Activation of GABA(A) receptors in the accessory olfactory bulb does not prevent the formation of an olfactory memory in mice

When female mice are mated, they form a memory to the pheromonal signal of their male partner. The neural mechanisms underlying this memory involve changes at the reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses between glutamatergic mitral cells and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic granule cells in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Blockade of GABA(A) receptors in the AOB leads to the formation of an olfactory memory. In an attempt to disrupt memory formation at mating, we used local infusions of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol into the AOB during the critical period for memory formation. Muscimol across a wide range of doses (1-1000 pmol) did not prevent memory formation. The resistance of this memory to GABA(A) receptor activation may reflect the complexity of synaptic microcircuits in the AOB.     

Effects of fibroblasts derived from the olfactory bulb and nasal olfactory mucosa on proliferation of olfactory ensheathing cells harvested from the olfactory bulb

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have been reported to promote axonal regeneration when transplanted to rodent spinal cord injury models. OECs are available from the olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory mucosa (OM). Although harvesting OECs from the OM is less traumatic, OECs originating from the OM are less proliferative than those from the OB (OB-OECs). One possible reason for this difference is coexisting fibroblasts. Here, we examined the effect of coculturing either fibroblasts from the OB (OB-Fibs) or fibroblasts from the OM (OM-Fibs) on the proliferation of OB-OECs. Proliferation of OB-OECs was significantly higher in 5:5 coculture with OB-Fibs and in 7:3 and 5:5 cocultures with OM-Fibs than without fibroblasts. These results indicated that coculture with both OB-Fibs and OM-Fibs promoted the proliferation of OB-OECs.     

Amifostine ameliorates recognition memory defect in acute radiation syndrome caused by relatively low-dose of gamma radiation

This study examined whether amifostine (WR-2721) could attenuate memory impairment and suppress hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice with the relatively low-dose exposure of acute radiation syndrome (ARS). These were assessed using object recognition memory test, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, and immunohistochemical markers of neurogenesis [Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX)]. Amifostine treatment (214 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to irradiation significantly attenuated the recognition memory defect in ARS, and markedly blocked the apoptotic death and decrease of Ki-67- and DCX-positive cells in ARS. Therefore, amifostine may attenuate recognition memory defect in a relatively low-dose exposure of ARS in adult mice, possibly by inhibiting a detrimental effect of irradiation on hippocampal neurogenesis.     

Comparison of cell populations derived from canine olfactory bulb and olfactory mucosal cultures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the numbers and proportions of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in cell cultures derived from the olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory mucosa of dogs. ANIMALS: 7 dogs. PROCEDURES: OB tissue and olfactory mucosa from the nasal cavity and frontal sinus were obtained from euthanatized dogs and prepared for cell culture. At 7, 14, and 21 days of culture in vitro, numbers and proportions of OECs, astrocytes, and fibroblasts were determined via immunocytochemistry. Antibody against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 was used to identify OECs, antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein was used to identify astrocytes, and antibody against fibronectin was used to identify fibroblasts. RESULTS: Cultured OECs derived from the olfactory mucosa of the nasal cavity and frontal sinus had similar characteristics. However, whereas OECs in the OB cell cultures constituted approximately 50% of the cells at 7 days and approximately 75% at 21 days the proportion of OECs in cultures derived from both mucosal types was much lower, with approximately 40% OECs at 7 days and approximately 25% at 21 days. Analysis of OEC numbers revealed that these changes were accompanied by corresponding decreases and increases in the population of cells with fibronectin receptors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although olfactory mucosal cell cultures yielded a sufficient number of OECs for spinal cord transplantation procedures in dogs, modification of culture conditions would be required to ensure that the derived cell population contained a sufficient proportion of OECs.     

猪附红细胞体SRP54基因的克隆及真核表达质粒的构建

为了研究猪附红细胞体信号识别颗粒54（SRP54）基因的功能,试验根据GenBank上发表的猪附红细胞体KI₃806全基因组序列（登录号为NC₀15153.1）中信号识别颗粒（SRP）蛋白基因设计合成1对特异性引物,采用PCR方法扩增猪附红细胞体SRP54基因片段,将扩增产物克隆至pMD18-T载体上,重组质粒经PCR和酶切鉴定后测序,并将SRP54基因与pVAXⅠ真核表达载体连接。结果表明:克隆的SRP54基因片段长1 173 bp,与GenBank中原序列同源性为97%,构建的真核表达质粒pVAXⅠ-SRP54经PCR和酶切鉴定正确,为猪附红细胞体SRP54基因的后续研究奠定了基础。     

Phylogenic aspects of the amphibian dual olfactory system

The phylogenic significance of the subdivision of dual olfactory system is reviewed mainly on the basis of our findings by electron microscopy and lectin histochemistry in the three amphibian species. The dual olfactory system is present in common in these species and consists of the projection from the olfactory epithelium (OE) to the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and that from the vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The phylogenic significance of subdivisions in the dual olfactory system in the amphibian must differently be interpreted. The subdivision of the MOB into its dorsal region (D-MOB) and ventral region (V-MOB) in Xenopus laevis must be attributed to the primitive features in their olfactory receptors. The middle cavity epithelium lining the middle cavity of this frog possesses both ciliated sensory cells and microvillous sensory cells, reminding the OE in fish. The subdivision of the AOB into the rostral (R-AOB) and caudal part (C-AOB) in Bufo japonicus formosus must be regarded as an advanced characteristic. The lack of subdivisions in both MOB and AOB in Cynops pyrrhogaster may reflect their phylogenic primitiveness. Since our lectin histochemistry to detect glycoconjugates expressed in the olfactory pathway reveals the subdivisions in the dual olfactory system in the amphibian, the glycoconjugates may deeply participate in the organization and function of olfactory pathways in phylogeny.     

Cloning of canine cDNA encoding tektin

Tektins are a group of proteins that form filamentous polymers in the walls of ciliary microtubules. The cloning of canine cDNA encoding tektin, was carried out and identified from the testis of beagle dog. Canine tektin cDNA is 1,523 bp in length, has an open reading frame of 1,281 bp nucleotides encoding a protein of 426 deduced amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence has 77% and 33-50% of homology with the murine tektin and the sea urchin tektins. The amino acid sequence RPNVELCRD and four cysteine residues were conserved in the dog, mouse and sea urchin, suggesting the functional significance of this protein domain and the amino acid residues in the tektin proteins.     

蜜蜂嗅觉研究进展

蜜蜂嗅觉影响蜜蜂交尾、哺育和采集等行为,对蜂群的繁衍和发展具有重要作用。蜜蜂触角上分布着大量的嗅觉感觉器,能感知挥发性分子、气味和激素等,因此是蜜蜂最重要的嗅觉器官,也是蜜蜂参与嗅觉交流的重要组成部分。综述蜜蜂触角、嗅觉感受器、嗅觉相关蛋白及嗅觉传导机制等,能为蜜蜂后续的研究和蜜蜂触嗅觉的应用提供参考。     

蜂王浆对工蜂学习记忆能力的影响

蜜蜂由于其较强的学习能力,很早以前就开始被用于学习记忆方面的研究。然而饲喂蜂王浆方面的研究却很少,本实验利用饲喂蜂王浆来探究蜂王浆对学习记忆能力的影响。实验通过给工蜂饲喂蜂王浆,到一定日龄后与喂食糖水的工蜂做学习记忆能力的比较,发现饲喂蜂王浆的组学习记忆能力远远高于饲喂糖水的组。结果表明蜂王浆能在很大程度上提高工蜂的学习记忆能力。     

Roles of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems in behavior

The chemosensory experiences of farm animals involve a stimulus world that we are incapable of appreciating through our own limited olfactory system and nonexistent vomeronasal system. It is obvious that to domestic ruminants as well as their wild counterparts these systems are an important element in day-to-day activities and in social encounters. As we come to learn more about the role of chemosensory analysis by both the olfactory system and the vomeronasal system, we will eventually have the opportunity to utilize such information more effectively to manage the reproduction, growth, and welfare of our domestic livestock species.     

Localization of eNOS in the olfactory epithelium of the rat

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and produced from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Since NO is recently suggested to be involved in olfactory perception, the expression of eNOS, an isoform of NOS, was examined in the rat olfactory epithelium. The activity of NADPH-diaphorase was also examined as a marker of NOS. In the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity, intensely positive reactions for NADPH-diaphorase were observed in the entire cytoplasm of sensory cells (olfactory cells). By immunohistochemistry, intensely positive reactions for eNOS were also found in the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity. These reactions were observed on the free border of the olfactory epithelium. By immunoelectron microscopy, positive reactions for eNOS were found in the cilia of olfactory cells. In addition, in situ hybridization analysis of the olfactory epithelium revealed the expression of eNOS mRNA in the olfactory cells. These results indicate the presence of eNOS in the olfactory cells of the rat, and differential expression of eNOS in the olfactory epithelium depending on the regions of the nasal cavity. In addition, NO produced by eNOS may be involved in olfactory perception in the cilia of olfactory cells.     

Intranasal tumor of the ethmoid olfactory mucosa in sheep.

Intranasal tumors (papillary adenomas or adenocarcinomas) of the ethmoid olfactory mucosa of sheep were investigated by light and electron microscopy. The fine structure of the tumor cells was characterized by the presence of numerous secretory granules. Viral particles, which were morphologically similar to a visna-maedi virus, were detected in all tumor tissues and in 3 of 4 cultures examined. The particles (about 97 nm) had an eccentrically located electron-dense core and numerous spikes on their surfaces. The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities in the tumor cells or the cultured cell from the tumor were greater than those in the normal intranasal tissues or the cultured cells from the choroid plexus. Viral particles similar to herpesvirus were also detected in 1 culture.     

嗅觉作业的基本功--嗅嗅源

嗅源是供犬嗅觉作业时使用的气味,是犬追踪、鉴别、搜索等使用科目的依据,犬对嗅源气味感受得好坏直接关系嗅觉作业的成功与否。一、犬嗅认嗅源的重要性在鉴别训练中,如果犬不是积极充分感受嗅源就不可能对所求物气味产生兴奋,就不能对鉴别形式中的配物产生抑制,就会出现犬在形