scholarly journals Neural interactions controlling timing of flight muscle activity in Drosophila

1980 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Koenig ◽  
K. Ikeda

Simultaneous intracellular recordings were made from the six ipsilateral dorsal longitudinal muscle fibres of Drosophila in stationary flight. The influence of the firing of one motor unit upon the firing of another was analysed by observing the relationship between the interspike interval of a unit and the relative firing times of the other motor units within that interval. The analysis suggests that the influence is insignificant except when one unit would have fired soon after another. Then, a neural interaction occurs that can cause a unit to fire either earlier or later, depending on its firing relationship with the other units. Thus, the observation that no DLM fibre fires soon after another is the result of both a delaying effect and an effect which causes a cell to fire earlier than it normally would have fired.

1980 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Koenig ◽  
K. Ikeda

Simultaneous intracellular recordings were made from the 10 motor units (12 fibres) comprising the bilateral pair of dorsal longitudinal flight muscles in Drosophila melanogaster while in stationary flight. The neural input which commonly drives these units was characterized by observing the influence which this input has on the interspike intervals of the various units. It was observed that the intervals of these units (both ipsilateral and contralateral), when considered collectively (that is, as a series of successively occurring intervals without regard for which unit represents which interval), fluctuate in a serially correlated manner. These interval fluctuations collectively define a fluctuation of complex waveform. The characteristics of this waveform suggest that two (or more) oscillating inputs are involved in commonly driving these units. In addition, a coupling in frequency and timing was observed between certain pairs of ipsilateral units, as well as between the units of one side relative to those of the other side. This coupling suggests that the neural pathway leading from the oscillating driving source might diverge, first to left and right sides, and then at a more peripheral level into three separate pathways, one leading to units 1 and 2, another to units 3 and 4, and a third to unit 5/6.


It was shown in an earlier paper (7) that if maximal stimulation of either of two different afferent nerves can reflexly excite fractions of a given flexor muscle, there are generally, within the aggregate of neurones which innervate that muscle, motoneurones which can be caused to discharge by either afferent (i. e., motoneurones common to both fractions). The relationship which two such afferents bear to a common motoneurone was shown, by the isometric method of recording contraction, to be such that the activation of one afferent, at a speed sufficient to cause a maximal motor tetanus when trans­mitted to the muscle fibres, caused exclusion of any added mechanical effect when the other afferent was excited concurrently. This default in mechanical effect was called “occlusion.” Occlusion may conceivably be due to total exclusion of the effect of one afferent pathway on the common motoneurone by the activity of the other; but facilitation of the effect of one path by the activation of the other when the stimuli were minimal suggests that, in some circumstances at least, the effect of each could augment and summate with th at of the other at the place of convergence of two afferent pathways. Further investigation, using the action currents of the muscle as indication of the nerve impulses discharged by the motoneurone units, has now given some information regarding the effect of impulses arriving at the locus of convergence by one afferent path when the unit common to both is already discharging in response to impulses arriving by the other afferent path. Our method has been to excite both afferent nerves in overlapping sequence by series of break shocks at a rapid rate and to examine the action currents of the resulting reflex for evidence of the appearance of the rhythm of the second series in the discharge caused by the first when the two series are both reaching the motoneurone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185
Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdousi ◽  
Shanjida Sultana ◽  
Tangin Akter ◽  
Pinakshi Roy ◽  
Shefali Begum

The flight activity and flight muscle of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) were observed. The Tethered technique was used to observe the flight activity in this study. The flight activity, and wing and flight muscles were compared between male and female melon flies. The results indicate that the female was relatively better and strong flier than the male. The mean duration of the flight activity of the females was 13.90 min/hour and of the males was 7.12 min./hour. The mean length, width, volume of wings of the males were 6.07 mm, 2.67 mm and 10.99 mm³, respectively. On the other hand, the mean length, width and volume of the wings of females were 7.07 mm, 2.87 mm and 15.60 mm³, respectively. In case of wing muscles, the mean volume of dorsal longitudinal muscle (DLM) in male and female was found 5.20 mm³ and 5.67 mm³, respectively. The mean length of flight wing muscle of male and female was 2.22 and 2.23 mm, respectively and the mean breadth of male and female was 1.65 and 1.77 mm, respectively. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(2): 179-185, 2021 (July)


1957 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Hanson

1. The structure of the smooth muscle fibres in the longitudinal muscle coat of the body wall of Lumbricus terrestris has been investigated by phase contrast light microscopy and electron microscopy. 2. The muscle fibre is ribbon-shaped, and attached to each of its two surfaces is a set of myofibrils. These are also ribbon-shaped, and they lie with their surfaces perpendicular to the surfaces of the fibre, and their inner edges nearly meeting in the middle of the fibre. These fibrils are oriented at an angle to the fibre axis, and diminish greatly in width as they approach the edge of the fibre. The orientation of the set of fibrils belonging to one surface of the fibre is the mirror image of that of the set belonging to the other surface; thus, when both sets are in view in a fibre lying flat on one face, the fibre exhibits double oblique striation. A comparison of extended and contracted fibres indicates that as the fibre contracts, the angle made between fibre and fibril axes increases (e.g. from 5 to 30°) and so does the angle made between the two sets of fibrils (e.g. from 10 to 60°). 3. The myofibril, throughout its length, contains irregularly packed filaments, commonly 250 A in diameter, which are parallel to its long axis and remain straight in contracted muscles. Between them is material which probably consists of much finer filaments. Thus A and I bands are absent. 4. Bound to one face of each fibril, but not penetrating inside it, is a regularly spaced series of transverse stripes. They are of two kinds, alternating along the length of the fibril, and it is suggested that they are comparable to the Z and M lines of a cross-striated fibril. The spacing of these stripes is about 0.5 µ ("Z" to "Z") in extended muscles, and 0.25 µ in contracted muscles. A bridge extends from each stripe across to the stripeless surface of the next fibril.


Parasitology ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn B. Beckett ◽  
W. W. Macdonald

1. The distribution of filarial larvae in the dorsoventral and dorsal-longitudinal muscle fibre groups was studied in serial sections of mosquitoes of a susceptible strain of Aedes aegypti infected with Brugia pahangi or subperiodic B. malayi and of wild-caught Mansonia uniformis mosquitoes containing the latter parasite.2. The experiments showed that more larvae were situated in the dorsal-longitudinal muscle than in the dorsoventral and that the difference in numbers was highly significant.


1970 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-216
Author(s):  
H. D. JONES ◽  
E. R. TRUEMAN

1. The locomotion of Patella has been studied by histological, photographic and experimental techniques. The foot consists principally of dorso-ventral and transverse muscles and has no longitudinal muscle fibres near to its sole. The pedal haemocoel is limited to a region of small spherical cavities, extending for 0.5 mm. above the sole, two pedal sinuses and several lateral vertical channels. 2. Patella moves forward by means of retrograde alternate ditaxic pedal locomotory waves, but during rarely observed backward movement the waves are direct. During tight turns the limpet uses forward locomotion on one half of the foot and backward locomotion on the other. 3. During the passage of a retrograde locomotory wave the foot is lifted off the substrate by about 0.2 mm. and the pressure beneath the sole falls by about 6 cm. of water. 4. A model is proposed to account for locomotion utilizing the dorso-ventral muscles as the sole propulsive agents in the hydraulic system of the foot. This system consists principally of the dorso-ventral and transverse muscles, the spherical cavities of the pedal haemocoel and the fluid enclosed beneath each locomotory wave. Both fluid systems may be utilized during contraction and relaxation of different groups of dorso-ventral muscles.


Author(s):  
Erik Stålberg

Electromyography (EMG) has been used since the 1940s in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders. It has particularly developed with the advent of computers and recording equipment with integrated software. This has made methods of analysis fast, robust, and precise, helping to deal with increasing numbers of patients. Indications have changed dynamically over the years, with the development of new EMG methods themselves and complementary methods used in this field for diagnosis such as histochemistry, genetics, and imaging techniques. This chapter focuses mainly on the routine methods based on recordings with concentric or monopolar needle electrodes, but will also briefly review some of the other EMG methods. There is an increasing understanding of the relationship between the generators (muscle fibres) and the recorded signal that helps interpretation of the recordings. The parameters used for quantitation of the EMG signal are discussed. The findings in pathological conditions are discussed and some practical hints on EMG studies given.


Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 246-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen E. Ely ◽  
William R. Nugent ◽  
Julie Cerel ◽  
Mholi Vimbba

Background: The relationship between suicidal thinking and adolescent dating violence has not been previously explored in a sample of adolescent abortion patients. Aims: This paper highlights a study where the relationship between dating violence and severity of suicidal thinking was examined in a sample of 120 young women ages 14–21 seeking to terminate an unintended pregnancy. Methods: The Multidimensional Adolescent Assessment Scale and the Conflict in Adolescent Relationships Scale was used to gather information about psychosocial problems and dating violence so that the relationship between the two problems could be examined, while controlling for the other psychosocial problems. Results: The results suggest that dating violence was related to severity of suicidal thinking, and that the magnitude of this relationship was moderated by the severity of problems with aggression. Conclusions: Specifically, as the severity of participant’s general problems with aggression increased, the magnitude of the relationship between dating violence and severity of suicidal thinking increased. Limitations of the study and implications for practice are discussed.


Author(s):  
Melanie K. T. Takarangi ◽  
Deryn Strange

When people are told that their negative memories are worse than other people’s, do they later remember those events differently? We asked participants to recall a recent negative memory then, 24 h later, we gave some participants feedback about the emotional impact of their event – stating it was more or less negative compared to other people’s experiences. One week later, participants recalled the event again. We predicted that if feedback affected how participants remembered their negative experiences, their ratings of the memory’s characteristics should change over time. That is, when participants are told that their negative event is extremely negative, their memories should be more vivid, recollected strongly, and remembered from a personal perspective, compared to participants in the other conditions. Our results provide support for this hypothesis. We suggest that external feedback might be a potential mechanism in the relationship between negative memories and psychological well-being.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (01) ◽  
pp. 058-064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goya Wannamethee ◽  
A Gerald Shaper

SummaryThe relationship between haematocrit and cardiovascular risk factors, particularly blood pressure and blood lipids, has been examined in detail in a large prospective study of 7735 middle-aged men drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. The analyses are restricted to the 5494 men free of any evidence of ischaemic heart disease at screening.Smoking, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake and lung function (FEV1) were factors strongly associated with haematocrit levels independent of each other. Age showed a significant but small independent association with haematocrit. Non-manual workers had slightly higher haematocrit levels than manual workers; this difference increased considerably and became significant after adjustment for the other risk factors. Diabetics showed significantly lower levels of haematocrit than non-diabetics. In the univariate analysis, haematocrit was significantly associated with total serum protein (r = 0*18), cholesterol (r = 0.16), triglyceride (r = 0.15), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.17) and heart rate (r = 0.14); all at p <0.0001. A weaker but significant association was seen with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.09, p <0.001). These relationships remained significant even after adjustment for age, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, lung function, presence of diabetes, social class and for each of the other biological variables; the relationship with systolic blood pressure was considerably weakened. No association was seen with blood glucose and HDL-cholesterol. This study has shown significant associations between several lifestyle characteristics and the haematocrit and supports the findings of a significant relationship between the haematocrit and blood lipids and blood pressure. It emphasises the role of the haematocrit in assessing the risk of ischaemic heart disease and stroke in individuals, and the need to take haematocrit levels into account in determining the importance of other cardiovascular risk factors.


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