Estrogen treatment increases preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA levels in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH). Roy et al. (Brain Res., 337 (1985) 163-166) discovered that anesthesia during estrogen priming could reduce female rat sexual receptivity. In the present study we tested whether the action of estrogen to induce PPE gene expression in the VMH could be similarly affected by anesthesia. By quantitative in situ hybridization and slot-blot analysis techniques we found a 1.8-fold increase in PPE mRNA levels in the VMH after 1 hour of estrogen treatment in ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley female rats. Anesthetizing the rats with pentobarbital for 1 h during the exposure to estrogen blocked the estrogen induction of PPE mRNA in the VMH. By way of contrast no changes in the PPE mRNA levels were observed in the caudate putamen. A similar trend was seen using chloral hydrate. It appears that neuronal activity is required for the early phase of estrogen induction of PPE mRNA levels in the VMH. This in turn could be correlated with changes in female sociosexual behaviors.

Intracerebral diffusion, cellular uptake and intracellular localization of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) after their microinjection in mouse brains were examined. Using either tetramethylrhodamine-5-(and -6)-isothiocyanate (TRITC)- or gamma-33P ATP-labeled ODNs, it was found that both phosphodiester ODNs (D-ODN) and phosphorothioate ODNs (S-ODN) quickly diffused (up to about 500 microns) and were taken up by many cells around the injection site as early as 15 min after administration. Fluorescence labeling intensity and silver grain accumulation of D-ODNs were greatly reduced by 4 h after injection, whereas those of S-ODNs were stable beyond at least 8 h after injection. Most of labeled ODNs were found in neuronal cells as identified by immunocytochemistry for neurofilament, NF 200, and to a much lesser extent in astrocytic cells as identified by immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein.

Injection of morphine (10 mg/kg) induced a complex immediate-early gene response in the rat forebrain, as detected with immunocytochemistry. The c-Fos protein was induced consistently in the dorsomedial caudate-putamen, the nucleus accumbens, and in midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. In some rats induction was also seen in the parietal and insular cortex and in lateral regions of the caudate-putamen. Induction was detectable, although weak, at 30 min, was maximal at 2 h, and was undetectable 3 h after injection. JunB was induced in the same regions of the caudate-putamen as found for c-Fos, but was not induced in the nucleus accumbens or thalamus. In the caudate-putamen, JunB induction was still present 3 h after injection. A considerably smaller induction of c-Jun was noted in the dorsomedial caudate-putamen and in deep neocortex. Expression of JunD was inhibited in intralaminar and midline thalamic nuclei. Increases in numbers of cells immunoreactive for a Jun-related antigen (Jra) were found in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. These results indicate a complex immediate-early gene response to acute morphine, suggesting that morphine activates or inhibits specific neurons and circuits in the forebrain.

Many neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can act through the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) or midbrain central gray (MCG) to facilitate lordosis. Since these lordosis-facilitating agents can also stimulate the phosphoinositide (PI) second-messenger pathway, it was hypothesized that direct activation of this pathway can also potentiate the behavior. To evaluate this possibility, a phorbol ester, TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate), was used to activate a key enzyme, protein kinase C (PKC), of the PI pathway in ovariectomized (OVX) rats either primed or not primed with estrogen. These female rats were paired with males for mating tests before and after an intracerebral infusion of TPA, and both the lordosis quotient (LQ) and the lordosis strength (LS) were measured. Bilateral infusion of TPA (5 μg/0.5 μl or 0.2 μg/0.2 μl, but not 0.1 μg/0.2 μl/side) into the VMN or MCG of estrogen-primed subjects facilitated both LQ and LS in 30 min, peaked at 60–90 min, and the facilitation lasted for more than 180 min. This facilitatory effect of TPA was: (1) not observed in OVX rats not primed with estrogen; (2) not observed if the infused TPA did not reach both sides of the VMN or MCG; (3) not mimicked by 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which does not activate PKC; (4) blocked by PKC inhibitors (H7 10 mM or staurosporine 1 μM, 0.2 μl/ side), which by themeselves did not facilitate lordosis; and (5) was not affected by pretreatment of the progestin antagonist RU486. These observations indicate that TPA facilitates lordosis in a dose-dependent fashion by activating, and not by depleting, PKC in the VMN or MCG, and that the TPA effect requires estrogen priming but not the activation of progestin receptors. Thus, the PI pathway or the activation of PKC may be a common mediator for lordosis facilitation in these two brain regions; and the requirement of estrogen priming further raises the possibility that this second-messenger system or its substrates in the VMN and MCG are modulated by estrogen.

The ability to effectively modify gene expression in the brain by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting the mRNAs of specific genes will greatly increase the repertoire of molecular techniques available to investigate the neural basis of behavior. We present here information concerning the characteristics of antisense oligos, methods of delivery to the brain, and parameters to be considered in designing behavioral experiments that exploit antisense technology. The Issues of nonspecific effects and appropriate use of controls are discussed. Finally, theoretical advantages of antisense methodology over existing approaches for manipulating gene activity are summarized.

Journal Article Swormlure: Development and Use in Detection and Suppression Systems for Adult Screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Get access J. Wendell Snow, J. Wendell Snow Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar James R. Coppedge, James R. Coppedge Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Alberto B. Broce, Alberto B. Broce Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar John L. Goodenough, John L. Goodenough Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Harold E. Brown Harold E. Brown Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Bulletin of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 28, Issue 3, 15 September 1982, Pages 277–285, https://doi.org/10.1093/besa/28.3.277 Published: 15 September 1982

ABSTRACT A system was developed for transporting, metering, and distributing a pelletized formulation of the Screwworm Adult Suppression System (a combination of bait and toxicant) from aircraft as a suppressant of a na-tive population of screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel). Two trials of 3 applications each at rates of 0.18 kg/km2 of pellets weighing about 3 g each were made across a 500 km2 area in the Davis mountains of western Texas (Jeff Davis County) during September and October, 1978. Results indicate reductions of 77 percent and 91 percent in the native female screwworm captures in the treated area as compared to a control area.

Journal Article A New Dye Marking Technique for the Screwworm Get access J. R. Coppedge, J. R. Coppedge Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. P. Spencer, J. P. Spencer Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar H. E. Brown, H. E. Brown Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar C. J. Whitten, C. J. Whitten Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. W. Snow, J. W. Snow Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. E. Wright J. E. Wright Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 72, Issue 1, 1 February 1979, Pages 40–42, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/72.1.40 Published: 01 February 1979 Article history Received: 17 August 1978 Published: 01 February 1979

A case of multiple foreign bodies in the urethra of an elderly man is presented. A brief outline of management is discussed.

The correlation of blood groups in adenocarcinoma of the kidney is attempted in 125 cases. It appears that there is an inherited element in the susceptibility or protection against the hypernephroma according to blood groups.

Leiomyoma of the prostate appears in one of two pathologic forms: multiple discrete nodules scattered throughout benign prostatic tissue, or a solid mass. A case report of each type is presented, with a review of the literature.

Neonatal ascites is reviewed, and a case due to posterior urethral valves is presented. Treatment was, for the most part, conservative in contrast to aggressive surgical intervention which is taught and advocated. The result was satisfactory.