scholarly journals Activity-dependent circuitry plasticity via the regulation of the histamine receptor level in the Drosophila visual system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiming Bai ◽  
Takashi Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Visual System ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Histamine Receptor ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Enhanced Activity ◽  
Photoreceptor Neurons ◽  
Activity Dependent

Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is crucial for responses to the environment. Although the plasticity mechanisms of presynaptic photoreceptor neurons in the Drosophila visual system have been well studied, postsynaptic modifications remain elusive. In addition, further studies on the adaption of the visual system to different light experiences at a circuitry scale are required. Using the modified transcriptional reporter of intracellular Ca2+ method, we describe a way to visualize circuitry changes according to different light experiences. We found enhanced postsynaptic neuronal activity responses in lamina monopolar neuron L2 after prolonged light treatment. Although L1 also has connections with photoreceptors, there were no enhanced activity responses in L1. We also report in this study that activity-dependent transcriptional downregulation of inhibitory histamine receptors (HRs) occurs in postsynaptic neuron L2, but not in L1, during continuous light conditions. We expressed exogenous HR proteins in L2 neurons and found that it attenuated the enhanced activity response caused by constant light exposure. These findings, together with the fact that histamine is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter released by photoreceptors in the Drosophila visual system, confirmed our hypothesis that the activity-dependent transcriptional downregulation of HRs is responsible for the constant light exposure-induced circuitry response changes in L2. The results successfully demonstrated the selective circuit change after synaptic remodeling evoked by long-term activation and provided in vivo evidence of circuitry plasticity upon long-term environmental stimulation.

scholarly journals The Effect on Rat Thymocytes of the Simultaneous In Vivo Exposure to 50-Hz Electric and Magnetic Field and to Continuous Light

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Quaglino ◽  
Miriam Capri ◽  
Luigi Zecca ◽  
Claudio Franceschi ◽  
Ivonne P. Ronchetti
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Dark Light ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Electric And Magnetic Fields

Thymus plays an important role in the immune system and can be modulated by numerous environmental factors, including electromagnetic fields (EMF). The present study has been undertaken with the aim to investigate the role of long-term exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on thymocytes of rats housed in a regular dark/light cycle or under continuous light. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 2 months old, were exposed or sham exposed for 8 months to 50-Hz sinusoidal EMF at two levels of field strength (1 kV/m, 5 μT and 5 kV/m, 100 μT, respectively). Thymus from adult animals exhibits signs of gradual atrophy mainly due to collagen deposition and fat substitution. This physiological involution may be accelerated by continuous light exposure that induces a massive death of thymocytes. The concurrent exposure to continuous light and to ELF-EMF did not change significantly the rate of mitoses compared to sham-exposed rats, whereas the amount of cell death was significantly increased, also in comparison with animals exposed to EMF in a 12-h dark-light cycle. In conclusion, long-term exposure to ELF-EMF, in animals housed under continuous light, may reinforce the alterations due to a photic stress, suggesting that,in vivo, stress and ELF-EMF exposure can act in synergy determining a more rapid involution of the thymus and might be responsible for an increased susceptibility to the potentially hazardous effects of ELF-EMF.

INTERACTIONS OF THE PINEAL AND EXPOSURE TO CONTINUOUS LIGHT ON ORGAN WEIGHTS OF FEMALE RATS

1961 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Jay Wurtman ◽  
Willard Roth ◽  
Mark D. Altschule ◽  
Judith J. Wurtman
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Ovarian Weight ◽  
Organ Weights ◽  
Bovine Pineal Extracts ◽  
Pineal Extracts ◽  
Effect Of Light

ABSTRACT Either exposure to constant light for 80 days or pinealectomy produced similar changes in the weights of the ovaries and adrenals of female rats. These were not additive when both procedures were employed. Pinealectomy did not share with light-exposure the capacity to induce uterine hypertrophy. Rats exposed to constant light for 56 days had lighter pineals than animals kept in darkness; this decrease was not affected by administration of bovine pineal extracts. The increase in ovarian weight produced in rats by exposure to light for 56 days was prevented by bovine pineal extracts, but these extracts were without effect on the uterine hypertrophy produced under the same conditions. These data suggest that the effect of light upon the weight of the ovary is mediated via the pineal.

scholarly journals Investigating the Growth of Algae Under Low Atmospheric Pressures for Potential Food and Oxygen Production on Mars

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena M. Cycil ◽  
Elisabeth M. Hausrath ◽  
Douglas W. Ming ◽  
Christopher T. Adcock ◽  
James Raymond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Snow Algae ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support System ◽  
Potential Food ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support

With long-term missions to Mars and beyond that would not allow resupply, a self-sustaining Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) is essential. Algae are promising candidates for BLSS due to their completely edible biomass, fast growth rates and ease of handling. Extremophilic algae such as snow algae and halophilic algae may also be especially suited for a BLSS because of their ability to grow under extreme conditions. However, as indicated from over 50 prior space studies examining algal growth, little is known about the growth of algae at close to Mars-relevant pressures. Here, we explored the potential for five algae species to produce oxygen and food under low-pressure conditions relevant to Mars. These included Chloromonas brevispina, Kremastochrysopsis austriaca, Dunaliella salina, Chlorella vulgaris, and Spirulina plantensis. The cultures were grown in duplicate in a low-pressure growth chamber at 670 ± 20 mbar, 330 ± 20 mbar, 160 ± 20 mbar, and 80 ± 2.5 mbar pressures under continuous light exposure (62–70 μmol m–2 s–1). The atmosphere was evacuated and purged with CO2 after sampling each week. Growth experiments showed that D. salina, C. brevispina, and C. vulgaris were the best candidates to be used for BLSS at low pressure. The highest carrying capacities for each species under low pressure conditions were achieved by D. salina at 160 mbar (30.0 ± 4.6 × 105 cells/ml), followed by C. brevispina at 330 mbar (19.8 ± 0.9 × 105 cells/ml) and C. vulgaris at 160 mbar (13.0 ± 1.5 × 105 cells/ml). C. brevispina, D. salina, and C. vulgaris all also displayed substantial growth at the lowest tested pressure of 80 mbar reaching concentrations of 43.4 ± 2.5 × 104, 15.8 ± 1.3 × 104, and 57.1 ± 4.5 × 104 cells per ml, respectively. These results indicate that these species are promising candidates for the development of a Mars-based BLSS using low pressure (∼200–300 mbar) greenhouses and inflatable structures that have already been conceptualized and designed.

scholarly journals The Circadian Hormone Melatonin Inhibits Morphine-Induced Tolerance and Inflammation via the Activation of Antioxidative Enzymes

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 780
Author(s):  
Ing-Jung Chen ◽  
Chih-Ping Yang ◽  
Sheng-Hsiung Lin ◽  
Chang-Mei Lai ◽  
Chih-Shung Wong
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Antioxidative Enzymes ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Morphine Tolerance ◽  
Melatonin Receptors ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Clinical Pain ◽  
The Impact

Opioids are commonly prescribed for clinical pain management; however, dose-escalation, tolerance, dependence, and addiction limit their usability for long-term chronic pain. The associated poor sleep pattern alters the circadian neurobiology, and further compromises the pain management. Here, we aim to determine the correlation between constant light exposure and morphine tolerance and explore the potential of melatonin as an adjuvant of morphine for neuropathic pain treatment. Methods: Wistar rats were preconditioned under constant light (LL) or a regular light/dark (LD) cycle before neuropathic pain induction by chronic constriction injury. An intrathecal (i.t.) osmotic pump was used for continued drug delivery to induce morphine tolerance. Pain assessments, including the plantar test, static weight-bearing symmetry, and tail-flick latency, were used to determine the impact of the light disruption or exogenous melatonin on the morphine tolerance progression. Results: constant light exposure significantly aggravates morphine tolerance in neuropathic rats. Continued infusion of low-dose melatonin (3 μg/h) attenuated morphine tolerance in both neuropathic and naïve rats. This protective effect was independent of melatonin receptors, as shown by the neutral effect of melatonin receptors inhibitors. The transcriptional profiling demonstrated a significant enhancement of proinflammatory and pain-related receptor genes in morphine-tolerant rats. In contrast, this transcriptional pattern was abolished by melatonin coinfusion along with the upregulation of the Kcnip3 gene. Moreover, melatonin increased the antioxidative enzymes SOD2, HO-1, and GPx1 in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats. Conclusion: Dysregulated circadian light exposure significantly compromises the efficacy of morphine’s antinociceptive effect, while the cotreatment with melatonin attenuates morphine tolerance/hyperalgesia development. Our results suggest the potential of melatonin as an adjuvant of morphine in clinical pain management, particularly in patients who need long-term opioid treatment.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PINEAL GLAND, THE HARDERIAN GLANDS, THE RETINA, AND THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF ADULT FEMALE RATS EXPOSED TO CONTINUOUS LIGHT

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. REITER ◽  
D. C. KLEIN
Keyword(s):  
Adult Female ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Continuous Illumination ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Harderian Glands

SUMMARY Harderian gland removal caused enlargement of the uteri of adult female albino rats which were maintained in 14 h light and 10 h darkness/day. Constant light exposure led to regression of the ovaries, adrenal glands and Harderian glands while the uteri exhibited a significant hypertrophic response. None of these changes were affected by surgical removal of the Harderian glands. The eyes and the retinas of albino rats maintained under continuous illumination underwent atrophic changes with the receptor cell elements of the retinas completely disappearing within 9½ weeks. Constant light obliterated the diurnal rhythm in the pineal enzyme, N-acetyltransferase. Neither the activity of pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyl-transferase nor the activity of pineal N-acetyltransferase were influenced by removal of the Harderian glands.

scholarly journals Relief of Synaptic Depression Produces Long-Term Enhancement in Thalamocortical Networks

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 2479-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akio Hirata ◽  
Manuel A. Castro-Alamancos
Keyword(s):  
Field Potential ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Spontaneous Firing ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Activity Dependent ◽  
Spontaneous Firing Rate ◽  
Theta Burst

Thalamocortical synapses may be able to undergo activity-dependent long-term changes in efficacy, such as long-term potentiation. Indeed, studies conducted in vivo have found that theta-burst stimulation (TBS) of the thalamus induces a long-term enhancement (LTE) of field potential responses evoked in the neocortex of adult rodents. Because the thalamus and neocortex form a complex interconnected network that is highly active in vivo, it is possible that a change in thalamic excitability would be reflected in the neocortex. To test this possibility, we recorded from barrel neocortex and applied TBS to the thalamic radiation while the somatosensory thalamus was inactivated with muscimol. Thalamocortical LTE was absent when the thalamus was inactivated, suggesting that changes in thalamic excitability are involved. Single-unit recordings from thalamocortical cells revealed that TBS causes a significant reduction in the spontaneous firing rate of thalamocortical cells. Reducing the spontaneous firing of thalamocortical cells directly enhances the efficacy of the thalamocortical pathway because it relieves the tonic depression of the thalamocortical connection caused by thalamocortical activity. Because these changes in thalamic excitability are triggered by corticothalamic activity, this may be a useful top-down mechanism to regulate afferent sensory input to the neocortex during behavior as a function of experience.

scholarly journals Continuous Light Does Not Affect Atherosclerosis in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-611
Author(s):  
Maaike Schilperoort ◽  
Rosa van den Berg ◽  
Claudia P. Coomans ◽  
Padmini P. S. J. Khedoe ◽  
Ashna Ramkisoensing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Constant Light ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cell Counts

Artificial light exposure is associated with dyslipidemia in humans, which is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unclear whether artificial light at night can exacerbate atherosclerosis. In this study, we exposed female APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice, a well-established model for human-like lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, to either a regular light-dark cycle or to constant bright light for 14 weeks. Mice exposed to constant light demonstrated a minor reduction in food intake, without any effect on body weight, body composition, or the weight of metabolic organs. Constant light increased the plasma levels of proatherogenic non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol but did not increase the size or severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root. Mice exposed to constant light did show lower immune cell counts, which could explain the absence of an effect of atherosclerosis despite increased non–HDL cholesterol levels. Behavioral analysis demonstrated variability in the response of mice to the light intervention. Constant light completely blunted behavioral rhythms in some mice, while others extended their behavioral period. However, rhythm strength was not an important determinant of atherosclerosis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that constant bright light does not affect atherosclerosis in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice. Whether artificial light exposure contributes to cardiovascular disease risk in humans remains to be investigated.

Visual dysfunction after long-term continuous light exposure

1973 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 652-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin H. Bennett ◽  
Robert F. Dyer ◽  
Jon D. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Visual Dysfunction

Visual-deficit following long-term continuous light exposure

1973 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin H. Bennett ◽  
Robert F. Dyer ◽  
Jon D. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Visual Deficit
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