Octodon degus, a new model to study the agonist and plexus-induced response in the urinary bladder.

Urinary bladder function consists in the storage and controlled voiding of urine. Translational studies require animal models that match human characteristics, such as Octodon degus, a diurnal rodent. This study aims to characterize the contractility of the detrusor muscle and the morphology and code of the vesical plexus from O. degus. Body temperature was measured by an intra-abdominal sensor, the contractility of detrusor strips was evaluated by isometric tension recording, and the vesical plexus was studied by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and immunofluorescence. The animals showed a diurnal chronotype as judged from core temperature. The myogenic contractile response of the detrusor muscle to increasing doses of KCl reached its maximum (31.04 mN/mm2) at 60 mM. In the case of cumulative dose-response of bethanecol, the maximum response (37.42 mN/mm2) was reached at 3.2 × 10-4 M. The response to ATP was clearly smaller (3.8 mN/mm2). The pharmacological dissection of the EFS-induced contraction identified ACh and sensory fibers as the main contributors to this response. The neurons of the vesical plexus were located mainly in the trigone area, grouped in big and small ganglia. Out of them, 48.1 % of the neurons were nitrergic and 62.7 % cholinergic. Our results show functional and morphological similarities between the urinary bladder of O. degus and that of humans.

Morphometry of paravaginal ganglia from the pelvic plexus: impact of multiparity, primiparity, and pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the morphology of paravaginal ganglia and the neurochemical pattern of their neurons in virgin rabbits. (2) To analyze the effects of multiparity, primiparity and late pregnancy on morphometry of ganglia and their neurons. STUDY DESIGN: The morphology and neurochemical pattern of paravaginal ganglia were described in virgin nulliparous Chinchilla breed rabbits. Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemistry for cholinergic and adrenergic neurons, and estrogen receptors (ERs) were undertaken. The area covered by ganglia (ganglionic area), the number of neurons, and the neuron soma area were measured in multiparas (4 consecutive and successive deliveries) and age-matched nulliparas. The same variables were measured in primiparous, late-pregnant, and age-matched nulliparous rabbits. RESULTS: Paravaginal ganglia were adjoined to the dorsolateral walls of the pelvic vagina. Their neurons were mostly cholinergic and expressed ERα and ERß. Multiparity increased the ganglionic area and reduced the number of ganglionic neurons. Late pregnancy transiently reduced the neuron soma area, which was coincident with a low expression of ERs. CONCLUSION: Multiparity but not primiparity affected the morphometry of ganglia. The hormonal state present in late pregnancy alters the neuron soma area and ER expression. Our findings support the notion that reproduction influences the morphometry of the pelvic plexus.

Descending unpaired median neurons with bilaterally symmetrical axons in the suboesophageal ganglion of Manduca sexta larvae.

Three large median cell bodies with a diameter between 40 and 70 microm that exhibit octopamine immunoreactivity were identified in the posterior part of the suboesophageal ganglion of the tobacco hawkmoth larva, Manduca sexta. These neurons possess bilaterally symmetrical axons in the posterior neck connectives, and at least one of them extends through the whole ventral nerve cord to the terminal abdominal ganglion. Therefore, these neurons belong to the class of descending ventral unpaired median neurons. From each cell body, a primary neurite ascends anteriorly, which after bending dorsally turns posteriorly and then bifurcates to give rise to two descending axons. From the primary neurite two main dendritic branches ascend anteriorly, and four characteristic branches can be distinguished originating from them: two descending dendritic branches and two ascending dendritic branches. Dense arborizations from all these branches exist in all neuromeres of the suboesophageal ganglion. Intracellular recordings from these neurons show that in contrast to the ventral unpaired median neurons of thoracic and abdominal ganglia, they do not produce overshooting action potentials but exhibit passive soma spikes only. During pharmacologically evoked fictive motor patterns these neurons show coupling to various motor patterns such as crawling, feeding and molting.

The clock face guide to peroneal intraneural ganglia: critical "times" and sites for accurate diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to exploit the normal nature of peroneal nerve anatomy to identify constant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns in peroneal intraneural ganglia. DESIGN: This study is designed as a retrospective clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 25 patients with peroneal intraneural ganglia were analyzed and were compared to those of 25 patients with extraneural ganglia and 25 individuals with normal knees. All specimens were interpreted as left-sided. Using conventional axial images, the position of the common peroneal nerve and either intraneural or extraneural cyst was determined relative to the proximal fibula and the superior tibiofibular joint using a symbolic clock face. In all patients, the common peroneal nerve could be seen between the 4 and 5 o'clock position at the mid-portion of the fibular head. In patients with intraneural ganglia, a single axial image could reproducibly and reliably demonstrate both cyst within the common peroneal nerve at the mid-portion of the fibular head (signet ring sign) between 4 and 5 o'clock and within the articular branch at the superior tibiofibular joint connection (tail sign) between 11 and 12 o'clock; in addition, cyst within the transverse limb of the articular branch (transverse limb sign) was seen at the mid-portion of the fibular neck between the 12 and 2 o'clock positions on serial images. Extraneural ganglia typically arose from more superior joint connections with the epicenter of the cyst varying around the entire clock face without a consistent pattern. There was no significant difference between the visual and template assessment of clock face position for all three groups (intraneural, extraneural, and controls). We believe that the normal anatomic and pathologic relationships of the common peroneal nerve in the vicinity of the fibular neck/head region can be established readily and reliably on single axial images. This technique can provide radiologists and surgeons with rapid and reproducible information for diagnosis and treatment planning. CONCLUSIONS: By using conventional bony anatomy as reference points (namely fibular neck and mid-portion of fibular head), standard axial images can be used to interpret key features of peroneal intraneural ganglia and to establish their accurate diagnosis (rather than extraneural ganglia) and pathogenesis from an articular origin (rather than from de novo formation), a fact that has important therapeutic implications. Because of the relative rarity of peroneal intraneural cysts and physicians' (radiologists and surgeons) inexperience with them and the complexity of their findings, they are frequently misdiagnosed and joint communications are not appreciated preoperatively or intraoperatively. As a result, outcomes are suboptimal and recurrences are common.

Multiple modulators act on the cardiac ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis.

Neuromodulators can change the output of neural circuits. The crustacean cardiac ganglion (CG) drives the contractions of the heart. The CG is a direct target for neurohormones that are released from the pericardial organs and other neuroendocrine sites. In this study, we have characterized for the first time the physiological actions of the peptides red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH), Cancer borealis tachykinin-related peptide Ia (CabTRP Ia) and allatostatin III type A (AST-3) on the isolated CG of the crab, Cancer borealis. RPCH and CabTRP Ia excited the CG while AST-3 strongly inhibited its motor output. We also studied the actions of other peptides and small molecule transmitters known to be present in C. borealis. Dopamine, serotonin, proctolin, crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP), a number of extended FLRFamide peptides, and cholinergic agonists increased the activity of the CG, GABA inhibited the CG, while other substances had little or no significant effect on the CG motor pattern. These results demonstrate, in one species, that the CG is multiply modulated. We suggest that multiple modulators may be important to regulate and coordinate the activity of the heart and other organs in response to external stimuli or the endogenous physiological state.

Ganglio esfenopalatino morfología y morfometría aplicada / Ganglion esfenopalatino morphology and morfometría applied

El objetivo fundamental del presente trabajo es realizar una detallada revisión anatómica del ganglio esfenopalatino en cuanto a su morfología y morfometría con el propósito de actualizar su importancia en la génesis del dolor facial, en especial la cefalea esfenopalatina o cefalea en racimo, como así también favorecer la técnica de su bloqueo anestésico. La morfología y morfometría del ganglio esfenopalatino fueron analizadas en base al estudio de 30 especimenes de material cadavérico de adulto; 28 de ellos fijados en formol al 10 por ciento y 2 en material cadavérico adulto fresco. Ellos fueron sometidos a disecciones anatómicas clásicas, incluyendo técnicas histológicas con coloraciones de hematoxilina-eosina. Las vías de abordaje se distribuyeron de la siguiente manera: - 24 especimenes fueron abordados por vías fosas nasales.- 4 especimenes por vía infratemporal.- 2 por vía fosa craneal media. Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten aseverar que el ganglio esfenopalatino se halla situado en el extremo posterior de la fosa pterigopalatina, por detrás del vértice del cornete medio, o entre éste y el borde inferior del cornete superior e inmediatamente por debajo de la mucosa nasal. Recibe por su extremo posterior al nervio vidiano, y por su extremo superior al nervio maxilar superior a través de sus ramos ganglionares o pterigopalatinos

Estudo morfométrico dos neurônios do gânglio mesentérico caudal de cães durante o desenvolvimento pós-natal (maturação e envelhecimento) / Morphometric study of the neurons in the caudal mesenteric ganglion of the dogs during the post- natal development (maturation and aging)

O envelhecimento é caracterizado por um progressivo declínio na função neuronal envolvendo tanto o sistema nervoso central como o periférico. O aumento da idade é verificado por alterações no número e no tamanho dos neurônios. Contudo, estes dados são controversos e pouco conhecidos nos gânglios periféricos. Desta forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo estudar o gânglio mesentérico caudal (GMC) de cães em dois períodos distintos do desenvolvimento (maturação e envelhecimento), a procura de alterações morfométricas nos neurônios. A importância do GMC esta ligada à inervação simpática do intestino grosso, esfíncter anal interno e parcialmente o aparelho urogenital. Para o estudo, foram utilizados nove cães domésticos sem raça definida e machos, divididos em três grupos etários com idades bem definidas (1-2 meses, 1-3 anos e 5-10 anos). Os gânglios foram processados para o estudo da microscopia e luz e as análises morfométricas (área seccional do neurônio e do núcleo) foram realizadas por meio do software de análise morfométrica KS 400 ZEISS®. O aumento da idade foi caracterizado por um aumento no tamanho do neurônio e do núcleo. Quanto a relação núcleo-citoplasma, esta diminuiu com o aumento da idade.

The aging is characterized by a progressive decline of neuronal function that involves both the central and the peripheral nervous system.Aging process is accompanied by changes in the number and size of neurons. However, these data are controvesial and poorly known in the peripheral ganglia. In this way, the present investigation aimed to study the dog's caudal mesenteric ganglion (CMG) in two different phases of aging (maturation and aging), looking for morphometric alterations in the neurons. The importance of the CMG is associated with the innervation of the lower large intestine, internal anal sphincter and partially the urogenital system. To the study, was used nine males, mongrel, domestic dogs, divided into three different well defined aged groups (1-2 months, 1-3 years old, 5-10 years old). The ganglia were processed for light microscopy study and the morphometric analyses were done using morphometric analyses software KS 400 Zeiss®. The increase of age was caractherized by an increased in size of neuron and nucleu. Concerning about nucleus-citoplasmic relation, this decrease with the age.

Quantitative morphometric analysis of the submucous plexus in age-related control groups.

An increased number and density of the so-called "giant ganglia" (seven or greater ganglion cells per ganglion) serve as histopathological criteria for a bowel motility disorder called intestinal neuronal dysplasia of the submucous plexus (IND B). However, because these morphological criteria have been defined based upon observations in constipated patients, the diagnostic value of previous studies is open to controversy. Moreover, no age-related reference data from unaffected controls are available. This study reports on data from unaffected controls on the variability of size and distribution of ganglia in the submucous plexus during development. Therefore, for the first time, the normal status has been defined. Four age groups have been defined: (a) premature births, gestational age less than 35 weeks; (b) 1-365 days; (c) 1-14 years and (d) 15 years to greater than 70 years). All of these groups revealed giant ganglia in the submucous plexus. With advancing age, there was a decrease in the number of giant ganglia (from 32.7% in group a to 11.2% in group d) accompanied by an inverse increase in the mean distance between all ganglia (from 0.52 mm in group a to 1.17 mm in group d). The data presented permit the conclusion that the criteria mentioned above are not apt to define IND B as an entity, since they do not allow a sufficient demarcation from the age-correlated normal values presented here.

Uterus-innervating neurones in porcine inferior mesenteric ganglion: an immunohistochemical characteristic.

The presence of tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, galanin, Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide was studied with immunohistochemistry in uterus-innervating neurones found in the inferior mesenteric ganglia after fluorescent tracer (Fast Blue) injection into different regions of the porcine uterus (uterine cervix, paracervical, middle and paraoviductal part of the uterine horn). Virtually all Fast Blue-positive neurones found in the inferior mesenteric ganglia after tracer injection into all studied parts of the uterus contained tyrosine hydroxylase and ca. 45% of them contained neuropeptide Y. Single galanin-positive/Fast Blue-positive cells were found in the ganglia only after tracer injections into uterine cervix. No other studied substances were found in the Fast-Blue positive neurones of the inferior mesenteric ganglia.

The internal acoustic meatus and its meningeal layers: a microanatomical study.

OBJECT: The authors studied the cadaveric heads of 22 adults to describe the internal acoustic meatus (IAM) and its contents. Special attention was paid to the length of the arachnoidal and dural sheaths surrounding the neural structures, including the vestibular ganglion. An additional goal of this study was to verify anatomically the concept of arachnoidal duplication, which is reputedly induced by medial growth of vestibular neuromas and helpful in atraumatic dissection. METHODS: Twelve cadaveric heads (24 IAMs) were injected with colored latex and fixed in formalin. Cautious removal of the skull vault and the brain or the skull base allowed superior and anteroinferior views of the IAM, respectively. Photographs were obtained after removal of the bone canal and dissection of the meninges with the aid of optic magnification. Ten IAMs were prepared for histological study and the osteological anatomy of the fundus was endoscopically described for the remaining 10. The dura mater covered the bone structures of the IAM, and the arachnoidal membrane of the cerebellopontine cistern invaginated into this dural cul-de-sac as a "muff." The entire neurovascular content of the IAM, including the vestibular ganglion, was surrounded by this arachnoidal sheath in which cerebrospinal fluid circulated. The length of this arachnoidal sheath was the same ventrally and dorsally and, in all specimens, the entrance of the cochleovestibulofacial complex into the subarachnoid space was located at the fundus level. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the authors demonstrated the existence of an acousticofacial cistern containing every nerve of the vestibulocochleofacial complex, including the vestibular ganglion from which acoustic neuromas develop. These findings clearly contradict the theory of the duplication of arachnoidal layers during medial growth of vestibular neuromas and may explain some of the intraoperative difficulties encountered in the atraumatic dissection of these tumors.

An immunohistochemical study of the organization of ganglia and nerve fibres in the mucosa of the porcine intestine.

In order to elucidate the organization of the enteric nervous system in the mucous plexus, wholemounts from six intestinal regions in six pigs were studied by vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, nitric oxide synthase and neurofilament proteins immunohistochemistry. The mucous plexus of both large and small intestine contained ganglia and isolated neurons. They were many and comparably larger in the caecum and colon, few in the ileum, and fewer and smaller in the jejunum. The mucous plexus was subdivided into the lamina muscularis mucosae and lamina proprial subplexuses, and based on location the latter was subdivided further in order to clarify their variations with respect to the amount, sizes and shapes of ganglia and neurons, sizes and orientation of nerve strands and immunoreactivities. Ganglia were situated at different topographical levels in the lamina muscularis mucosae subplexus, outer proprial and interglandular proprial meshworks in the lamina proprial subplexus with the majority of ganglia occurring in the outer proprial meshwork. The mucous plexus in the intestine of the pig is thus a ganglionated plexus showing marked segmental variation in the amount of intramucosal ganglia and isolated nerve cells. These new observations, calls for a re-examination of the mucous plexus to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of importance in mucosal functions and consideration of the mucous plexus in the intestine of the pig to be one of the major ganglionated plexuses.

Cáncer de mama: ganglio centinela / Breast cancer: sentinel node

Dar a conocer la importancia de la biopsia del ganglio centinela como indicador del estado de la axila en el carcinoma. Identificar el ganglio centinela inyectando 4 ml. de Tc99 unidos a un marcador de sulfuro coloidal solo o mezclado con 3 ó 4 ml. del colorante vital isosulfan azul que conduce al ganglio para su extirpación. Clínica privada Méndez Gimón. Operamos 32 casos de los cuales se analizaron 27 (84,4 por ciento). La edad de las pacientes varió entre 36 y 79 años. El promedio de ganglios rescatados osciló entre 13 por ciento y 14 por ciento. El grado nuclear 3 fue mayor en las mujeres más jóvenes y menor en las de mayor edad. En más de la mitad de los casos se realizó mastectomía segmentaria más disección radical de la axila. La asociación de sulfuro coloidal de Tc99 y linfazurin constituye el procedimiento de elección para la localización del ganglio centinela. La biopsia del mismo es un método efectivo y seguro para determinar el estado anatomopatológico de los ganglios axilares

Sprouting of bladder nerves into cystoplastic cecal segment in the rat.

Incorporation of bowel into the bladder (enterocystoplasty) has been widely used to increase bladder capacity. It has been reported by others that the response of smooth muscle from the cystoplastic segment of the intestine shifts from that of the intestine (relaxation to alpha-agonists and ATP) to that of the bladder (contraction to alpha-agonists and ATP). This suggests a functional integration of the intestinal muscle into the bladder; the mechanisms are unknown. The aims of the present study were (1) to elucidate if there are signs of bladder nerves sprouting across the anastomosis into the intestinal segment, and (2) to study what happens with the intrinsic innervation of the intestinal segment. As a model, we used cecocystoplasty in rats. The bladder was opened and a patch of cecum with intact vascular supply was anastomosed to the bladder. After two to 11 months the rats were sacrificed and the bladders mounted as wholemounts and stained for acetylcholinesterase-containing nerves, or embedded in paraffin for histology. A pronounced degeneration of the myenteric plexus was found in the cecal segments. In some areas, this had proceeded to the extent that the ganglia were isolated ovoid lumps of cells with no apparent connection to other ganglia. Areas lacking ganglia and nerve trunks but still with muscle could be found in all specimens. Abundant axon bundles were demonstrated sprouting from the cut bladder nerves close to the anastomosis. The bundles spread out in a fan-like pattern or were organized as fewer thicker nerves. There were many nerve bundles entering the cecal segment where they branched and the diameter decreased till they no longer became visible. Some nerves reached surviving lumps of myenteric ganglion cells. The results show that the bladder nerves sprout into the anastomosed cecal segment. It is reasonable to assume that these nerves are responsible for the changes in receptor pharmacological properties of the cecal smooth muscle towards that of bladder muscle.

The mesenchymal cadherin-11 is expressed in restricted sites during the ontogeny of the rat brain in modes suggesting novel functions.

Cadherin-11 (Cad-11), a cell cell adhesion molecule belonging to the "classical type II" cadherin family, is a marker of the loosely connected and migratory cellular elements of the mesenchyme. Interestingly, by using in situ hybridization, regional high expression of cad-11 was seen in the brain as well as the spinal cord. We made the following observations in rat embryos and neonates: (1) cad-11 first appears at the lips of the open neural tube; (2) shortly after neural tube closure, cad-11 delineates boundaries in the fore- and midbrain while a metameric signal is detected in the rhombencephalon; (3) cad-11 expression is found in specific neuroepithelia and ependyma; (4) in the fetal developing brain, cad-11 transcripts are present during the formation of precise cortical layers, in various brain nucleus or subsets of nuclei and in circumventricular organs; (5) intense cad-11 expression is located at the point of optic nerve exit and entry; (6) cad-11 signal accompanies, in a spatio-temporal manner, the dynamics of cell migration in the cortex from lateral ganglionic eminence through the cortico-striatal sulcus. These data are discussed, and hypotheses for additional and novel properties for cad-11 are suggested.

Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural characterization of the terminal nerve ganglion cells of the ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis (Salmoniformes, Teleostei).

BACKGROUND: Little is known on the cytological properties of the terminal nerve ganglion (TNG) cells in teleosts (Demski, 1993. Acta Anat., 148:81-95). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To characterize the TNG cells of a salmonoid fish, Plecoglossus altivelis, we adopted immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: The majority of the TNG cells formed a compact mass halfway between the olfactory sac and the olfactory bulb, whereas a few cells were scattered in the ventromedial region of the olfactory bulb. The cell had a voluminous perikaryon that was positive to antisera against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), molluscan cardioexcitatory tetrapeptide (FM-RFamide), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Immunostaining of consecutive sections with each antiserum showed the coexistence of these antigens in the same cells and their processes. Most of the processes originating from the cells projected centrally to the basal forebrain, including the optic nerve. With TEM, the cells revealed a peptidergic nature, i.e., the presence of abundant granular endoplasmic reticula and well-developed Golgi bodies in association with vesicles that were 70-100 nm in diameter. Occasionally, the cells adjoined one another directly without the intervention of glial sheets. Synaptic contacts were frequent in the proximal region of the processes, where thin lateral processes of the cells and axon terminals of unknown origin were intermingled with each other. Terminal buttons being engulfed by the soma were commonly seen. CONCLUSIONS: The TNG cells of the salmonoid fish share many cytological characteristics with the cells of the nucleus olfactoretinalis of advanced teleosts such as acanthopterygians.

Topography of cardiac ganglia in the adult human heart.

Published descriptions of the topography of cardiac ganglia in the human heart are limited and present conflicting results. This study was carried out to determine the distribution of cardiac ganglia in adult human hearts and to address these conflicts. Hearts obtained from autopsies and heart transplant procedures were sectioned, stained, and examined. Results indicate that the largest populations of cardiac ganglia are near the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. Smaller collections of ganglia exist on the superior left atrial surface, the interatrial septum, and the atrial appendage-atrial junctions. Ganglia also exist at the base of the great vessels and the base of the ventricles. The right atrial free wall, atrial appendages, trunk of the great vessels, and most of the ventricular myocardium are devoid of cardiac ganglia. These findings suggest modifications to surgical procedures involving incisions through regions concentrated with ganglia to minimize arrhythmias and related complications. Repairs of septal defects, valvular procedures, and congenital reconstructions, such as the Senning and Fontan operations, involve incisions through areas densely populated with cardiac ganglia. The current standard procedure for orthotopic heart transplantation severs cardiac ganglia and their projections to nodal and muscular tissue. One modification of the current heart transplantation procedure, involving bicaval anastomosis, preserves atrial anatomy and the cardiac ganglia. Preservation of cardiac ganglia within the donor heart may provide additional neuronal substrate for intracardiac processing and targets for regenerating nerve fibers to the donor heart.

Radioligand binding and autoradiographic visualization of adenosine transport sites in human inferior vagal ganglia and their axonal transport along rat vagal afferent neurons.

The present study has employed membrane-binding studies and in vitro autoradiography to demonstrate the presence of adenosine transport sites in human inferior vagal ganglia using [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([3H]NBMPR), a potent inhibitor of adenosine transport. In addition, [3H]NBMPR was used to determine whether adenosine transport sites are subject to axonal transport along the rat vagus nerve. Binding of [3H]NBMPR to human inferior vagal ganglia membranes was saturable and reversible. Saturation experiments revealed a single class of high affinity-binding sites with a Kd of 93.73 +/- 23.13 pM and Bmax of 413.50 +/- 50.40 fmol/mg protein. In displacement experiments, the adenosine transport inhibitor dipyridamole was the most potent displacer of [3H]NBMPR binding (Ki = 42.7 +/- 28.0 nM). Adenosine itself was able to fully displace [3H]NBMPR binding with a Ki of 115.0 +/- 34.0 microM. The A1/A2a adenosine receptor agonist 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA) was able to fully displace [3H]NBMPR binding in only one experiment at a concentration of 100 microM, yielding an affinity 1000-fold higher than its affinity for adenosine receptors. All competition curves obtained from displacement experiments displayed monophasic profiles, indicating the presence of a single class of [3H]NBMPR binding sites. Incubation of human inferior vagal ganglia sections with [3H]NBMPR (0.7 nM) revealed dense binding which appeared to be consistent with the distribution of neuronal cell bodies in this tissue. Following unilateral ligation of the vagus nerve in the rat, accumulation of [3H]NBMPR binding sites occurred both proximal and distal to the vagal ligatures. These results suggest that [3H]NBMPR binds with high affinity to a single class of adenosine transport sites, and that these sites are present on vagal afferent neurons in the human and undergo bidirectional axonal transport along the rat vagus nerve.

The cranial nerves of the Senegal bichir, Polypterus senegalus [osteichthyes: actinopterygii: cladistia].

The organization of the roots, ganglia and peripheral distribution of the rami of the cranial nerves of larval and juvenile Senegal bichirs was examined with a wide range of techniques, including gross dissection and histological preparations. The profundal nerve of bichirs is completely separate from the trigeminal nerve and innervates the skin overlying the orbit and snout, and there is no evidence that a superficial ophthalmic ramus of the trigeminal nerve exists. Bichirs appear to retain all six pairs of lateral line nerves that characterized the earliest gnathostomes, but the sensory ganglia of the anterodorsal and otic lateral line nerves have fused, and the sensory ganglia of the anterodorsal and anteroventral lateral line nerves are partially fused, which appears to be a shared derived character of ray-finned fishes. The anteroventral lateral line nerve of bichirs retains mandibular and opercular rami, a primitive feature shared with other bony fishes, and the fibers of the opercular ramus innervate all postotic ampullary organs. Surprizingly, bichirs, unlike most nonteleost bony fishes, have lost the spiracular organ. The lateral ramus of the posterior lateral line nerve of bichirs is divided into a pars dorsalis and a pars ventralis, which appears to be a shared derived character of bony fishes. The glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves of bichirs exhibit lateral and medial sensory ganglia, and this appears to be a shared derived character of bony fishes. The posttrematic rami of the glossopharyngeal nerve and both the pre- and posttrematic rami of the vagal nerve of bichirs are divided, which appears to be a shared derived feature of bony fishes. The hypobranchial nerve of bichirs is unusual in that it is formed by only two spinal nerves, a pattern also seen in gars, but not other bony fishes, and apparently a uniquely derived character.

Distribution and origin of the peripheral innervation of rat cervical esophagus.

Several neurotransmitters, neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin, enkephalin, calcitonin-gene related peptide (GGRP), substance P, as well as nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and the noradrenergic marker tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) were localized by immunocytochemistry in the cervical esophagus of rat. Nerve fibers containing the neuropeptides, NOS, and TH were distributed in the myenteric plexus, around muscle bundles and small blood vessels. Injection of the retrograde tracer True Blue (TB) into the cervical esophagus resulted in the appearance of labeled nerve cell bodies in the superior cervical, the stellate, the nodose, the sphenopalatine, the dorsal root ganglia at levels C2-C7, and in local ganglia close to the thyroid. Most of the TB-labeled nerve cell bodies in the superior cervical ganglia contained NPY. In the stellate ganglion, a few labeled nerve cell bodies contained VIP whereas an additional few cell bodies stored VIP. In local ganglia, the majority of labeled cell bodies contained VIP. In the nodose ganglion and cervical dorsal root ganglia, the majority of the labeled nerve cell bodies stored CGRP. The results indicate that the cervical esophagus has a dense innervation with multiple neurotransmitters emanating from several ganglia. As judged by the pattern of nerve fiber distribution, they may regulate esophageal peristalsis and blood flow, some of them possibly in a cooperative manner.

The histopathology of fibrous flexor sheath ganglia.

In order to determine if fibrous flexor sheath ganglia had any histological features that could distinguish them from other ganglia, wer reviewed 50 consecutive ganglia treated by surgical excision. Of these, eight were fibrous flexor sheath ganglia. They did not have any specific features to distinguish them from the other ganglia. Furthermore, an absence of true synovial lining in them refutes the theory that they may result from synovial herniation around the A1 pulley.