Neurochemistry and circuit organization of the lateral spiriform nucleus of birds: A uniquely nonmammalian direct pathway component of the basal ganglia.

We used diverse methods to characterize the role of avian lateral spiriform nucleus (SpL) in basal ganglia motor function. Connectivity analysis showed that SpL receives input from globus pallidus (GP), and the intrapeduncular nucleus (INP) located ventromedial to GP, whose neurons express numerous striatal markers. SpL-projecting GP neurons were large and aspiny, while SpL-projecting INP neurons were medium sized and spiny.

Activation of the cGAS/STING Axis in Genome-Damaged Hematopoietic Cells Does Not Impact Blood Cell Formation or Leukemogenesis.

Unlabelled: Genome damage is a main driver of malignant transformation, but it also induces aberrant inflammation via the cGAS/STING DNA-sensing pathway. Activation of cGAS/STING can trigger cell death and senescence, thereby potentially eliminating genome-damaged cells and preventing against malignant transformation. Here, we report that defective ribonucleotide excision repair (RER) in the hematopoietic system caused genome instability with concomitant activation of the cGAS/STING axis and compromised hematopoietic stem cell function, ultimately resulting in leukemogenesis.

Enteric neuroanatomy and smooth muscle activity in the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) functions are controlled by the enteric nervous system (ENS) in vertebrates, but data on snakes are scarce, as most studies were done in mammals. However, the feeding of many snakes, including Crotalus atrox, is in strong contrast with mammals, as it consumes an immense, intact prey that is forwarded, stored, and processed by the GI tract. We performed immunohistochemistry in different regions of the GI tract to assess the neuronal density and to quantify cholinergic, nitrergic, and VIPergic enteric neurons.

Azimuthal sound localization in the chicken.

Sound localization is crucial for the survival and reproduction of animals, including non-auditory specialist animals such as the majority of avian species. The chicken (Gallus gallus) is a well-suited representative of a non-auditory specialist bird and several aspects of its auditory system have been well studied in the last decades. We conducted a behavioral experiment where 3 roosters performed a sound localization task with broad-band noise, using a 2-alternative forced choice paradigm.