I. Biological Organization and the Integrative Function of the Nervous System

2015 ◽  
pp. 3-113
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Integrative Function

scholarly journals Beyond survival experiments: using biomarkers of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity to assess vulnerability of subterranean fauna to climate change

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Pallarés ◽  
Juan C Sanchez-Hernandez ◽  
Raquel Colado ◽  
Pau Balart-García ◽  
Jordi Comas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
System Level ◽  
High Temperature Treatment ◽  
Transferase Activity ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Biomarkers Of Oxidative Stress

Abstract Accurate assessments of species vulnerability to climate change need to consider the physiological capacity of organisms to deal with temperature changes and identify early signs of thermally induced stress. Oxidative stress biomarkers and acetylcholinesterase activity are useful proxies of stress at the cellular and nervous system level. Such responses are especially relevant for poor dispersal organisms with limited capacity for behavioural thermoregulation, like deep subterranean species. We combined experimental measurements of upper lethal thermal limits, acclimation capacity and biomarkers of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity to assess the impact of heat stress (20°C) at different exposure times (2 and 7 days) on the Iberian endemic subterranean beetle Parvospeonomus canyellesi. Survival response (7 days of exposure) was similar to that reported for other subterranean specialist beetles (high survival up to 20°C but no above 23°C). However, a low physiological plasticity (i.e. incapacity to increase heat tolerance via acclimation) and signs of impairment at the cellular and nervous system level were observed after 7 days of exposure at 20°C. Such sublethal effects were identified by significant differences in total antioxidant capacity, glutathione S-transferase activity, the ratio of reduced to oxidized forms of glutathione and acetylcholinesterase activity between the control (cave temperature) and 20°C treatment. At 2 days of exposure, most biomarker values indicated some degree of oxidative stress in both the control and high-temperature treatment, likely reflecting an initial altered physiological status associated to factors other than temperature. Considering these integrated responses and the predicted increase in temperature in its unique locality, P. canyellesi would have a narrower thermal safety margin to face climate change than that obtained considering only survival experiments. Our results highlight the importance of exploring thermally sensitive processes at different levels of biological organization to obtain more accurate estimates of the species capacity to face climate change.

Localization of neuropeptides in the nervous system of the brittle star Ophiura ophiura

1994 ◽  
Vol 346 (1318) ◽  
pp. 433-444 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Nerve Cord ◽  
Radial Nerve ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Brittle Star ◽  
Integrative Function ◽  
Patterns Of Distribution ◽  
Discrete Populations ◽  
Whole Mounts

Immunocytochemical investigations using antisera against the SALMFamide neuropeptide S1 and RFamide were carried out on whole mounts of the radial nerve cord and circumoral ring of the brittle star Ophiura ophiura . Both antisera show an abundant immunoreactivity in the ectoneural tissue and give similar patterns of distribution. They show that in the radial nerve cord there are discrete populations of neurons organized in an identical pattern in each segment. At the junction with the ring, however, the two proximal segments of the nerve cord are differentiated from the distal ones by increased numbers of immunoreactive neurons. This is probably due to the more complex integrative function in that area. In the ring, immunolabelling is simple and consists of fibre tracts and two local ganglia. In each segment both antisera label either one or two giant neurons the shape of which is similar to that of a class of fibres that have been described from intra-cellular dyefills. The SI- and RFamide-like distributions, although very similar, show some neurons which are only labelled by one antiserum. Since preabsorption controls indicate no cross-reactivity between antisera, there is evidence of two distinct neuropeptides in the nervous system of the brittle star.

Neurotropic enteroviruses co-opt “fair-weather-friend” commensal gut microbiota to drive host infection and central nervous system disturbances

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin B. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Gut Bacteria ◽  
Infection Cycle ◽  
Fair Weather ◽  
Host Health ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Animal Hosts ◽  
Host Infection ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Abstract Some neurotropic enteroviruses hijack Trojan horse/raft commensal gut bacteria to render devastating biomimicking cryptic attacks on human/animal hosts. Such virus-microbe interactions manipulate hosts’ gut-brain axes with accompanying infection-cycle-optimizing central nervous system (CNS) disturbances, including severe neurodevelopmental, neuromotor, and neuropsychiatric conditions. Co-opted bacteria thus indirectly influence host health, development, behavior, and mind as possible “fair-weather-friend” symbionts, switching from commensal to context-dependent pathogen-like strategies benefiting gut-bacteria fitness.

Introduction to Cell Membranes at Molecular Resolution

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-502
Author(s):  
R.J. Barrnett
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membranes ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Cellular Membranes ◽  
Short History ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Macromolecular Assemblies ◽  
The Past

This subject, is like observing the panorama of a mountain range, magnificent towering peaks, but it doesn't take much duration of observation to recognize that they are still in the process of formation. The mountains consist of approaches, materials and methods and the rocky substance of information has accumulated to such a degree that I find myself concentrating on the foothills in the foreground in order to keep up with the advance; the edifices behind form a wonderous, substantive background. It's a short history for such an accumulation and much of it has been moved by the members of the societies that make up this International Federation. My panel of speakers are here to provide what we hope is an interesting scientific fare, based on the fact that there is a continuum of biological organization from biochemical molecules through macromolecular assemblies and cellular membranes to the cell itself. Indeed, this fact explains the whole range of towering peaks that have emerged progressively during the past 25 years.

Effects of Hyperoxia on Lung Utrastructure

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Gladys Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Oxygen Effects ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Space Age ◽  
Alveolar Septa ◽  
Extensive Damage

With the advent of the space age and the need to determine the requirements for a space cabin atmosphere, oxygen effects came into increased importance, even though these effects have been the subject of continuous research for many years. In fact, Priestly initiated oxygen research when in 1775 he published his results of isolating oxygen and described the effects of breathing it on himself and two mice, the only creatures to have had the “privilege” of breathing this “pure air”.Early studies had demonstrated the central nervous system effects at pressures above one atmosphere. Light microscopy revealed extensive damage to the lungs at one atmosphere. These changes which included perivascular and peribronchial edema, focal hemorrhage, rupture of the alveolar septa, and widespread edema, resulted in death of the animal in less than one week. The severity of the symptoms differed between species and was age dependent, with young animals being more resistant.

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