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Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Anjos-Garcia TD, Rebelo MA, Hernandes PM, Almada RC, Tanus-Santos JE, Coimbra NC. The anterior cingulate cortex and its interface with the dorsal periaqueductal grey regulating nitric oxide-mediated panic-like behaviour and defensive antinociception. Neuropharmacology 2024; 245:109831. [PMID: 38160873 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) Cg1 (24b) area modulates glutamate-mediated unconditioned fear and antinociception organised by hypothalamus. However, it remains unknown whether 24b area also modulates these latter defensive responses through connections with the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter (dPAG), a midbrain structure implicated in the genesis of innate fear-induced defence. The aim of this work is to examine the correlation between the behavioural effects of intra-ACC microinjections of vehicle, NMDA (1 nmol) or lidocaine (2%) with Fos protein expression and nitrergic activity in the dPAG of male C57BL/6 mice that were threatened by snakes. In addition, the 24b area-dPAG pathways were also characterised by neural tract tracing procedures. Finally, the effect of dPAG pretreatment with the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-propyl-l-arginine (NPLA; 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 nmol) 10 min before 24b area treatment with NMDA on behavioural and nociceptive responses of threatened mice was studied. The activation of 24b area N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors facilitated escape and freezing rather than risk assessment, and enhanced Fos expression and nitrite levels in dPAG, while lidocaine decreased escape and risk assessment as well as Fos and nitrergic activity in dPAG. In addition, dPAG pretreatment with NPLA suppressed intra-24b NMDA-facilitated panicogenic effects while increased nociception. Infusions of an antegrade neurotracer into 24b area showed axonal fibres surrounding both dorsomedial and dorsolateral PAG perikarya. Neurons were identified in 24b area after deposits of a retrograde neurotracer into dPAG. Our findings suggest that the ACC/24b area modulates innate defensive responses through the recruitment of dPAG nitrergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Psychobiology Division, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil; Biomedical Sciences Institute of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Macário Arosti Rebelo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Paloma Molina Hernandes
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurobiotechnology, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Humanities and Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Carvalho Almada
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Psychobiology Division, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurobiotechnology, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Humanities and Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose Eduardo Tanus-Santos
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Psychobiology Division, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Uribe-Mariño A, Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Castiblanco-Urbina MA, Pigatto GR, Ullah F, da Silva JA, Coimbra NC. Alpha 1- and Beta-norepinephrinergic receptors of dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei modulate panic attack-like defensive behaviour elicited by diencephalic GABAergic neurotransmission disinhibition. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 236:173710. [PMID: 38262489 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) disinhibition in medial hypothalamus (MH) nuclei of rats elicits some defensive reactions that are considered panic attack-like behaviours. Recent evidence showed that the norepinephrine-mediated system modulates fear-related defensive behaviours organised by MH neurons at least in part via noradrenergic receptors recruitment on midbrain tegmentum. However, it is unknown whether noradrenergic receptors of the MH also modulate the panic attack-like reactions. The aim of this work was to investigate the distribution of noradrenergic receptors in MH, and the effects of either α1-, α2- or β-noradrenergic receptors blockade in the MH on defensive behaviours elaborated by hypothalamic nuclei. Defensive behaviours were evaluated after the microinjection of the selective GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline into the MH that was preceded by microinjection of either WB4101, RX821002, propranolol (α1-, α2- and β-noradrenergic receptor selective antagonists, respectively), or physiological saline into the MH of male Wistar rats. The α1-, α2- and β-noradrenergic receptors were found in neuronal perikarya of all MH nuclei, and the α2-noradrenergic receptor were also found on glial cells mainly situated in the ventrolateral division of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. The α1- and β-noradrenergic receptors blockade in the MH decreased defensive attention and escape reactions elicited by the intra-MH microinjections of bicuculline. These findings suggest that, despite the profuse distributions of α1-, α2- and β-noradrenergic receptors in the MH, both α1- and β-noradrenergic receptor- rather than α2-noradrenergic receptor-signalling in MH are critical for the neuromodulation of panic-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Uribe-Mariño
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Angélica Castiblanco-Urbina
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Glauce Regina Pigatto
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Farhad Ullah
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320 Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Eastern Medicine and Surgery, School of Medical and Health Sciences of the University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Juliana Almeida da Silva
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil..
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Brookes J, Hall S, Frühholz S, Bach DR. Immersive VR for investigating threat avoidance: The VRthreat toolkit for Unity. Behav Res Methods 2023:10.3758/s13428-023-02241-y. [PMID: 37794208 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-023-02241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
All animals have to respond to immediate threats in order to survive. In non-human animals, a diversity of sophisticated behaviours has been observed, but research in humans is hampered by ethical considerations. Here, we present a novel immersive VR toolkit for the Unity engine that allows assessing threat-related behaviour in single, semi-interactive, and semi-realistic threat encounters. The toolkit contains a suite of fully modelled naturalistic environments, interactive objects, animated threats, and scripted systems. These are arranged together by the researcher as a means of creating an experimental manipulation, to form a series of independent "episodes" in immersive VR. Several specifically designed tools aid the design of these episodes, including a system to allow for pre-sequencing the movement plans of animal threats. Episodes can be built with the assets included in the toolkit, but also easily extended with custom scripts, threats, and environments if required. During the experiments, the software stores behavioural, movement, and eye tracking data. With this software, we aim to facilitate the use of immersive VR in human threat avoidance research and thus to close a gap in the understanding of human behaviour under threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Brookes
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Samson Hall
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sascha Frühholz
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dominik R Bach
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
- Hertz Chair for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, Transdisciplinary Research Area "Life and Health", University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Dos Anjos-Garcia T, Hernandes PM, Rodrigues BMDP, Almada RC, Coimbra NC. Unravelling the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter NMDA receptors relevance in the nitric oxide-mediated panic‑like behaviour and defensive antinociception organised by the anterior hypothalamus of male mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:319-335. [PMID: 36648509 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06309-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Previous studies suggested that the dorsal column of the periaqueductal grey matter (dPAG) can be a target of neural pathways from hypothalamic nuclei involved in triggering fear-related defensive responses. In turn, evidence is provided suggesting that microinjection of the nitric oxide (NO) donor SIN-1 into the anterior hypothalamus (AH) of mice evokes panic-like behaviours and fear-induced antinociception. However, it is unknown whether the dPAG of mice mediates these latter defensive responses organised by AH neurons. OBJECTIVES This study was designed to examine the role of dPAG in mediating SIN-1-evoked fear-induced defensive behavioural and antinociceptive responses organised in the AH of mice. METHODS First, neural tract tracing was performed to characterise the AH-dPAG pathways. Then, using neuropharmacological approaches, we evaluated the effects of dPAG pretreatment with either the non-selective synaptic blocker cobalt chloride (CoCl2; 1 mM/0.1 μL) or the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist LY235959 (0.1 nmol/0.1 μL) on defensive behaviours and antinociception induced by microinjections of SIN-1 in the AH of male C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS AlexaFluor488-conjugated dextran-labelled axonal fibres from AH neurons were identified in both dorsomedial and dorsolateral PAG columns. Furthermore, we showed that pre-treatment of the dPAG with either CoCl2 or LY235959 inhibited freezing and impaired oriented escape and antinociception induced by infusions of SIN-1 into the AH. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the panic-like freezing and oriented escape defensive behaviours, and fear-induced antinociception elicited by intra-AH microinjections of SIN-1 depend on the activation of dPAG NMDA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions (NuPNE) Research Centre, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14220-030, Brazil.
| | - Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
- Biomedical Sciences Institute of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paloma Molina Hernandes
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Humanities and Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Mangili de Paula Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Carvalho Almada
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14220-030, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Humanities and Languages, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions (NuPNE) Research Centre, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14220-030, Brazil.
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Vijayan S, Warrant EJ, Somanathan H. Defensive shimmering responses in Apis dorsata are triggered by dark stimuli moving against a bright background. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276184. [PMID: 35916166 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Giant honeybees, including the open-nesting Asian giant honeybee Apis dorsata, display a spectacular collective defence behaviour - known as "shimmering" - against predators, which is characterised by travelling waves generated by individual bees flipping their abdomens in a coordinated and sequential manner across the bee curtain. We examined if shimmering is visually-mediated by presenting moving stimuli of varying sizes and contrasts to the background (dark or light) in bright and dim ambient light conditions. Shimmering was strongest under bright ambient light, and its strength declined under dim-light in this facultatively nocturnal bee. A. dorsata shimmered only when presented with the darkest stimulus against a light background, but not when this condition was reversed (light stimulus against dark background). This response did not attenuate with repeated exposure to the stimuli, suggesting that shimmering behaviour does not undergo habituation. We suggest that this is an effective anti-predatory strategy in open-nesting A. dorsata colonies which are exposed to high ambient light, as flying predators are more easily detected when they appear as dark moving objects against a bright sky. Moreover, the stimulus detection threshold (smallest visual angular size) is much smaller in this anti-predatory context (1.6o - 3.4o) than in the context of foraging (5.7o), indicating that ecological context affects visual detection threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajesh Vijayan
- IISER TVM Centre for Research and Education in Ecology and Evolution (ICREEE), School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Eric J Warrant
- Lund Vision Group, Department of Biology, University of Lund, Sölvegatan 35, Lund, S-22362, Sweden
| | - Hema Somanathan
- IISER TVM Centre for Research and Education in Ecology and Evolution (ICREEE), School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Fratini E, Salvemini M, Lombardo F, Muzzi M, Molfini M, Gisondi S, Roma E, D'Ezio V, Persichini T, Gasperi T, Mariottini P, Di Giulio A, Bologna MA, Cervelli M, Mancini E. Unraveling the role of male reproductive tract and haemolymph in cantharidin-exuding Lydus trimaculatus and Mylabris variabilis (Coleoptera: Meloidae): a comparative transcriptomics approach. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:808. [PMID: 34749651 PMCID: PMC8576976 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Meloidae (blister beetles) are known to synthetize cantharidin (CA), a toxic and defensive terpene mainly stored in male accessory glands (MAG) and emitted outward through reflex-bleeding. Recent progresses in understanding CA biosynthesis and production organ(s) in Meloidae have been made, but the way in which self-protection is achieved from the hazardous accumulation and release of CA in blister beetles has been experimentally neglected. To provide hints on this pending question, a comparative de novo assembly transcriptomic approach was performed by targeting two tissues where CA is largely accumulated and regularly circulates in Meloidae: the male reproductive tract (MRT) and the haemolymph. Differential gene expression profiles in these tissues were examined in two blister beetle species, Lydus trimaculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (tribe Lyttini) and Mylabris variabilis (Pallas, 1781) (tribe Mylabrini). Upregulated transcripts were compared between the two species to identify conserved genes possibly involved in CA detoxification and transport. Results Based on our results, we hypothesize that, to avoid auto-intoxication, ABC, MFS or other solute transporters might sequester purported glycosylated CA precursors into MAG, and lipocalins could bind CA and mitigate its reactivity when released into the haemolymph during the autohaemorrhaging response. We also found an over-representation in haemolymph of protein-domains related to coagulation and integument repairing mechanisms that likely reflects the need to limit fluid loss during reflex-bleeding. Conclusions The de novo assembled transcriptomes of L. trimaculatus and M. variabilis here provided represent valuable genetic resources to further explore the mechanisms employed to cope with toxicity of CA in blister beetle tissues. These, if revealed, might help conceiving safe and effective drug-delivery approaches to enhance the use of CA in medicine. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08118-8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Muzzi
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Molfini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Gisondi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elia Roma
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Tecla Gasperi
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Emiliano Mancini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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Gazzola A, Balestrieri A, Scribano G, Fontana A, Pellitteri-Rosa D. Contextual behavioural plasticity in Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpoles exposed to native and alien predator cues. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:238115. [PMID: 33795420 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.240465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Predation is a strong driver for the evolution of prey behaviour. To properly assess the actual risk of predation, anuran tadpoles mostly rely on water-borne chemical cues, and their ability to evaluate environmental information is even more crucial when potential predators consist of unknown alien species. Behavioural plasticity - that is, the capacity to express changes in behaviour in response to different environmental stimuli - is crucial to cope with predation risk. We explored the defensive behaviour of Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpoles when exposed to the chemical cues of two predator species, one native (dragonfly larvae) and one alien (red swamp crayfish). Firstly, we observed whether a plastic life history trait (i.e. hatching time) might be affected by native predatory cues. Secondly, we recorded a suite of behavioural responses (activity level, lateralization and sinuosity) to each cue. For assessing lateralization and sinuosity, we developed a C++ code for the automatic analysis of digitally recorded tadpole tracks. Hatching time seemed not to be affected by the potential risk of predation, while both predator species and diet affected tadpoles' defensive behaviour. Tadpoles responded to a predator threat by two main defensive strategies: freezing and 'zig-zagging'. While the first behaviour had previously been reported, the analysis of individual trajectories indicated that tadpoles can also increase path complexity, probably to prevent predators from anticipating their location. We also recorded a decrease in lateralization intensity, which suggests that under predation risk, tadpoles tend to scrutinize the surrounding environment equally on both sides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gazzola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scribano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Fontana
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
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Gazzola A, Balestrieri A, Scribano G, Fontana A, Pellitteri-Rosa D. Contextual behavioural plasticity in Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpoles exposed to native and alien predator cues. J Exp Biol 2021. [PMID: 33795420 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.qfttdz0gb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Predation is a strong driver for the evolution of prey behaviour. To properly assess the actual risk of predation, anuran tadpoles mostly rely on water-borne chemical cues, and their ability to evaluate environmental information is even more crucial when potential predators consist of unknown alien species. Behavioural plasticity - that is, the capacity to express changes in behaviour in response to different environmental stimuli - is crucial to cope with predation risk. We explored the defensive behaviour of Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpoles when exposed to the chemical cues of two predator species, one native (dragonfly larvae) and one alien (red swamp crayfish). Firstly, we observed whether a plastic life history trait (i.e. hatching time) might be affected by native predatory cues. Secondly, we recorded a suite of behavioural responses (activity level, lateralization and sinuosity) to each cue. For assessing lateralization and sinuosity, we developed a C++ code for the automatic analysis of digitally recorded tadpole tracks. Hatching time seemed not to be affected by the potential risk of predation, while both predator species and diet affected tadpoles' defensive behaviour. Tadpoles responded to a predator threat by two main defensive strategies: freezing and 'zig-zagging'. While the first behaviour had previously been reported, the analysis of individual trajectories indicated that tadpoles can also increase path complexity, probably to prevent predators from anticipating their location. We also recorded a decrease in lateralization intensity, which suggests that under predation risk, tadpoles tend to scrutinize the surrounding environment equally on both sides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gazzola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scribano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Fontana
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
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Tafreshiha A, van der Burg SA, Smits K, Blömer LA, Heimel JA. Visual stimulus-specific habituation of innate defensive behaviour in mice. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.230433. [PMID: 33568444 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.230433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Innate defensive responses such as freezing or escape are essential for animal survival. Mice show defensive behaviour to stimuli sweeping overhead, like a bird cruising the sky. Here, we tested this in young male mice and found that mice reduced their defensive freezing after sessions with a stimulus passing overhead repeatedly. This habituation is stimulus specific, as mice freeze again to a novel shape. Habituation occurs regardless of the visual field location of the repeated stimulus. The mice generalized over a range of sizes and shapes, but distinguished objects when they differed in both size and shape. Innate visual defensive responses are thus strongly influenced by previous experience as mice learn to ignore specific stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Tafreshiha
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sven A van der Burg
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kato Smits
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laila A Blömer
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Alexander Heimel
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Récopé M, Fache H, Beaujouan J, Coutarel F, Rix-Lièvre G. A study of the individual activity of professional volleyball players: Situation assessment and sensemaking under time pressure. Appl Ergon 2019; 80:226-237. [PMID: 30033038 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to understand interindividual differences in defensive behaviour in elite volleyball players facing similar game situations. This recurrent observation leads us to adopt an activity-centred ergonomic approach. Two case studies are conducted in naturalistic contexts. In the first, thirty-one professional players are observed in order to account for typical forms of behaviour in relation to certain specific sets of game situations. Two characteristic populations are distinguished. The second study uses observations and self-confrontation interviews with twelve players representative of each population in order to characterise their situation assessment. Results highlight important contrasts between the two populations, both in behaviour and in situation assessment. They suggest that one norm of activity centred on the rally-ending issue and another on the roles to be assumed, guide the specific coherency of these populations under time pressure. The identification of these norms provides a hypothesis concerning the foundations of sensemaking. Implications for training development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Récopé
- Université Clermont Auvergne, ACTé, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Hélène Fache
- Université Clermont Auvergne, ACTé, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Joffrey Beaujouan
- Université Clermont Auvergne, ACTé, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Fabien Coutarel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, ACTé, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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11
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Uribe-Mariño A, Castiblanco-Urbina MA, Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Dos Anjos-Garcia T, de Oliveira RC, Mendes-Gomes J, da Silva Soares R, Matthiesen M, Almada RC, de Oliveira R, Coimbra NC. The alpha- and beta-noradrenergic receptors blockade in the dorsal raphe nucleus impairs the panic-like response elaborated by medial hypothalamus neurons. Brain Res 2019; 1725:146468. [PMID: 31541642 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) neurons are reciprocally connected to the locus coeruleus (LC) and send neural pathways to the medial hypothalamus (MH). The aim of this work was to investigate whether the blockade of α1-, α2- or β-noradrenergic receptors in the DRN or the inactivation of noradrenergic neurons in the LC modify defensive behaviours organised by MH neurons. For this purpose, Wistar male rats received microinjections of WB4101, RX821002, propranolol (α1-, α2- and β-noradrenergic receptor antagonists, respectively) or physiological saline in the DRN, followed 10 min later by MH GABAA receptor blockade. Other groups of animals received DSP-4 (a noradrenergic neurotoxin), physiological saline or only a needle insertion (sham group) into the LC, and 5 days later, bicuculline or physiological saline was administered in the MH. In all these cases, after MH treatment, the frequency and duration of defensive responses were recorded over 15 min. An anterograde neural tract tracer was also deposited in the DRN. DRN neurons send pathways to lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamus. Blockade of α1- and β-noradrenergic receptors in the DRN decreased escape reactions elicited by bicuculline microinjections in the MH. In addition, a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviours was observed after the blockade of α2-noradrenergic receptors in the DRN. LC pretreatment with DSP-4 decreased both anxiety- and panic attack-like behaviours evoked by GABAA receptor blockade in the MH. In summary, the present findings suggest that the norepinephrine-mediated system modulates defensive reactions organised by MH neurons at least in part via noradrenergic receptors recruitment on DRN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Uribe-Mariño
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstraße 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Angélica Castiblanco-Urbina
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz-Zentrum München-German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rithiele Cristina de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joyce Mendes-Gomes
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raimundo da Silva Soares
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Melina Matthiesen
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Carvalho Almada
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil; Health Sciences Institute, Mato Grosso Federal University Medical School (UFMT), Av. Alexandre Ferronato, 1200, Reserva 35, Setor industrial, 78550-000 Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Avenida do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto 14220-030, São Paulo, Brazil.
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da Silva Soares R Jr, Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Almada RC, Coimbra NC. Dorsal raphe nucleus 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors are critical for the organisation of panic attack-like defensive behaviour and unconditioned fear-induced antinociception elicited by the chemical stimulation of superior colliculus neurons. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:858-70. [PMID: 31227263 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Microinjections of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) in the midbrain tectum structures produce panic attack-like defensive behaviours, followed by an antinociceptive response. It has been suggested that fear-related defensive responses organised by brainstem neurons can be modulated by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). However, there is a shortage of studies showing the role of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) 5-HT2A receptors in the modulation of panic-like behaviour and fear-induced antinociception organised by the superior colliculus (SC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the participation of DRN 5-HT2A receptors in the modulation of panic attack-like behaviour and antinociception evoked by intra-SC injections of NMDA. In experiment I, the animals received microinjections of physiological saline or NMDA (6, 9 and 12 nmol) in the deep layers of the SC (dlSC). In experiment II, the most effective dose of NMDA (12 nmol) or vehicle was preceded by microinjections of vehicle or the 5-HT2A receptor selective antagonist R-96544 at different concentrations (0.5, 5 and 10 nM) in the DRN. Both proaversive and antinociceptive effects elicited by intra-dlSC injections of NMDA were attenuated by DRN pretreatment with R-96544. In addition, a morphological analysis showed that 5-HT2A receptors are present in GABAergic interneurons in the DRN. Taken together, these findings suggest that DRN 5-HT2A receptors are critical for the modulation of both panic attack-like defensive behaviour organised by SC neurons and unconditioned fear-induced antinociception. A possible interaction between serotonergic inputs, GABAergic interneurons and serotonergic outputs from the DRN was also considered.
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Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Dos Anjos-Garcia T, de Oliveira R, Coimbra NC. Decrease in NMDA receptor-signalling activity in the anterior cingulate cortex diminishes defensive behaviour and unconditioned fear-induced antinociception elicited by GABAergic tonic inhibition impairment in the posterior hypothalamus. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:1120-31. [PMID: 28939165 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Acute γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) disinhibition in the posterior hypothalamus (PH) elicits defensive reactions that are considered anxiety- and panic attack-like behaviour, and these defensive reactions are followed by antinociception. Evidence indicates that the PH connects with the medial prefrontal cortex, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which seems to regulate these unconditioned fear-induced defensive responses. However, few studies have shown the participation of cortical regions in the control of behavioural and antinociceptive responses organised by diencephalic structures. It has been suggested that the glutamatergic system can mediate this cortical influence, as excitatory imbalance is believed to play a role in both defensive mechanisms. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of ACC glutamatergic connections via blockade of local N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors to elaborate panic-like defensive behaviours and unconditioned fear-induced antinociception organised by PH neurons. Wistar rats were treated with microinjections of 0.9% NaCl or LY235959 (a selective NMDA receptor antagonist) in the ACC at different concentrations (2, 4 and 8 nmol/0.2μL), followed by GABAA receptor blockade in the PH. Defensive reactions were analysed for 20min, and the nociceptive threshold was then measured at 10-min intervals for 60min. Pretreatment of the ACC with LY235959 reduced both panic-like defensive behaviour and fear-induced antinociception evoked by PH GABAergic disinhibition. Our findings suggest that ACC NMDA receptor-signalled glutamatergic inputs play a relevant role in the organisation of anxiety- and panic attack-like behaviours and in fear-induced antinociception.
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Maeno KO, Ould Ely S, Nakamura S, Abdellaoui K, Cissé S, Jaavar MEH, Ould Mohamed S, Atheimine M, Ould Babah MA. Daily microhabitat shifting of solitarious-phase Desert locust adults: implications for meaningful population monitoring. Springerplus 2016; 5:107. [PMID: 26877905 PMCID: PMC4735039 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-1741-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The Desert locust Schistocerca gregaria is a major world pest that causes substantial agricultural and economic damage. Effective pest control relies on effective monitoring, which requires knowledge of locust microhabitat selection. Yet little is known about microhabitat selection of solitarious adult locusts in the field. We conducted field surveys to investigate fine-scale diel temporal and spatial distributions of solitarious adults in the Sahara Desert in Mauritania, a major breeding and recession area. We found that solitarious adults moved among different, specific microhabitats throughout the 24-h period in a cyclical manner. At night, they roosted in trees, moved to the ground to feed shortly after dawn, sheltered in low vegetation during the hot midday, and returned to the ground in the late afternoon. Hence, they switched microhabitats and plant species throughout each day. These cyclical daily movements among diverse microhabitats and specific plant species were correlated with time of day, light intensity, temperature, humidity, and specific plant species, and may relate to anti-predator defence, thermoregulation, and feeding. The present study suggests that locust monitoring should be adjusted, based on time of day, locust age, phase state and relative abundance of specific plant species. For example, we recommend surveying ground after morning and trees at night, for solitarious adults, when at low density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koutaro Ould Maeno
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania ; Hakubi Center for Advanced Research and Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Sidi Ould Ely
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Satoshi Nakamura
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Ohwash 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686 Japan
| | - Khemais Abdellaoui
- Département des Sciences Biologiques et de la Protection des Végétaux, Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott-Mariem, BP 47, 4042 Chott-Mariem, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Sory Cissé
- Centre National de Lutte contre le Criquet pèlerin, BP E-4281, Quartier du fleuve, Rue 313, Porte 261, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mohamed El Hacen Jaavar
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Sid'Ahmed Ould Mohamed
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Mohamed Atheimine
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah
- The Mauritanian Desert Locust Centre, Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA), BP 665, Nouakchott, Mauritania
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Arca M, Papachristoforou A, Mougel F, Rortais A, Monceau K, Bonnard O, Tardy P, Thiéry D, Silvain JF, Arnold G. Defensive behaviour of Apis mellifera against Vespa velutina in France: testing whether European honeybees can develop an effective collective defence against a new predator. Behav Processes 2014; 106:122-9. [PMID: 24857979 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the prey-predator interactions between the European honeybee, Apis mellifera, and the invasive yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, which first invaded France in 2004 and thereafter spread to neighbouring European countries (Spain, Portugal and Italy). Our goal was to determine how successfully honeybees are able to defend their colonies against their new predator in Europe. Experiments were conducted in the southwest of France-the point of entry of the hornet in Europe-under natural and semi-controlled field conditions. We investigated a total of eight apiaries and 95 colonies subjected to either low or high levels of predation. We analyzed hornet predatory behaviour and collective response of colonies under attack. The results showed that A. mellifera in France exhibit an inefficient and unorganized defence against V. velutina, unlike in other regions of Europe and other areas around the globe where honeybees have co-evolved with their natural Vespa predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Arca
- CNRS, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France; Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France; Unité de Recherche IRD 072, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Alexandros Papachristoforou
- CNRS, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France; Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France; Laboratory of Animal Physiology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Florence Mougel
- CNRS, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France; Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
| | - Agnès Rortais
- CNRS, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France; Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
| | - Karine Monceau
- INRA, UMR1065 Save, ISVV, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France; Université de Bordeaux, UMR1065 Save, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France
| | - Olivier Bonnard
- INRA, UMR1065 Save, ISVV, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France; Université de Bordeaux, UMR1065 Save, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France
| | - Pascal Tardy
- Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de l'Intégration du Matériau au Système (IMS), CNRS UMR 5218, ENSCBP, 16, av. Pey Berland, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Denis Thiéry
- INRA, UMR1065 Save, ISVV, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France; Université de Bordeaux, UMR1065 Save, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, B.P. 81, F-33883 Villenave d'Ornon Cedex, France
| | - Jean-François Silvain
- Unité de Recherche IRD 072, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Gérard Arnold
- CNRS, Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, UPR 9034, CNRS, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France; Université Paris-Sud 11, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
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