No description available.

A classe Chondrichthyes é representada por animais de esqueleto cartilaginoso e calcificação prismática. Eles são divididos em duas subclasses, Elasmobranchii (tubarões e raias) e Holocephali (quimeras), que têm uma história evolutiva de mais de 400 milhões de anos. Devido à grande adaptabilidade destes animais em diferentes habitats, eles desenvolveram sofisticadas habilidades sensoriais, como os sistemas mecanorreceptor da linha lateral e eletrossensorial. A maior ordem de tubarões, a Carcharhiniformes tem a maioria dos representantes ocorrendo no Brasil. Entre eles, destacamos o tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca), pelágico oceânico, espécie de grande porte e cosmopolita, e um pequeno tubarão pelágico costeiro, o tubarão-frango (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), representantes dessa ordem com grande importância econômica pela sua pesca. Dada a diversidade morfológica e funcional dos sistemas sensoriais, em resposta a variações ecológicas e filogenéticas, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as estruturas morfológicas da linha lateral e das ampolas de Lorenzini, os dentículos dérmicos e os nervos associados à elas, em P. glauca e R. lalandii, utilizando documentação textual e fotográfica de estruturas macroscópicas, e métodos de microscopia, como microscopias de luz, eletrônica e imunofluorescência. Histologicamente, o neuromasto, principal unidade celular da linha lateral mostrou-se semelhante em ambas as espécies, e em P. glauca, esta célula foi encontrada desde o período intra-uterino. Em P. glauca, foi relatado um novo tipo de canal sensorial associado à linha lateral. A ampola de Lorenzini de R. lalandii revelou-se mais organizada do que em P. glauca, devido à quantidade e estruturação dos alvéolos. Os dentículos dérmicos de R. lalandii são mais especializados em várias regiões, particularmente as que envolvem os poros sensoriais. Em relação às características microscópicas dos nervos, eles se assemelham estruturalmente aos dos vertebrados superiores. Para a imunofluorescência, a colocalização foi realizada por tripla marcação dos núcleos dos nervos (DAPI), com receptor de membrana (P2X7), fibras inibidoras (NOS) e células gliais (GFAP), nos nervos da linha lateral e oftálmico superficial. Em ambas as espécies, a distribuição dos nervos foi uniforme. Em suma, as características estudadas em P. glauca são muito semelhantes às encontradas em R. lalandii, no entanto, devido ao hábito da vida oceânica, outras estratégias sensoriais seriam mais relevantes para a sua sobrevivência neste ambiente. As características microscópicas de R. lalandii demonstraram a relação adaptativa com a ecologia da espécie. Seu estilo de vida costeiro demonstrou maior especialização em certos sistemas sensoriais, contribuindo para melhor adaptação em determinados ambientes, uma vez que a morfologia e a organização dos sistemas sensoriais estão diretamente ligadas ao estilo de vida dos indivíduos. / The class of Chondrichthyes is represented by animals with cartilaginous skeleton with prismatic calcification. They are divided into two subclasses, Elasmobranchii (sharks, skates and rays) and Holocephali (chimaeras), which have an evolutionary history of more than 400 million years. Due to their great adaptability in different habitats, they have developed sophisticated sensorial abilities, such as mechanosensory lateral line and electrosensory systems. The largest order of sharks, the Carcharhiniformes has most of the representatives in Brazil. Among them, we highlight the blue shark (Prionace glauca), oceanic pelagic, large and cosmopolitan specie, and a small coastal pelagic shark, the sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), species with economical importance. Given the morphological and functional diversity of sensory systems, in response to ecological and phylogenetic variations, the aims of this study is to describe the morphological structures of the lateral line and ampullae of Lorenzini, the dermal denticles and nerves associated with them, in P. glauca and R. lalandii, using textual and photographic documentation of macroscopic structures, and microscopic methods, such as light and electronic microscopies and immunofluorescence. Histologically, the neuromast, main cell unit of lateral line system was similar in both species, and in P. glauca, this cell was found since the intrauterine period. In P. glauca, a new type of sensorial canal associated with the lateral line was reported. The ampullae of Lorenzini of R. lalandii proved to be more organized than in P. glauca, because of the amount and structure of the alveoli. The dermal denticles in R. lalandii were more specialized in various regions, particularly those involving sensory pores. Regarding the microscopic characteristics of the nerves, they resemble structurally to the superior vertebrates. For immunofluorescence, the colocalization was performed by triple labeling the nuclei (DAPI) of the nerves, with a membrane receptor (P2X7), inhibitory fibers (NOS) and glial cells (GFAP) in lateral line and superficial ophthalmic nerves. In both species, the distribution of nerves was uniform. In short, the characteristics studied in P. glauca are very similar to those found in R. lalandii, however, due to the habit of oceanic life, other sensory strategies are most relevant to their survival in this environment. Microscopic features of R. lalandii demonstrated the adaptive relationship with the ecology of the species. Its coastal way of life showed greater specialization in certain sensory and attachments systems, contributing to better adapt in certain environments, since the morphology and organization of sensory systems are directly linked to the lifestyle of individuals.

Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) possess a sophisticated array of sensory systems that are, undoubtedly, of great importance to their survival. Representing the earliest group of extant jawed vertebrates, detailed study of elasmobranch sensory biology can provide much-needed information on the evolution of vertebrate sensory systems. Some sensory modalities have been studied in detail in several species, but few studies have examined and compared multiple sensory systems within a particular genus. By examining the morphology and physiology of the different sensory systems, correlations can be made within both an ecological and a phylogenetic context. The primary advantage of studying the sensory systems of closely related species is that any differences between them are more likely to reflect functional ecological adaptations rather than the effects of phylogenetic separation. Wobbegongs sharks (Orectolobidae) are a distinctive group of benthic sharks that are characterised by a highly patterned, dorso-ventrally compressed body. Wobbegongs are ambush predators that employ a unique ‘sit and wait’ strategy. Their morphologically distinct body shape, sedentary lifestyle and mode of predation suggest that wobbegong sharks may differ from other elasmobranchs in how they employ their different sensory systems. In this study, four wobbegong species that vary in life-history and/or habitat were examined: the Western wobbegong, Orectolobus hutchinsi, the spotted wobbegong, O. maculatus, the ornate wobbegong, O. ornatus and the dwarf spotted wobbegong, O. parvimaculatus. Vision and olfaction were assessed in all four species. Detailed assessment of electroreception and mechanoreception (lateral line) was conducted only for O. maculatus and O. ornatus. Morphology, physiology and molecular genetics were examined in the visual system, and morphological assessment was conducted for the olfactory, electroreceptive and mechanosensory lateral line systems. The retinae of all four wobbegong species are duplex; rod and cone photoreceptors can be distinguished easily on the basis of morphology. The wavelength of maximum absorbance (λmax) of the rod visual pigment is 496 nm in O. hutchinsi, 484 nm in O. maculatus, 498 nm in O. ornatus and 494 nm in O. parvimaculatus. Absorbance spectra of cone visual pigments were only obtained from O. maculatus and O. ornatus. Only one spectral type of cone was measured in each species, with max values at 553 nm and 560 nm, respectively. Partial sequences were obtained for the rh1 opsin gene in all four species, and for the lws opsin gene in every species except O. parvimaculatus. The apparent presence of only one cone pigment raises the possibility that wobbegongs do not have colour vision. The topographic distribution of cells within the ganglion cell layer of Orectolobus hutchinsi show a weakly elongated central visual streak of increased cell density, mediating a higher spatial resolving power of 2.06 cycles deg-1 in the frontal visual field. Retinal topography of O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus are similar, with both possessing a dorsal horizontal streak facilitating increased spatial resolving power in the lower visual field. Orectolobus parvimaculatus also possesses an area of increased cell density in the naso-ventral region of the retina mediating acute vision in the upper caudal region of the visual field. Spatial resolving power reaches 3.51 cycles deg-1 and 3.91 cycles deg-1 in O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus, respectively. The topographical variation in retinal sampling indicates that different regions of the visual field are relatively more important and may reflect interspecific differences in behaviour and habitat. The mean number of lamellae in the olfactory rosette is 47.0 for Orectolobus hutchinsi, 48.7 for O. maculatus, 40.7 for O. ornatus and 55.7 for O. parvimaculatus. Olfactory sensory epithelial surface area is comparable in O. hutchinsi, O. maculatus and O. ornatus, while O. parvimaculatus has a significantly larger surface area, relative to body size, compared to the other three species. Olfaction appears to be relatively more important in O. parvimaculatus, especially during low light conditions, when vision is limited. The distribution of ampullary electroreceptive pores and mechanosensory lateral line pores (pored and non-pored canals) is almost entirely concentrated on the dorsal region of the head in both O. maculatus and O. ornatus. This suggests that both sensory systems are well-adapted and specialised to detect prey swimming overhead when the wobbegong is sitting motionless, thereby facilitating its unique, predatory, “lie-in-wait’ ambush strategy. Orectolobus hutchinsi and O. ornatus appear to be well-suited to both diurnal and nocturnal activities, whereas O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus are probably most active under low light conditions. Sensory system information inferred from this study correlates well with what is known of the diet and habitat of the four wobbegong species examined. Therefore, in the absence of other biological data, sensory neurobiological approaches can be used to predict such bio-ecological factors as predatory strategy, habitat preference, and behaviour. Electrophysiology and behavioural approaches will provide major advances in future studies in order to understand how each of the different senses is integrated at both peripheral and central levels and how such studies are vital to our understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes.

A central theme of this dissertation is nervous system plasticity. Activity-dependent plasticity and dopaminergic modulation are two processes by which neural circuits adapt their function to developmental and environmental changes. These processes are involved in basic cognitive functions and can contribute to neurological disorder. An important goal in modern neurobiology is understanding how genotypic variation influences plasticity, and leveraging the quantitative genetics resources in model organisms is a valuable component of this endeavor. To this end I investigated activity-dependent plasticity and dopaminergic modulation in Drosophila melanogaster larvae using neurobiological and genetic approaches. Larval mechanosensory behavior is described in Chapter 2. The behavioral experiments in that chapter provide a system to study mechanisms of plasticity and decision-making, while the electrophysiological characterization shows that sensory-motor output depends on neural activity levels of the circuit. This system is used to investigate activity-dependent plasticity in Chapter 3, i.e., habituation to repetitive tactile stimuli. In Chapter 4, those assays are combined with pharmacological manipulations, genetic manipulations, and other experimental paradigms to investigate dopaminergic modulation. Bioinformatics analyses were used in Chapter 5 to characterize natural genetic variation and the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms on dopamine-related gene expression. The impact and suggested future directions based on this work are discussed in Chapter 6. Dopamine also modulates cardiomyocytes. Chapter 7 describes biochemical pathways that mediate dopaminergic modulation of heart rate. The final two chapters describe neurobiology research endeavors that are separate from my work on dopamine. Experiments that have helped characterize a role for Serf, a gene that codes for a small protein with previously unknown function, are described in Chapter 8. In the final chapter I describe optogenetic behavioral and electrophysiology preparations that are being integrated into high school classrooms and undergraduate physiology laboratories. Assessment of student motivation and learning outcomes in response to those experiments is also discussed.

A classe Chondrichthyes é representada por animais de esqueleto cartilaginoso e calcificação prismática. Eles são divididos em duas subclasses, Elasmobranchii (tubarões e raias) e Holocephali (quimeras), que têm uma história evolutiva de mais de 400 milhões de anos. Devido à grande adaptabilidade destes animais em diferentes habitats, eles desenvolveram sofisticadas habilidades sensoriais, como os sistemas mecanorreceptor da linha lateral e eletrossensorial. A maior ordem de tubarões, a Carcharhiniformes tem a maioria dos representantes ocorrendo no Brasil. Entre eles, destacamos o tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca), pelágico oceânico, espécie de grande porte e cosmopolita, e um pequeno tubarão pelágico costeiro, o tubarão-frango (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), representantes dessa ordem com grande importância econômica pela sua pesca. Dada a diversidade morfológica e funcional dos sistemas sensoriais, em resposta a variações ecológicas e filogenéticas, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as estruturas morfológicas da linha lateral e das ampolas de Lorenzini, os dentículos dérmicos e os nervos associados à elas, em P. glauca e R. lalandii, utilizando documentação textual e fotográfica de estruturas macroscópicas, e métodos de microscopia, como microscopias de luz, eletrônica e imunofluorescência. Histologicamente, o neuromasto, principal unidade celular da linha lateral mostrou-se semelhante em ambas as espécies, e em P. glauca, esta célula foi encontrada desde o período intra-uterino. Em P. glauca, foi relatado um novo tipo de canal sensorial associado à linha lateral. A ampola de Lorenzini de R. lalandii revelou-se mais organizada do que em P. glauca, devido à quantidade e estruturação dos alvéolos. Os dentículos dérmicos de R. lalandii são mais especializados em várias regiões, particularmente as que envolvem os poros sensoriais. Em relação às características microscópicas dos nervos, eles se assemelham estruturalmente aos dos vertebrados superiores. Para a imunofluorescência, a colocalização foi realizada por tripla marcação dos núcleos dos nervos (DAPI), com receptor de membrana (P2X7), fibras inibidoras (NOS) e células gliais (GFAP), nos nervos da linha lateral e oftálmico superficial. Em ambas as espécies, a distribuição dos nervos foi uniforme. Em suma, as características estudadas em P. glauca são muito semelhantes às encontradas em R. lalandii, no entanto, devido ao hábito da vida oceânica, outras estratégias sensoriais seriam mais relevantes para a sua sobrevivência neste ambiente. As características microscópicas de R. lalandii demonstraram a relação adaptativa com a ecologia da espécie. Seu estilo de vida costeiro demonstrou maior especialização em certos sistemas sensoriais, contribuindo para melhor adaptação em determinados ambientes, uma vez que a morfologia e a organização dos sistemas sensoriais estão diretamente ligadas ao estilo de vida dos indivíduos. / The class of Chondrichthyes is represented by animals with cartilaginous skeleton with prismatic calcification. They are divided into two subclasses, Elasmobranchii (sharks, skates and rays) and Holocephali (chimaeras), which have an evolutionary history of more than 400 million years. Due to their great adaptability in different habitats, they have developed sophisticated sensorial abilities, such as mechanosensory lateral line and electrosensory systems. The largest order of sharks, the Carcharhiniformes has most of the representatives in Brazil. Among them, we highlight the blue shark (Prionace glauca), oceanic pelagic, large and cosmopolitan specie, and a small coastal pelagic shark, the sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), species with economical importance. Given the morphological and functional diversity of sensory systems, in response to ecological and phylogenetic variations, the aims of this study is to describe the morphological structures of the lateral line and ampullae of Lorenzini, the dermal denticles and nerves associated with them, in P. glauca and R. lalandii, using textual and photographic documentation of macroscopic structures, and microscopic methods, such as light and electronic microscopies and immunofluorescence. Histologically, the neuromast, main cell unit of lateral line system was similar in both species, and in P. glauca, this cell was found since the intrauterine period. In P. glauca, a new type of sensorial canal associated with the lateral line was reported. The ampullae of Lorenzini of R. lalandii proved to be more organized than in P. glauca, because of the amount and structure of the alveoli. The dermal denticles in R. lalandii were more specialized in various regions, particularly those involving sensory pores. Regarding the microscopic characteristics of the nerves, they resemble structurally to the superior vertebrates. For immunofluorescence, the colocalization was performed by triple labeling the nuclei (DAPI) of the nerves, with a membrane receptor (P2X7), inhibitory fibers (NOS) and glial cells (GFAP) in lateral line and superficial ophthalmic nerves. In both species, the distribution of nerves was uniform. In short, the characteristics studied in P. glauca are very similar to those found in R. lalandii, however, due to the habit of oceanic life, other sensory strategies are most relevant to their survival in this environment. Microscopic features of R. lalandii demonstrated the adaptive relationship with the ecology of the species. Its coastal way of life showed greater specialization in certain sensory and attachments systems, contributing to better adapt in certain environments, since the morphology and organization of sensory systems are directly linked to the lifestyle of individuals.

In some animal societies, access to breeding depends on the individual’s position in a hierarchy, which often depends on an individual’s size. In such societies, individuals may engage in competitive growth, trying to outgrow one another to attain a higher rank. This suggests that members of the hierarchy can track changes in the growth and size of potential competitors and respond accordingly. The clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, is one species known to exhibit competitive growth at the initiation of size hierarchies. Here, we use 5 combinations of sensory cues to determine which cues must be available to initiate competitive growth between size-matched individuals. Our results show that mechanosensory (pressure and/or touch) cues are used to assess size and initiate competitive growth. This study provides an understanding into the relationship between environment and phenotypic response in a social context.

No description available.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) mediate effects of acetylcholine (ACh) in many systems, including those involved in locomotion. In the stage 37/38 Xenopus laevis tadpole, a well-understood model system of vertebrate locomotion, mAChRs have been found to be located on motor neurons with evidence suggesting that mAChRs are involved in swimming behaviour. The current study aimed to further investigate the role of mAChR-mediated cholinergic transmission by employing extracellular and whole-cell patch clamp recordings to examine the effects of mAChR activation on the properties of different types of neurons in the Xenopus laevis tadpole swimming circuit. It was found that mAChR activation can increase the threshold for initiating swimming by skin stimulation and can lead to the generation of spontaneous motor output in the absence of physical stimuli. These effects were found to be a result of direct inhibition of dorsolateral sensory interneurons of the mechanosensory pathway, direct inhibition of glycinergic inhibitory interneurons in the CPG and a decrease in CPG neuron firing reliability during swimming. The data presented here comprise the first whole-cell patch-clamp investigation into mAChR-mediated cholinergic transmission in the Xenopus laevis tadpole swimming circuit and provide novel evidence that mAChRs modulate the properties of mechanosensory pathway and CPG neurons in this model system of vertebrate locomotion.

[ES] El acceso a una atención sanitaria de alta calidad es un marcador importante del desarrollo de las sociedades humanas. Los aportes tecnológicos a la medicina han mostrado un potencial relevante para descubrir procedimientos efectivos a nivel preventivo, diagnóstico y terapéutico. En particular, los métodos computacionales permiten el procesamiento eficaz de datos médicos y, por tanto, pueden modelar sistemas biológicos complejos. Esto ha influido en el desarrollo de la Medicina Personalizada (MP) durante las últimas décadas, donde la obtención de conocimiento específico de cada caso permite realizar intervenciones a medida, todo ello a un coste de recursos accesible. La simulación de remodelación ósea es un campo prometedor en el contexto de la MP. Predecir un proceso de adaptación ósea en un caso concreto puede dar lugar a numerosas aplicaciones en el campo de las enfermedades óseas, tanto a nivel clínico como experimental. Mediante la combinación del Método de Elementos Finitos (FEM) y los algoritmos de remodelación ósea, es posible obtener modelos numéricos de un hueso específico a partir de datos médicos (por ejemplo, una tomografía computarizada). Todo ello puede dar lugar a una revolución en la medicina personalizada. / [CA] L'accés a una atenció sanitària d'alta qualitat és un marcador important del desenvolupament de les societats humanes. Les aportacions tecnològiques a la medicina han mostrat un potencial rellevant per a descobrir procediments efectius a nivell preventiu, diagnòstic i terapèutic. En particular, els mètodes computacionals permeten el processament eficaç de dades mèdiques i, per tant, poden modelar sistemes biològics complexos. Això ha influït en el desenvolupament de la Medicina Personalitzada (MP) durant les últimes dècades, on l'obtenció de coneixement específic de cada cas permet realitzar intervencions a mesura, tot això a un cost de recursos accessible. La simulació de remodelació òssia és un camp prometedor en el context de la MP. Predir un procés d'adaptació òssia en un cas concret pot donar lloc a nombroses aplicacions en el camp de les malalties òssies, tant a nivell clínic com experimental. Mitjançant la combinació del Mètode d'Elements Finits (*FEM) i els algorismes de remodelació òssia, és possible obtindre models numèrics d'un os específic a partir de dades mèdiques (per exemple, una tomografia computada). Tot això pot donar lloc a una revolució en la medicina personalitzada. / [EN] Access to high-quality healthcare is an important marker of the development of human societies. Technological contributions to medicine have shown relevant potential to discover effective procedures at a preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic level. In particular, computational methods enable efficient processing of medical data and can therefore model complex biological systems. This has influenced the development of Personalized Medicine (PM) over recent decades, where obtaining specific knowledge of each case allows for tailored interventions, all at an affordable resource cost. Simulation of bone remodeling is a promising field in the context of PM. Predicting a bone adaptation process in a specific case can lead to numerous applications in the field of bone diseases, both clinically and experimentally. By combining the Finite Element Method (FEM) and bone remodeling algorithms, it is possible to obtain numerical models of a specific bone from medical data (for example, a CT scan). All of this can lead to a revolution in personalized medicine. / Thanks to the Valencian funding programme FDGENT/2018, for providing economic resources to develop this long-term work. / Gutiérrez Gil, J. (2023). Personalization of Bone Remodelling Simulation Models for Clinical Applications [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/202059