. The paper has detailed theoritic analysis and experimental results to prove this circuit, which offered a new train of thought for reseach and development of brain electrical amplifier and other faint biological electricity amplifiers . This curcuit has be expected to win extensive application.