Search results for "NEUROSCIENCE"

Pharmacological Characterization of Melanocortin Receptors in Fish Suggests an Important Role for ACTH

2005

The melanocortin (MC) receptor subtypes have distinctive characteristic binding profiles. We found that the trout and Fugu MC4 receptors have similar affinity for alpha-MSH and beta-MSH and a much higher affinity for ACTH than does the human MC4 receptor. The Fugu MC1 and the trout and Fugu MC5 receptors also have higher affinity for ACTH-derived peptides than alpha-, beta-, or gamma-MSH. It is tempting to speculate that ACTH-derived peptides may have played an important role as "original" ligands at the MC receptors, while the specificity of the different subtypes for the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-MSH peptides may have appeared at later stages during vertebrate evolution.

Distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor-immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous system of the domestic chicken and Japanese quail

2004

In birds, as in mammals, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is present in a number of extrahypothalamic brain regions, indicating that CRF may play a role in physiological and behavioral responses other than the control of adrenocorticotropin hormone release by the pituitary. To provide a foundation for investigation of the roles of CRF in the control of avian behavior, the distribution of CRF immunoreactivity was determined throughout the central nervous system of the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The distribution of CRF-immunoreactive (-ir) perikarya and fibers in the chicken and quail brain was found to be more extensive than previously re…

2015

The melanocortin system is one of the most important neuronal pathways involved in the regulation of food intake and is probably the best characterized. Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expressing neurons located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus are the key elements of this system. These two neuronal populations are sensitive to circulating molecules and receive many excitatory and inhibitory inputs from various brain areas. According to sensory and metabolic information they integrate, these neurons control different aspects of feeding behavior and orchestrate autonomic responses aimed at maintaining energy homeostasis. Interestingly, composition and a…

Comparative Morphology of the Vertebrate Pineal Complex

1979

Publisher Summary This chapter explores whether there is evidence for the assumption that the mammalian pineal organ is a complex rather than a single organ with a uniform function. It is pointed out that the pineal organ is structurally very complex, especially in rodents. The uneven development of the pineal organ in rodents and the topographical relationships of the pineal organs in other mammalian orders have prompted a classification which is based on the shape, the size, and localization of the pineal organ. A tentative classification of the pineal organs of thoroughly studied species shows that closely related species have similar types of pineals. Based on the different localization…

Participation and performance trends in ultra-triathlons from 1985 to 2009.

2011

International audience; We examined the changes in participation and performance trends in ultra-triathlons, from the Double Iron (7.6 km swimming, 360 km cycling, 84.4 km running) to the Deca Iron (38 km swimming, 1800 km cycling, 422 km running), between 1985 (first year of a Double Iron) and 2009 (25 years). The mean finish rate for all distances and races was 75.8%. Women accounted for ∼8-10% of the ultra-triathlons starters. For Double and Triple Iron, the number of finishers per year increased, from 17 to 98 and from 7 to 41, respectively. In the Deca Iron, the finishers per race have remained <20 since the first event was held, up to 2009. Concerning World best performances, the men …

Peripheral Alterations in Cytokine and Chemokine Levels After Antidepressant Drug Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta…

2017

Mounting evidence suggests that aberrations in immune-inflammatory pathways contribute to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), and individuals with MDD may have elevated levels of predominantly pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein. In addition, previous meta-analyses suggest that antidepressant drug treatment may decrease peripheral levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-6. Recently, several new studies examining the effect of antidepressants on these cytokines have been published, and so we performed an updated meta-analysis of studies that measured peripheral levels of cytokines and chemokines during antidepressant treatment in patients with MDD. The P…

Multimodal Communication and Peer Interaction during Equation-Solving Sessions with and without Tangible Technologies

2023

Despite the increasing use of technologies in the classroom, there are concerns that technology-enhanced learning environments may hinder students’ communication and interaction. In this study, we investigated how tangible technologies can enhance students’ multimodal communication and interaction during equation-solving pair work compared to working without such technologies. A tangible app for learning equation solving was developed and tested in fourth and fifth-grade classrooms with two class teachers and 24 students. Video data of the interventions were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis. Coded data were also quantified for quantitative analysis. Additionally, teac…

Dynamic Office Environments Improve Brain Activity and Attentional Performance Mediated by Increased Motor Activity.

2018

Current research demonstrates beneficial effects of physical activity on brain functions and cognitive performance. To date, less is known on the effects of gross motor movements that do not fall into the category of sports-related aerobic or anaerobic exercise. In previous studies, we found beneficial effects of dynamic working environments, i.e., environments that encourage movements during cognitive task performance, on cognitive performance and corresponding brain activity. Aim of the present study was to examine the effects of working in a dynamic and a static office environment on attentional and vigilance performance, and on the corresponding electroencephalographic (EEG) brain oscil…

A century of trends in adult human height

2016

Article

Muscle function in monozygotic female twin pairs discordant for hormone replacement therapy

2011

Introduction: Postmenopausal monozygotic twin pairs discordant for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) provide an advantageous study design controlling for genetic background for elucidating the relationships between aging, sex hormone levels, muscle strength, contractile capacity, and fatigability. Methods: Thirteen postmenopausal monozygotic twin pairs discordant for HRT were measured for maximal voluntary torque (MVC) and twitch characteristics using electrical stimulation before and after intermittent dynamic plantarflexor exercise until exhaustion. Results: Peak twitch torque was 32% higher in HRT users than in their non-HRT, genetically identical sisters (P = 0.002), but MVC did not dif…