scholarly journals Allometric analysis of brain cell number in Hymenoptera suggests ant brains diverge from general trends

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1947) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Keating Godfrey ◽  
Mira Swartzlander ◽  
Wulfila Gronenberg
Keyword(s):  
Brain Size ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Brain Cell ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Neuron Density ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
Isotropic Fractionator ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Allometric Analysis

Many comparative neurobiological studies seek to connect sensory or behavioural attributes across taxa with differences in their brain composition. Recent studies in vertebrates suggest cell number and density may be better correlated with behavioural ability than brain mass or volume, but few estimates of such figures exist for insects. Here, we use the isotropic fractionator (IF) method to estimate total brain cell numbers for 32 species of Hymenoptera spanning seven subfamilies. We find estimates from using this method are comparable to traditional, whole-brain cell counts of two species and to published estimates from established stereological methods. We present allometric scaling relationships between body and brain mass, brain mass and nuclei number, and body mass and cell density and find that ants stand out from bees and wasps as having particularly small brains by measures of mass and cell number. We find that Hymenoptera follow the general trend of smaller animals having proportionally larger brains. Smaller Hymenoptera also feature higher brain cell densities than the larger ones, as is the case in most vertebrates, but in contrast with primates, in which neuron density remains rather constant across changes in brain mass. Overall, our findings establish the IF as a useful method for comparative studies of brain size evolution in insects.

Some Behavioral Differences in Mice Genetically Selected for High and Low Brain Weight

1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Wimer ◽  
Lee Prater
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
High Selection

Learning ability, exploratory behavior, and emotionality were measured in mice genetically selected for high and low total brain weight. The high selection lines scored significantly higher than the low lines in locomotor activity in the open field and discrimination learning performance in a water maze, and these findings were supported by correlations between brain weight and behavioral scores within unselected control lines. There is some evidence that these behavioral differences are associated with general changes in brain size produced by genetic selection.

scholarly journals Role for Akt3/Protein Kinase Bγ in Attainment of Normal Brain Size

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1869-1878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael M. Easton ◽  
Han Cho ◽  
Kristin Roovers ◽  
Diana W. Shineman ◽  
Moshe Mizrahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Proportional Decrease

ABSTRACT Studies of Drosophila and mammals have revealed the importance of insulin signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B for the regulation of cell, organ, and organismal growth. In mammals, three highly conserved proteins, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3, comprise the Akt family, of which the first two are required for normal growth and metabolism, respectively. Here we address the function of Akt3. Like Akt1, Akt3 is not required for the maintenance of normal carbohydrate metabolism but is essential for the attainment of normal organ size. However, in contrast to Akt1 − / − mice, which display a proportional decrease in the sizes of all organs, Akt3 −/− mice present a selective 20% decrease in brain size. Moreover, although Akt1- and Akt3-deficient brains are reduced in size to approximately the same degree, the absence of Akt1 leads to a reduction in cell number, whereas the lack of Akt3 results in smaller and fewer cells. Finally, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling is attenuated in the brains of Akt3 −/− but not Akt1 −/− mice, suggesting that differential regulation of this pathway contributes to an isoform-specific regulation of cell growth.

scholarly journals Human Physiological Responses to a Single Deep Helium-Oxygen Diving

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Chen Bao ◽  
Quan Shen ◽  
Yi-Qun Fang ◽  
Jian-guo Wu
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Creatine Kinase ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Cell Counts

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore whether a single deep helium-oxygen (heliox) dive affects physiological function.Methods: A total of 40 male divers performed an open-water heliox dive to 80 m of seawater (msw). The total diving time was 280 min, and the breathing helium-oxygen time was 20 min. Before and after the dive, blood and saliva samples were collected, and blood cell counts, cardiac damage, oxidative stress, vascular endothelial activation, and hormonal biomarkers were assayed.Results: An 80 msw heliox dive induced a significant increase in the percentage of granulocytes (GR %), whereas the percentage of lymphocytes (LYM %), percentage of intermediate cells (MID %), red blood cell number (RBC), hematocrit (hCT), and platelets (PLT) decreased. During the dive, concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), a myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) in serum and amylase alpha 1 (AMY1), and testosterone levels in saliva increased, in contrast, IgA levels in saliva decreased. Diving caused a significant increase in serum glutathione (GSH) levels and reduced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels but had no effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels.Conclusion: A single 80 msw heliox dive activates the endothelium, causes skeletal-muscle damage, and induces oxidative stress and physiological stress responses, as reflected in changes in biomarker concentrations.

Endothelial Keratoplasty: The Influence of Preoperative Donor Endothelial Cell Densities on Dislocation, Primary Graft Failure, and 1-Year Cell Counts

Cornea ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1131-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A Terry ◽  
Neda Shamie ◽  
Edwin S Chen ◽  
Karen L Hoar ◽  
Paul M Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Primary Graft Failure ◽  
Cell Densities

Bile salt exposure increases proliferation through p38 and ERK MAPK pathways in a non-neoplastic Barrett’s cell line

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. G335-G342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kshama Jaiswal ◽  
Christie Lopez-Guzman ◽  
Rhonda F. Souza ◽  
Stuart J. Spechler ◽  
George A. Sarosi
Keyword(s):  
Bile Salt ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Bile Salts ◽  
Bile Reflux ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Neoplastic Progression ◽  
Mapk Pathways ◽  
Cell Counts

Bile reflux has been implicated in the neoplastic progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Bile salts increase proliferation in a Barrett’s-associated adenocarcinoma cell line (SEG-1 cells) by activating ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. However, it is not clear that these findings in cancer cells are applicable to non-neoplastic cells of benign BE. We examined the effect of bile salts on three human cell lines: normal esophageal squamous (NES) cells, non-neoplastic Barrett’s cells (BAR cells), and SEG-1 cells. We hypothesized that bile salt exposure activates proproliferative and antiapoptotic pathways to promote increased growth in BE. NES, BAR, and SEG-1 cells were exposed to glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDA) at a neutral pH for 5 min. Proliferation was measured by Coulter counter cell counts and a 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. GCDA-induced MAPK activation was examined by Western blot analysis for phosphorylated ERK and p38. Apoptosis was measured by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and annexin V staining after GCDA and UV-B exposure. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA. NES cells exposed to 5 min of GCDA did not increase cell number. In BAR cells, GCDA exposure increased cell number by 31%, increased phosphorylated p38 and ERK levels by two- to three-fold, increased BrdU incorporation by 30%, and decreased UV-induced apoptosis by 15–20%. In conclusion, in a non-neoplastic Barrett’s cell line, GCDA exposure induces proliferation by activation of both ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. These findings suggest a potential mechanism whereby bile reflux may facilitate the neoplastic progression of BE.

A quantitative study of the growth and development of the ventral root in normal and experimental conditions

Development ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 819-833
Author(s):  
M. C. Prestige ◽  
Margaret A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Normal Development ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Ventral Horn ◽  
Ventral Root ◽  
Limb Bud ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Collateral Sprouting ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Ventral Roots ◽  
Fibre Loss

1. The development of the ventral root (VR) in Xenopus has been studied by electron microscopy. Total fibre counts, and counts of classes of fibres were made from large photomontages of the whole of VR 9 at × 15000. 2. The total number of fibres in the root shows the same pattern of initial rise, peak, and subsequent decline that previous ventral horn (VH) cell counts had shown, The two curves overlay each other initially, but after the decline, there were apparently more cells than fibres. 3. Promyelin and myelin formation was seen at the time of the decline. There was no evidence that dying axons had started to myelinate. 4. In some animals the limb-bud was removed at the time of its first penetration by nerve fibres. The ventral roots developed normally for a week, but thereafter fibre loss was accentuated, advanced and more profound, so that after another week, no fibres were left. In these roots, no promyelin or myelin was formed. 5. In other animals, it was shown that there is no evidence for collateral sprouting in the ventral roots during normal development. 6. It is argued that the axons which die in normal development have already reached the limb-bud. 7. The correspondence between axon and cell number is discussed.

Rapid increase in mast cell numbers in canine central and peripheral airways

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Turner ◽  
J. Kolbe ◽  
E. W. Spannhake
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cell ◽  
Airway Epithelium ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Isotonic Saline ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Small Airways ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Peripheral Airways ◽  
Cell Counts

In preliminary studies of antigen-induced airway inflammation, we noted an apparent increase in peribronchiolar mast cell number. Experiments were thus undertaken to investigate the nature of this migration of mast cells into the central and peripheral airway epithelium and to determine its time course. The tracheae and small airways of 10 anesthetized mongrel dogs were exposed via a bronchoscope to Ascaris suum antigen (Ag), fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), ovalbumin (OVA), and isotonic saline (SAL). In the central airways, all stimuli provoked a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in mast cell numbers at the base of the airway epithelium within 3 h. In the peripheral airways, only Ag aerosol stimulated a significant mast cell increase compared with unexposed tissue. In a second series of experiments, the trachea of seven dogs were exposed to 0.026, 0.26, and 2.6 micrograms of Ag. The tissue was collected at 1, 3, 6, and 10 h after exposure. In these experiments, there was a significant mast cell increase seen within 1 h but it was not dose dependent. By 6-10 h after exposure, mast cell counts were not significantly different from the unexposed condition, which is consistent with the idea that some of the cells either degranulated or migrated into the airway lumen. We conclude that mast cell migration is an acute response that can be demonstrated within 1 h of stimulation with Ag. The observation that nonimmunological stimuli may, in some cases, also stimulate mast cell movement affords the possibility that this process represents a generalized response to airway irritation.

Density-Dependent Growth Adaptation Kinetics in 3T 3 Cell Populations Following Sudden [Ca2+] and Temperature Changes. A Comparison with SV40-3T3 Cells

1979 ◽  
Vol 34 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 279-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen van der Bosch ◽  
Ilse Sommer ◽  
Heinz Maier ◽  
Willy Rahmig
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
3T3 Cells ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Dependent Growth ◽  
Growth Adaptation ◽  
Stationary Cell

Abstract Lowered extracellular [Ca2+] causes low growth rates and low stationary cell densities in 3T3 cell cultures as compared to physiological [Ca2+]. Under otherwise constant conditions the extra­ cellular [Ca2+] determines a stable stationary cell density, which can be readied by increase of net cell number or decrease of net cell number, depending on cell density at the time of [Ca2+] adjustment. SV40-3T3 cells do not show this [Ca2+] dependency. At 39 °C 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cell populations show an increased growth rate at low cell densities as compared to cell populations at 35 °C. Approaching the stationary density the growth rate of both cell sorts is reduced faster at 39 °C than at 35 °C, leading to lower stationary cell densities at 39 °C than at 35 °C. A temperature change from 39 °C to 35 °C or in the opposite direction can affect the stationary cell density of 3T3 cell populations only if applied before reduction of growth rate by density-dependent growth-inhibiting principles has taken place.

scholarly journals Do Different Methods Yield Equivalent Estimations of Brain Size in Birds?

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Diego Ocampo ◽  
César Sánchez ◽  
Gilbert Barrantes
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Relative Brain Size ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Endocranial Volume ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Size Estimates

The ratio of brain size to body size (relative brain size) is often used as a measure of relative investment in the brain in ecological and evolutionary studies on a wide range of animal groups. In birds, a variety of methods have been used to measure the brain size part of this ratio, including endocranial volume, fixed brain mass, and fresh brain mass. It is still unclear, however, whether these methods yield the same results. Using data obtained from fresh corpses and from published sources, this study shows that endocranial volume, mass of fixed brain tissue, and fresh mass provide equivalent estimations of brain size for 48 bird families, in 19 orders. We found, however, that the various methods yield significantly different brain size estimates for hummingbirds (Trochilidae). For hummingbirds, fixed brain mass tends to underestimate brain size due to reduced tissue density, whereas endocranial volume overestimates brain size because it includes a larger volume than that occupied by the brain.

scholarly journals Murine recombinant interleukin-3 induces recovery of T and B cells in irradiated mice

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1563-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Frasca ◽  
G Leter ◽  
G Doria
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Con A ◽  
Double Positive ◽  
Cd8 Cells ◽  
Interleukin 3 ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
Sublethal Irradiation

Abstract Injection of murine recombinant interleukin-3 (IL-3) into (C57BL/10 x DBA/2)F1 mice, sublethally irradiated with 300 cGy and killed 14 days later, induced in the thymus recovery of the cell number and mitotic responsiveness to concanavalin A (Con A), as well as an increase in number of double-negative CD4-CD8-, double-positive CD4+ CD8+, and single-positive CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ cells. Also in the spleen, the cell count and mitotic responsiveness to Con A and lipopolysaccharide were increased to normal levels by IL-3 treatment. If the assays were performed 21 or 28 days after irradiation, IL-3 treatment was able to restore thymus and spleen cell counts as well as T- and B-cell mitotic responsiveness, even when mice were exposed to 400 or 500 cGy, respectively. These results altogether indicate that IL-3 induces differentiation and growth of thymocytes and recovery of T- and B-cell functions in mice exposed to sublethal irradiation.

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