Distribution of Galanin and Galanin Receptor 2 in the Pre-optic Area of the Female Guinea Pig.

This study describes the distribution of galanin (Gal) and galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) in the pre-optic area (POA) of the female guinea pig. Frozen sections were undergone for a routine immunofluorescence labelling. Gal and GalR2 display immunoreactivity in all parts of the pre-optic area. Gal shows reactivity both in perikarya and fibres, whereas GalR2 was observed only in perikarya. Gal- and GalR2-immunoreactive (-ir) perikarya were the most numerous in the medial pre-optic area (MPA) with the highest reactivity in its dorsal part. In the median pre-optic nucleus (MPN) and periventricular pre-optic nucleus (PPN), only single Gal- and GalR2-ir neurons were observed. The highest density of Gal-ir fibres was revealed in the PPN and the lowest in the lateral pre-optic area (LPA). The results of this study indicate that the distribution pattern of Gal containing neurons overlaps well with the distribution pattern of GalR2-positive neurons, especially in the MPA. This may suggest GalR2-dependent activity in this brain region.

A morphometric comparative study of the medial geniculate body of the rabbit and the fox.

SUMMARY: Unbiased stereological methods were used to morphometrically examine and compare the medial geniculate body (MGB) of two species from different mammalian orders. The MGB had a similar nuclear pattern, and it was parcelled into three major cytoarchitectural areas: the dorsal nucleus (MGd), the ventral nucleus (MGv) and the medial nucleus (MGm). The MGd was predominant in the fox, where it contributed nearly 50% to the total MGB volume, while in the rabbit, the MGv was insignificantly larger than the MGd. In both species, the percentage contribution of the MGm was the lowest. The MGd in the fox was also characterized by twice as many neurons per mm(3) as in the rabbit, whereas a reverse proportion was observed in the MGm, although the numerical density in the MGv was very similar in both species. The total number of MGB neurons in the fox was over twice higher than that in the rabbit. The variability in the percentage contribution of the MGd, MGv and MGm cells to the total neuronal population of the MGB was different in both mammals. In the rabbit, there was a larger contribution from the MGv and MGm, while in the fox, the MGd was predominant. These data demonstrate that the main areas of the MGB complex differ in terms of the morphometric characteristics in both species. Our results also show that the negative correlation between the volume and numerical density in the sensory centres of the brain might not be as distinct as in the non-sensory brain structures.

The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) immunoreactivity in the amygdala of the pig.

The distribution and morphology of neurons containing cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) was investigated in the pig amygdala. CART- immunoreactive (CART-IR) cell bodies were rarely observed in the pig amygdala and most often they were present in the posterior (small-celled) parts of the basolateral and basomedial nuclei. In all other subdivisions only a small number of randomly scattered pericarya were present. In every region studied the CART-IR neurons formed a heterogeneous population consisting mostly of small, rounded or slightly elongated cell bodies, with a few poorly branched, smooth dendrites. In general, the morphological features of these cells clearly resembled non-pyramidal Golgi type II interneurons. Some randomly scattered CART-IR cell bodies were significantly larger and they demonstrated features of pyramidal-like Golgi type I projecting neurons. The highest densities of CART-IR fibres were evident within the central and medial nuclei. Moderate to high expression was found within the large-celled part of the basolateral nucleus and moderate to low levels in the lateral, basomedial and cortical nuclei. The routine double-labelling studies with antisera directed against CART and somatostatin (SOM), or neuropeptide Y (NPY), or cholecystokinin (CCK), or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or substance P (SP) demonstrated that, in general, these peptides do not co-exist in the CART-IR neurons. However, small subpopulations of the CART-IR fibres contained SOM, CCK, VIP or SP together.

A morphometric study of the preoptic area of the guinea pig.

The aim of the study was to provide the topography and morphometric characteristics of the preoptic area (POA) of the guinea pig. The study was carried out on the brains of sexually mature guinea pigs of both sexes. A uniform procedure was followed in the study of the paraffin-embedded brain tissue blocks of males and females. The blocks were cut in the coronal plane into 50 mm sections and stained according to the Nissl method. The guinea pig POA consists of four parts: the medial preoptic area (MPA), lateral preoptic area (LPA), periventricular preoptic nucleus (PPN), and median preoptic nucleus (MPN). The topography and general structure of POA parts are similar in males and females. However, the PPNa cells of females are more intensely stained and are more densely packed than the PPNa cells of males. For morphometric analysis, the MPA and LPA as well as PPN and MPN were considered respectively as uniform structures, namely MPA-LPA and PPN-MPN. The statistical analysis showed that the volume of the PPN-MPN was larger in males than in females, whereas the MPA-LPA volume did not differ between the sexes. Moreover, the numerical density and the total number of neurons were statistically larger in males than in females in both the MPA-LPA and PPN-MPN. The parameters describing POA neurons were larger for MPA-LPA neurons in comparison with the PPN-MPN neurons. However, in this respect no sex differences were observed in both studied complexes.

A morphometric comparative study of the lateral geniculate body in selected placental mammals: the common shrew, the bank vole, the rabbit, and the fox.

The lateral geniculate body (LGN) was morphometrically examined and compared in representatives of four mammalian orders (Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, and Carnivora). In each studied species, the lateral geniculate body was divided into two distinct parts: the dorsal nucleus (LGNd) and the ventral nucleus (LGNv). The lateral geniculate body of the common shrew and the bank vole are very similar in appearance and nuclear pattern. The dorsal and ventral nuclei of these two species also have the most similar statistical characteristics. The lateral geniculate body of the fox has the most complicated morphology and multilayered structure. A significant disproportion was observed between the sizes of both geniculate nuclei in the fox, where the dorsal nucleus definitely surpassed the ventral nucleus in terms of volume. With the exception of the fox, the neuronal density of the LGN nuclei was negatively correlated with the volumes of the LGN. The mean neuronal size of the LGNd and LGNv, which was the resultant of the length, width, area, and circumference of the soma, grew correlatively to the volumes of these nuclei. In all examined species, somas of the LGNd neurons are distinctly larger and have more similar shapes than the LGNv perikarya. In addition, the numerical density of neurons in the ventral nucleus is significantly higher than in the dorsal nucleus. All these morphometric parameters clearly differentiate the LGNd from the LGNv.

The morphometric study of the amygdala in the rabbit.

Volumetric measurements of the individual nuclei in the amygdala (CA) of the rabbit reveal poor development of the basolateral (BL) and lateral olfactory tract (NLOT) and medial (ME) nuclei. On the other hand, the volumes of the lateral (LA), basomedial (BM), central (CE) and cortical (CO) nuclei are remarkable in this species. A comparison of the densities of neurons in the individual nuclei with the mean numerical density of cells in the rabbit CA indicates that the densities of neurons in LA, BL and BM are significantly lower than the mean (p < 0.05), whereas in CE, CO, ME and NLOT these values are significantly higher than the mean (p < 0.05). It should be noted, however, that of all the nuclei studied those in CE show the greatest similarity in density to CA as a whole. To some extent a similar division of the rabbit CA may be made using the size parameters of the amygdaloid neurons as a marker. The large neurons populate less densely organised CA areas such as LA, BL and BM, whereas the small cells create ME and NLOT, where the neurons are densely arranged. The CE and CO occupy intermediate positions, with the neurons similar in size to the mean for the total rabbit CA. These morphometric data from CA in the rabbit, when compared with the similar data for the common shrew and guinea pig (see our previous papers), lead to the conclusion that the amygdalae in all three species are very similar with respect to the distribution of neurons in relation to density and size and that, when volumetric measurements are taken into account, CA in the rabbit is much more similar to that of the guinea pig than that of the common shrew.

The nerve cells of the neostriatum in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus): a Golgi comparative study.

The studies were carried out on 12 brains derived from adult representatives of two mammalian orders, Insectivora and Rodentia. The neostriatum was compared in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). Three main types of striatal neuron were distinguished in the common shrew and five types of neurons in the bank vole. The fifth type of bank vole neurons was additionally divided into two subtypes with respect to dendritic pattern.

The neuronal structure of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus): Golgi and Nissl studies.

The topography and neuronal structure of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body (GLd) of the common shrew and the bank vole are similar. The lateral geniculate body of both the species examined has a homogeneous structure and no observable cytoarchitectonic lamination. On the basis of the shape of the dendritic arbours as well as the pattern of dendritic arborisations the following two types of neurons were distinguished. Type I "bushy" neurons that have multipolar or round perikarya (common shrew perikarya 9-12 microm, bank vole perikarya 10-13 microm), with 4-6 short thick dendritic trunks that subdivide into many bush-like branches. The dendritic trunks are smooth, in contrast to the distal branches, which are covered with numerous spine-like protrusions of different lengths and forms. An axon emerges from the soma, sometimes very close to one of the primary dendrites. The type I neurons are typically projection cells that send their axons to the primary visual cortex. These neurons predominate in the GLd of both species. Type II neurons, which have an elongated soma with primary dendrites arising from opposite poles of the perikaryon (common shrew perikarya 8-10 microm, bank vole perikarya 9-11 microm). The dendritic arbours of these cells are less extensive and their dendrites have fewer spines than those of the type I neurons. Axons were seldom observed. The type II neurons are presumably interneurons and are definitely less numerous than the type I neurons.

The neuronal structure of the preoptic area in the mole and the rabbit: Golgi and Nissl studies.

The present studies were carried out on the brains of the adult mole and rabbit. The preparations were made by means of the Golgi technique and the Nissl method. Two types of neurons were distinguished in the preoptic area (POA) of both species: bipolar and multipolar. The bipolar neurons have oval, fusiform or round perikarya and two dendritic trunks arising from the opposite poles of the cell body. The dendrites bifurcate once or twice. The dendritic branches have swellings, single spine-like and filiform processes. The multipolar neurons usually have triangular and quadrangular perikarya and from 3 to 5 dendritic trunks. The dendrites of the mole neurons branch sparsely, whereas the dendrites of the rabbit neurons display 2 or 3 divisions. On the dendritic branches varicosities and different protuberances were observed. The general morphology of the bipolar and multipolar neurons is similar in the mammals studied, although the neurons of the rabbit POA display a more complicated structure. Their dendritic branches show more divisions and possess more swellings and different processes than the dendrites of the neurons of the mole POA. Furthermore, of the multipolar neurons only the dendrites in POA of the rabbit were observed to have a rosary-like beaded appearance.

Types of neurons of the claustrum in the rabbit--Nissl, Klüver-Barrera and Golgi studies.

The studies were carried out on the claustrum of 8 adult rabbits. Four types of neurons were distinguished: 1. Multipolar neurons, which have dendritic trunks either with conus (multipolar polygonal perikarya) or without conus (multipolar rounded perikarya). Both subdivisions of the multipolar neurons have 3-6 dendritic trunks. Only some branches of these trunks have spines. An axon emerges mainly from the cell body, rarely from the initial part of the dendritic trunk. 2. Bipolar neurons with fusiform or rounded perikarya; they have two dendrites covered with spines. An axon originates directly from the cell body or from one of the dendritic trunks. 3. Triangular neurons, which have three dendritic branches with spines. An axon emerges directly from the soma, often near the primary dendritic trunk. 4. Pear-shaped neurons with one or two dendritic trunks arise from one pole of the cell body and with an axon that originates from the opposite side of the perikaryon. The dendrites are covered with spines.

[Evaluation of the value of cytological examination of group III, IV or V by comparison of histological examination results]. / Ocena wartosci badania cytologicznego grupy III, IV i V przez porównanie z wynikami badania histologicznego.

The agreement was studied of cytological examination of group III, IV, and V with the results of histopathological examination. The material consisted of 289 female patients who were referred to the department with the results of examinations carried out in cytological counselling centres outside the department. The attention was paid to age and obstetric history of the patients. The agreement of results was found in half the total number of cases. In 43.5% cytological evaluation was falsely positive, and in 7% falsely negative. The greatest variety of disease progression was found in the III cytological group.

[Exercise tests--evaluation of physical and coronary performance in patients after coronary angioplasty]. / Testy wysilkowe--ocena wydolnosci fizycznej i wiencowej u chorych po zabiegach koronaroplastycznych.

Exercise tests to assess both physical and coronary performance were carried out in 82 male patients aged between 31 and 62 years (mean 45.6 years) who underwent PTCA for unstable coronary disease (without a history of myocardial infarction). All patients were divided into two age groups: 31-45 years (group A), and 46-62 years (group B). Exercise test was carried out in all patients after 2-4 days, 6 and 12 months following PTCA. Ischemia was diagnosed in 15.2% of patients of group A during the first test, in 6.5% of patients during the second test, and in 4.3% of patients during the third test, indicating a decrease in ischemia. Signs of ischemia were noted in 5.6% of patients of group B in the first test increasing to 11.1% of patients during the second and third exercise testing. Ischemia was found in 6 out of 82 patients (7.3%) after one year following PTCA. Physical performance increased by 28% in patients of group A (p .01) after 6 months, and by 24.4% in patients of group B (p .01). Further increase in physical performance was noted after 12 months, i.e. by 42.1% (p .01) in group A, and by 53.3% (p .01) in group B. A significantly higher increase was noted in patients of group A (p .01) than that in group B after 6 months following PTCA. Therefore, PTCA proved beneficial in both age groups. However, this effect was first noted in younger patients.