Brain size and weight vary tremendously in the animal kingdom. It has been suggested that brain structural develop- ment must evolve balanced between the advantages of dealing with greater social challenges mad the en...Brain size and weight vary tremendously in the animal kingdom. It has been suggested that brain structural develop- ment must evolve balanced between the advantages of dealing with greater social challenges mad the energetic costs of maintain- ing and developing larger brains. Here we ask if interspecific differences in cooperative behaviour (i.e. cleaning behaviour) are related to brain weight variations in four close-related species of Labrid fish: two are obligatory cleanerfish throughout their en- tire life (Labroides dimidiatus and L. bicolor), one facultative cleaner fish Labropsis australis and one last species that never en- gage in cleaning Labrichthys unilineatus. We first search for the link between the rate of species' cooperation and its relative brain weight, and finally, if the degree of social complexity and cooperation are reflected in the weight of its major brain sub- structures. Overall, no differences were found in relative brain weight (in relation to body weight) across species. Fine-scale dif- ferences were solely demonstrated for the facultative cleaner L. australis, at the brainstem level. Furthermore, data visual exami- nation indicates that the average cerebellum and brainstem weights appear to be larger for L. dimidiatus. Because variation was solely found at specific brain areas (such as cerebellum and brainstem) and not for the whole brain weight values, it suggests that species social-ecological and cognitive demands may be directly contributing to a selective investment in relevant brain areas. This study provides first preliminary evidence that links potential differences in cognitive ability in cooperative behaviour to how these may mediate the evolution of brain structural development in non-mammal vertebrate groups .展开更多
The selection for large and small relative brain weight (RBW) in mice, started in 1999, resulted in stable significant differences in the trait (16%). The selection was discontinued at F22, and both lines (Large Brain...The selection for large and small relative brain weight (RBW) in mice, started in 1999, resulted in stable significant differences in the trait (16%). The selection was discontinued at F22, and both lines (Large Brain, LB and Small brain, SB) were maintained by random mating. In F25-F28 the significant differences in RBW were still present in spite of the lack of selection. In F28 ethanol injections (2.4 mg/kg, 12% ethanol, i.p.) were performed to animals of both lines. The ethanol effects were more intense in SB, than in LB line. Mice were tested in elevated and closed plus-mazes and in slip-funnel tests. Control LB mice explored new environment more actively and were less affected by stressful environment than SBs. SB ethanol mice were less anxious in elevated plus maze, initiated closed maze exploration earlier, moved more vividly and demonstrated lower anxiety level in elevated plus maze than saline injected mice, while changes in these behaviors after ethanol were not so clear in LB mice, although their locomotion level increased.展开更多
Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) is a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) technique that is increasingly being used to narrow the differential diagnosis of many neurologic disorders. It exploits the...Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) is a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) technique that is increasingly being used to narrow the differential diagnosis of many neurologic disorders. It exploits the magnetic susceptibility differences of various compounds including deoxygenated blood, blood products, iron and calcium, thus enabling a new source of contrast in MR. In this review, we illustrate its basic clinical applications in neuroimaging. SWI is based on a fully velocity-compensated, high-resolution, three dimensional gradientecho sequence using magnitude and phase images either separately or in combination with each other, in order to characterize brain tissue. SWI is particularly useful in the setting of trauma and acute neurologic presentations suggestive of stroke, but can also characterize occult low-flow vascular malformations, cerebral microbleeds, intracranial calcifications, neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Furthermore, advanced MRI post-processing technique with quantitative susceptibility mapping, enables detailed anatomical differentiation based on quantification of brain iron from SWI raw data.展开更多
The rat high-impact free weight drop model mimics the diffuse axonal injury caused by severe traumatic brain injury in humans,while severe controlled cortical impact can produce a severe traumatic brain injury model u...The rat high-impact free weight drop model mimics the diffuse axonal injury caused by severe traumatic brain injury in humans,while severe controlled cortical impact can produce a severe traumatic brain injury model using precise strike parameters.In this study,we compare the pathological mechanisms and pathological changes between two rat severe brain injury models to identify the similarities and differences.The severe controlled cortical impact model was produced by an electronic controlled cortical impact device,while the severe free weight drop model was produced by dropping a 500 g free weight from a height of 1.8 m through a plastic tube.Body temperature and mortality were recorded,and neurological deficits were assessed with the modified neurological severity score.Brain edema and bloodbrain barrier damage were evaluated by assessing brain water content and Evans blue extravasation.In addition,a cytokine array kit was used to detect inflammatory cytokines.Neuronal apoptosis in the brain and brainstem was quantified by immunofluorescence staining.Both the severe controlled cortical impact and severe free weight drop models exhibited significant neurological impairments and body temperature fluctuations.More severe motor dysfunction was observed in the severe controlled cortical impact model,while more severe cognitive dysfunction was observed in the severe free weight drop model.Brain edema,inflammatory cytokine changes and cortical neuronal apoptosis were more substantial and blood-brain barrier damage was more focal in the severe controlled cortical impact group compared with the severe free weight drop group.The severe free weight drop model presented with more significant apoptosis in the brainstem and diffused blood-brain barrier damage,with higher mortality and lower repeatability compared with the severe controlled cortical impact group.Severe brainstem damage was not found in the severe controlled cortical impact model.These results indicate that the severe controlled cortical impact model is relatively more stable,more reproducible,and shows obvious cerebral pathological changes at an earlier stage.Therefore,the severe controlled cortical impact model is likely more suitable for studies on severe focal traumatic brain injury,while the severe free weight drop model may be more apt for studies on diffuse axonal injury.All experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments of Tianjin Medical University,China(approval No.IRB2012-028-02)in Febru ary 2012.展开更多
文摘Brain size and weight vary tremendously in the animal kingdom. It has been suggested that brain structural develop- ment must evolve balanced between the advantages of dealing with greater social challenges mad the energetic costs of maintain- ing and developing larger brains. Here we ask if interspecific differences in cooperative behaviour (i.e. cleaning behaviour) are related to brain weight variations in four close-related species of Labrid fish: two are obligatory cleanerfish throughout their en- tire life (Labroides dimidiatus and L. bicolor), one facultative cleaner fish Labropsis australis and one last species that never en- gage in cleaning Labrichthys unilineatus. We first search for the link between the rate of species' cooperation and its relative brain weight, and finally, if the degree of social complexity and cooperation are reflected in the weight of its major brain sub- structures. Overall, no differences were found in relative brain weight (in relation to body weight) across species. Fine-scale dif- ferences were solely demonstrated for the facultative cleaner L. australis, at the brainstem level. Furthermore, data visual exami- nation indicates that the average cerebellum and brainstem weights appear to be larger for L. dimidiatus. Because variation was solely found at specific brain areas (such as cerebellum and brainstem) and not for the whole brain weight values, it suggests that species social-ecological and cognitive demands may be directly contributing to a selective investment in relevant brain areas. This study provides first preliminary evidence that links potential differences in cognitive ability in cooperative behaviour to how these may mediate the evolution of brain structural development in non-mammal vertebrate groups .
文摘The selection for large and small relative brain weight (RBW) in mice, started in 1999, resulted in stable significant differences in the trait (16%). The selection was discontinued at F22, and both lines (Large Brain, LB and Small brain, SB) were maintained by random mating. In F25-F28 the significant differences in RBW were still present in spite of the lack of selection. In F28 ethanol injections (2.4 mg/kg, 12% ethanol, i.p.) were performed to animals of both lines. The ethanol effects were more intense in SB, than in LB line. Mice were tested in elevated and closed plus-mazes and in slip-funnel tests. Control LB mice explored new environment more actively and were less affected by stressful environment than SBs. SB ethanol mice were less anxious in elevated plus maze, initiated closed maze exploration earlier, moved more vividly and demonstrated lower anxiety level in elevated plus maze than saline injected mice, while changes in these behaviors after ethanol were not so clear in LB mice, although their locomotion level increased.
文摘Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) is a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) technique that is increasingly being used to narrow the differential diagnosis of many neurologic disorders. It exploits the magnetic susceptibility differences of various compounds including deoxygenated blood, blood products, iron and calcium, thus enabling a new source of contrast in MR. In this review, we illustrate its basic clinical applications in neuroimaging. SWI is based on a fully velocity-compensated, high-resolution, three dimensional gradientecho sequence using magnitude and phase images either separately or in combination with each other, in order to characterize brain tissue. SWI is particularly useful in the setting of trauma and acute neurologic presentations suggestive of stroke, but can also characterize occult low-flow vascular malformations, cerebral microbleeds, intracranial calcifications, neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Furthermore, advanced MRI post-processing technique with quantitative susceptibility mapping, enables detailed anatomical differentiation based on quantification of brain iron from SWI raw data.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81671221(to RCJ)
文摘The rat high-impact free weight drop model mimics the diffuse axonal injury caused by severe traumatic brain injury in humans,while severe controlled cortical impact can produce a severe traumatic brain injury model using precise strike parameters.In this study,we compare the pathological mechanisms and pathological changes between two rat severe brain injury models to identify the similarities and differences.The severe controlled cortical impact model was produced by an electronic controlled cortical impact device,while the severe free weight drop model was produced by dropping a 500 g free weight from a height of 1.8 m through a plastic tube.Body temperature and mortality were recorded,and neurological deficits were assessed with the modified neurological severity score.Brain edema and bloodbrain barrier damage were evaluated by assessing brain water content and Evans blue extravasation.In addition,a cytokine array kit was used to detect inflammatory cytokines.Neuronal apoptosis in the brain and brainstem was quantified by immunofluorescence staining.Both the severe controlled cortical impact and severe free weight drop models exhibited significant neurological impairments and body temperature fluctuations.More severe motor dysfunction was observed in the severe controlled cortical impact model,while more severe cognitive dysfunction was observed in the severe free weight drop model.Brain edema,inflammatory cytokine changes and cortical neuronal apoptosis were more substantial and blood-brain barrier damage was more focal in the severe controlled cortical impact group compared with the severe free weight drop group.The severe free weight drop model presented with more significant apoptosis in the brainstem and diffused blood-brain barrier damage,with higher mortality and lower repeatability compared with the severe controlled cortical impact group.Severe brainstem damage was not found in the severe controlled cortical impact model.These results indicate that the severe controlled cortical impact model is relatively more stable,more reproducible,and shows obvious cerebral pathological changes at an earlier stage.Therefore,the severe controlled cortical impact model is likely more suitable for studies on severe focal traumatic brain injury,while the severe free weight drop model may be more apt for studies on diffuse axonal injury.All experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments of Tianjin Medical University,China(approval No.IRB2012-028-02)in Febru ary 2012.