In this study, the single-cell relative quantitative mRNA expression of three Calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs; calbindin, calretinin, parvalbumin) and eight nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits (alpha2-alpha5, alpha7, beta2-beta4) from interneurons from the stratum radiatum or stratum oriens within the CA1 region of rat hippocampi was analyzed using quantitative real time RT-PCR. Eighty-seven percent of the interneurons examined expressed CaBP mRNA. Parvalbumin mRNA was detected in 64%, while calbindin and calretinin expression was detected in 26% and 40% of interneurons, respectively. CaBP expression was not exclusive; the average number of CaBP mRNA detected per interneuron of the 47 interneurons examined for CaBP was 1.3. There was no significant difference between the proportion of CaBPs expressed in the stratum radiatum compared to the stratum oriens. However, interneurons from the stratum radiatum expressed significantly higher relative levels of mRNA for calbindin. Eighty-four percent of the 31 interneurons examined for both CaBP and nAChR subunits expressed nAChR subunit mRNA; the average number of nAChR subunits detected per interneuron was 2.9. Furthermore, of the 24, 140, and 168 possible combinations of 2-, 3-, and 4-way co-expression between CaBP+nAChR mRNA, respectively, only two significant 3-way combinations were detected: parvalbumin+a3+a5 and parvalbumin+alpha5+beta4. This study reports that subpopulations of nAChR-containing interneurons defined by quantitative CaBP mRNA expression or CaBP+nAChR co-expression do exist within the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Whole hippocampus preparations, isolated bilaterally, from untreated Wistar rats at various ages (10-90 days old) were analyzed for the mRNA expression of the alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 7, beta 2, beta 3, and beta 4 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits. To do so, RNA was isolated from acutely isolated hippocampal samples, converted to cDNA by means of a reverse transcription reaction, then analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR to determine the relative levels of the mRNAs the cells were expressing at the age when the samples were obtained. The relative expression of the levels of RNA were then compared across age groups by subunits and across subunits by ages. The results suggest that all eight subunits are expressed throughout the life of the rat and that the subunit expression for the Hippocampus varies only slightly as a rat develops.

The author was desirous of investigating the properties of "quinolineins" as compared with those of corresponding phthaleins. As there was no quinolinic acid available in the laboratory, an attempt was made to prepare it. It was found that most methods gave very small yields, with the exception of one. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

No description available.

No description available.

Bladder incontinence in patients who suffer from sacral spinal cord injury can wreak havoc on one's quality of life. A 2012 survey suggests that patients who sustain spinal cord injury prioritize the recovery of bladder function over other faculties. With about 12,000 new spinal cord injury cases reported in the United States each year, finding ways to combat the disabilities that result from lower spinal cord dysfunction should be of utmost importance to the scientific research community. Prior to studying the effects of surgical reinnervation on the bladder after long-term decentralization, it was critical to understand the effects that decentralization had on the integrity of both smooth muscle and intramural nerves of the bladder, the function of which could determine the success of surgical reinnervation. Chapter 2 describes in vivo stimulation, ex vivo smooth muscle contractility studies, and immunohistochemical techniques that were used to assess the condition of the functional components of the bladder. Collective results showed that although pelvic plexus-induced stimulation decreased when decentralization included the bilateral transection of the L7 dorsal root, smooth muscle cells and intramural nerves maintained their function after long-term bladder decentralization. Thus, preservation of at least some nerve activity may allow for successful surgical reinnervation after long-term injury. Following confirmation of smooth muscle and intramural nerve viability after decentralization, we sought to determine if nerve transfer after long-term decentralization restores bladder function in canines. In Chapter 3, we detail both decentralization and surgical reinnervation procedures used in our model. Briefly, decentralization of the bladder included bilateral transection of hypogastric nerves, as well as all spinal roots caudal to L7, with a subset of animals undergoing additional transection of the dorsal root of L7. One year after decentralization, animals that showed consistent loss of sensory and motor function underwent surgical reinnervation, which included the bilateral transfer of part of the obturator nerve to the anterior vesical branch of the pelvic nerve and the semimembranosus branch of the sciatic nerve to the pudendal nerve. Behavioral observations, in vivo stimulation of transferred nerves, and retrograde tracing studies were used to explore the efficacy of reinnervation on both sensory and motor components of bladder function. Ultimately, results showed that the new neuronal pathways created by nerve transfer can restore bladder sensation and possibly motor function in lower motor neuron-lesioned canines. Beyond the effects of surgical reinnervation on bladder function, we were interested in taking a closer look at the mechanisms that dictate function after decentralization and reinnervation (Chapter 3). Based on our previous work that found that transfer of somatic nerves resulted in bladder smooth muscle expression of a nicotinic receptor subunit thought to be expressed primarily in striated muscles, we were interested in assessing changes in the profile of nicotinic receptors responsible for bladder function. Ex vivo smooth muscle contractility studies showed that response to nicotinic receptor agonists were not altered after decentralization or reinnervation. Furthermore, the α1 nicotinic receptor subunit was expressed in bladder smooth muscle across all surgical groups. Future studies are necessary to better elicit the physiological relevance of these nicotinic receptors in the bladder. Additionally, due to the complexity of surgical reinnervation, it was important to understand all contributions to bladder innervation (Chapter 4). We previously identified that cells in the ventral horns of spinal cord levels rostral to the sacral cord can directly innervate the bladder via retrograde tracing. Because these direct inputs were not in proximity of the spinal root transections made during decentralization, we wanted to know how decentralization and reinnervation impacted their effects on the bladder when stimulated. L2-mediated detrusor contractions were significantly decreased by transection of the hypogastric nerves, suggesting that many of the nerves originating from the L2 cord are sympathetic in nature; however, treatment with phentolamine did not completely eliminate the increase in pressure in response to L2 stimulation. Therefore, the remaining inputs likely act upon the bladder through a yet undefined pathway. The quantity of positively labelled cells did not change in sections of the L2 ventral horn across all surgical groups, suggesting no change in the contribution of direct inputs to bladder innervation. Finally, anatomical feasibility of the obturator and semimembranosus branch of the sciatic nerve transfers has been assessed in an unembalmed cadaver, the results of which have not yet been published. Overall, this research gives us reason to believe that surgical reinnervation is a viable option for patients who develop lower neurogenic bladder after injury to the sacral cord, cauda equina, or peripheral nerves mediating bladder function. / Biomedical Sciences

This thesis describes a series of naphthoquinone reactions employing pyridine carboxylic acid derivatives (nicotinic acid derivatives). The products of these reactions will be tested by Parke, Davis and Company for their activity against the tubercle bacillus and other pathogenic microorganisms.

The purpose of this study is to determine the nicotinic acid values of the food consumed and the urinary and fecal excretions of young college women on self-selected diets.

In situ hybridization was used to examine effects of monocular enucleation on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit cc3 mRNA in the rat dLGNand visual cortex. After 28 days postoperative, there were no significant differences in α3 mRNA density between the contralateral (deprived) and ipsilateral (non-deprived) sides. The lack of obvious effects of visual deprivation on α3 mRNA density suggests that other factors, possibly intrinsic to dLGNand visual cortex, govern the postnatal expression of α3 mRNA.

Neonatal quinpirole (NQ) treatment to rats increases dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity persistent throughout the animal’s lifetime. In Experiment 1, we analyzed the role of α7 and α4β2 nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in nicotine behavioral sensitization and on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) response to nicotine in NQ- and neonatally saline (NS)-treated rats. In Experiment 2, we analyzed changes in α7 and α4β2 nAChR density in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and dorsal striatum in NQ and NS animals sensitized to nicotine. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were neonatally treated with quinpirole (1mg/kg) or saline from postnatal days (P)1-21. Animals were given ip injections of either saline or nicotine (0.5mg/kg free base) every second day from P33 to P49 and tested on behavioral sensitization. Before each injection, animals were ip administered the α7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA; 2 or 4mg/kg) or the α4β2 nAChR antagonist dihydro beta erythroidine (DhβE; 1 or 3mg/kg). Results revealed NQ enhanced nicotine sensitization that was blocked by DhβE. MLA blocked the enhanced nicotine sensitization in NQ animals, but did not block nicotine sensitization. NQ enhanced the NAcc BDNF response to nicotine which was blocked by both antagonists. In Experiment 2, NQ enhanced nicotine sensitization and enhanced α4β2, but not α7, nAChR upregulation in the NAcc. These results suggest a relationship between accumbal BDNF and α4β2 nAChRs and their role in the behavioral response to nicotine in the NQ model which has relevance to schizophrenia, a behavioral disorder with high rates of tobacco smoking.