The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is critically involved in many higher cognitive functions such as goaldirected behaviour, affective behaviour and especially working memory. In vivo extracellular recordings of PFC neural activity during working memory tasks show high variety in observed spiking patterns. These complex dynamics are critically shaped by intrinsic, synaptic and structural parameters of respective prefrontal networks. Moreover, dopamine (DA) is crucial for correct functioning of the PFC during working memory tasks. DA modulates a number of synaptic and intrinsic biophysical properties of single neurons, in particular deep layer pyramidal cells, which represent the major output neurons of the PFC. Despite a high variability of cortical pyramidal cell firing patterns, and somatodendritic morphology, no study has yet systematically examined correlations between intrinsic properties, morphological features and dopaminergic modulation of intrinsic properties. This study investigated properties of deep layer pyramidal cells through whole cell patch clamp in acute brain slices of the adult rat PFC. Cells were characterised physiologically through a variety of stimulation protocols surveying different time scales and wide intensity ranges, while all fast synaptic transmission was blocked. Furthermore the same catalogue of stimuli was recorded whilst applying specific DA receptor agonists to elucidate effects of DA receptor activation on intrinsic properties. All recorded cells were injected with biocytin and dendritic morphology was reconstructed from confocal image stacks of fluorescently labelled neurons. From the resulting data a set of characteristic variables were defined and a combination of principal components analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify similarity between recorded cells in different parameter spaces spanned by intrinsic properties, intrinsic properties under dopaminergic modulation and morphology, respectively. The analysis presents evidence for distinct subpopulations within prefrontal deep layer pyramidal cells, as seen by clustering of recorded cells in these high dimensional parameter spaces. These subpopulations also show distinct input-output relationships, bearing implications for computational functions of these subpopulations. Furthermore, this study presents for the first time evidence of subpopulation specific DA effects in deep layer pyramidal cells. The quantitative analysis of somatodendritic morphology confirms physiological subpopulations and identifies characteristic morphological features of deep layer pyramidal cells. Moreover, cluster observed in different parameter spaces overlap, leading to a definition of subpopulations that concurs with previously described prefrontal pyramidal cell types. In conclusion, the results presented provide some deeper insight into fundamental principles of information processing in prefrontal pyramidal cells under the influence of dopamine.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The goal of this project was to evaluate the use of a preparation of the brainstem and spinal cord of neonatal rats that has been widely used for observing and quantifying central nervous activity, as well as the response to pharmacological manipulation. To achieve this, we specifically aimed to remove the intact brainstem and spinal cord of newborn rats, and develop a preparation that would maintain physiological function and allow for recording of electrical activity. Methods: Multiple dissections were performed on neonatal rats. Conditions during the dissections were controlled to maintain physiological function. Once removed, the intact brainstem and spinal cord was placed in a preparation that allowed for manipulation and access to nerve rootlets. Finally, glass suction electrodes were used to record electrical activity directly from the nerve rootlets. Once recorded, the data were stored on a hard drive for further analysis. Main Results: We were successful in isolating the intact brainstem and spinal cord in neonatal rats while maintaining physiological conditions and nervous activity. The preparation allowed for easy access to nerve roots as well as customization for different experiments. We were also successful in recording nerve activity in the preparation and collection of data for use in future experiments Conclusions: We conclude that the brainstem spinal cord preparation described in this study is a valuable tool that allows for recording and analysis of nerve activity, and specifically for measurement of respiratory motor output. This is a preparation that can be used in a variety of experiments that attempt to observe or quantify the activity of central nerve cells and allows for pharmacological interventions that could be applied in various experiments.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

La vitesse des ondes de cisaillement est généralement mesurée en laboratoire en utilisant des éléments piézoélectriques comme les bender elements (BE). Cependant, ces techniques présentent certains problèmes au niveau de l’émission à la fois des ondes primaires et de cisaillement, les effets de champ proche, les effets de bords, et l’incertitude au niveau de l’interprétation du signal. Une nouvelle technique, baptisée technique des anneaux piézoélectriques (P-RAT) a été développée dans le laboratoire géotechnique de l'Université de Sherbrooke afin de minimiser / éliminer les difficultés associées aux autres techniques, en particulier, la pénétration des échantillons, obligatoire pour la technique BE. Cette étude présente une description de la technique P-RAT ainsi que les résultats des simulations numériques réalisées avec le code informatique COMSOL afin d'étudier l'interaction entre les composantes du P-RAT et l'échantillon testé (sol ou solide). L’étude démontre l’efficacité du concept de la méthode P-RAT et présente des modifications pour améliorer la fiabilité et la performance de la méthode P-RAT afin d’étendre son applicabilité dans le domaine du génie civil. L’implémentation de la dernière génération de P-RAT dans une cellule triaxiale et une autre œdométrique était l’aboutissement de cette étude.

Background Hair cells (HCs) are the sensory receptors in both the auditory and the vestibular organs of the inner ear. Supporting cells (SCs) are non-sensory cells embracing the HCs. Injuries of the HCs by aging, acoustic trauma or ototoxic drugs (mainly aminoglycosides, e.g. gentamicin) and cisplatin, often cause permanent impairment of hearing and balance. Birds and amphibians can regenerate their auditory and vestibular HCs after injury through proliferation of SCs or direct transdifferentiation of a SC into a HC. For mammals this ability is limited and spontaneous HC regeneration occurs only in the vestibular sensory epithelia. The utricle is one of the five vestibular organs and contributes to our balance by registering linear acceleration and head tilts. The aim of this PhD thesis was to investigate morphological and morphometric events during spontaneous HC regeneration following gentamicin exposure in neonatal rat utricular explants. Methods Long-term organ culture of macula utriculi, which is stable and reproducible for up to 28 days in vitro (DIV), was used in all papers in the thesis. HC damage was induced by gentamicin. On 2 DIV the explanted utricular maculae were divided into two groups, a control group and a gentamicin-exposed group. In the latter group macular explants were exposed to gentamicin for 48 hours during 2-3 DIV and then allowed to recover. Morphologic and morphometric evaluations were done from utricles harvested at various time points during 28 DIV. Imaging techniques used were light microscopy, including immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Results In the control group the epithelia were well preserved with a slight decline in HC density after 14 DIV. In the gentamicin-exposed group there was an initial substantial decline in HC density and thereafter the proportion of HCs in relation to SCs increased significantly. Using BrdU as a proliferation marker and myosin 7a as a HC marker, we found no cells that were double marked. At the ultrastructural level, the apical occlusion of the explanted epithelia was intact in both the control and the gentamicin exposed group during the entire in vitro period. Cells that seemed to be in a transitional state, transforming from SCs into HCs were observed in the gentamicin-exposed group. These cells had cytoplasmic extensions basally i.e. foot processes, an assembly of mitochondria basally in the cell or in these foot processes, and often apical SC extensions covering the HC. HCs classified as transitional cells had an increased number of SC connections to their basal parts compared to mature HCs. Conclusions  In these neonatal rat utricular explants: - The morphological structure of the sensory epithelia was well preserved during long-term culture. - The renewal of hair cells after gentamicin exposure occurred through direct transdifferentiation of supporting cells into hair cells. - There was also a proliferative response by the supporting cells, but this supporting cell proliferation did not contribute to the generation of new hair cells. - Cells in a transitional state, showing a characteristic morphology, were observed during the process of transdifferentiation from supporting cells into hair cells. - The tight junctional seal of the epithelia stayed morphologically intact also after gentamicin exposure. - Gap junctions were observed in between supporting cells but not found in between hair cells and supporting cells or between transitional cells and supporting cells.

Introduction: Nous avons déjà montré que l’insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC) entraîne une régulation négative du cytochrome P450 (CYP450) dans le foie et l’intestin de rat. La présente étude cherche à déterminer l’effet de l’IRC sur l’expression des enzymes du CYP450 dans le cerveau de rat. L’expression génique, protéique ainsi que l’activité des isoenzymes du CYP450 ont été analysées dans différentes régions du cerveau (hippocampe, cervelet, cortex et parenchyme cérébral) afin de déterminer l’effet de l’insuffisance rénale chronique sur le métabolisme cérébral des médicaments par le CYP450. Méthodes: Le cerveau entier de rats atteints d’IRC (induite par une néphrectomie sub-totale 5/6) et de rats témoins (laparotomie blanche) a été disséqué en 4 parties (cortex, cervelet, hippocampe et parenchyme cérébral). L’expression protéique et celle de l’ARNm des isoformes 1A, 2C11, 2D, 3A et 4A du cytochrome P450 a été étudiée respectivement par immunobuvardage de type Western et PCR en Temps Réel. L’activité du CYP3A a été mesurée par le métabolisme du DFB en DFH sur des préparations de microsomes de cerveau. Une technique de culture cellulaire d’astrocytes a été mise au point et a permis d’évaluer l’expression des enzymes dans ces cellules suite à l’incubation des astrocytes avec le sérum de rats atteints d’insuffisance rénale chronique. Résultats: Chez les rats atteints d’IRC, les niveaux géniques de CYP1A, 2C et 3A sont diminués d’au moins 40% (p < 0,05) dans presque toutes les parties étudiées. Les niveaux d’ARNm du CYP2D demeurent inchangés. De plus, une diminution significative d’au moins 45% (p < 0,05) de l’expression protéique des CYP1A, 2C et 3A est observée dans presque toutes les structures étudiées. L’activité enzymatique de CYP3A est diminuée significativement dans le cerveau de rats IRC, ainsi que l’expression des enzymes du CYP2C11 dans les astrocytes en culture lorsqu’incubés avec du sérum de rat urémique. Conclusions: Ces études démontrent que le cerveau est également affecté par l’IRC. Ceci se traduit par une diminution de l’expression protéique, génique, ainsi que de l’activité des enzymes du CYP450. Cette diminution pourrait expliquer une augmentation des effets secondaires dans le système nerveux central en IRC. / Background: It has been shown that chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with a downregulation of liver and intestinal cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in the rat. The present study aimed to investigate the repercussions of CRF on Brain. CYP450 isoenzymes mRNA and protein expression, as well as activity in different brain regions (cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and rest of brain parenchyma), have been studied in order to determine the effects of CRF on cerebral drug metabolism by CYP450. Methods: The entire brain of CRF rats (induced by 5/6th nephrectomy) and control rats (sham laparotomy) was dissected into 4 parts (cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and rest of brain parenchyma). Protein and mRNA expression of CYP1A, CYP2C, CYP2D, CYP3A, and CYP4A were assessed by Western Blot assay and Real Time PCR, respectively. CYP3A activity was assessed using DFB metabolism into DFH in brain microsomal preparation. Protein and mRNA expression were also assessed in cultured astrocytes incubated with serum from CRF rats. Results: In CRF rats, mRNA levels of CYP1A, CYP2C, and CYP3A were decreased significantly by at least 40% (p < 0.05) in almost all studied brain regions. Protein expression of these isoforms was decreased by at least 45% (p < 0.05) in almost all structures. A significant decrease in CYP3A activity was observed in the brain. The incubation of astrocytes with CRF sera induced a decrease in the protein and mRNA expression of the CYP2C11. Conclusions: CRF is associated with a decrease in some major drug-metabolizing enzymes, which could explain an increase in bioavailability of drugs in the brain.

Bacterial toxins have been shown to modify animal cell proteins in vivo with ADPR. Animal cells also contain endogenous enzymes that can modify proteins. Indirect evidence for the existence in vivo of rat liver proteins modified by ADPR on arginine residues has been reported previously. Presented here is direct evidence for the existence of ADP-ribosylarginine in rat liver proteins. Proteins were subjected to exhaustive protease digestion and ADP-ribosyl amino acids were isolated by boronate chromatography.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.