United in death-related by blood? Genetic and archeometric analyses of skeletal remains from the neolithic earthwork Bruchsal-Aue.

Objectives: Straight next to a segment of the outer ditch of the Late Neolithic Michelsberg Culture earthwork of Bruchsal-Aue in SW-Germany (ca. 4250-3650 calBC), a multiple burial of eight individuals (two male adults and six children) plus a subsequent child burial was excavated. In this study, we applied a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate interpersonal relationships and life histories within this collective.

Methylphenidate-induced motor activity in rats: modulation by melatonin and vasopressin.

Methylphenidate (MPH), a dopamine (DA) reuptake inhibitor, is well known to enhance motor activity, in part depending on the time of its application during the light-dark cycle. Moreover, after MPH administration, the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial axis including the neuropeptide vasopressin (AVP) was found influenced. Both the latter and behavioural effects of central AVP can also be modulated by the pineal gland with its light-dark-dependent activity.

Pinealectomy blocks modulation of active avoidance by central vasopressin application in rats.

The inter-relationship between central vasopressin and the pineal gland in the modulation of active avoidance behavior was investigated. In sham-operated (SO) rats, intracerebroventricular (i.c.

Septal vasopressin induced preservation of social recognition in rats was abolished by pinealectomy.

The role of intraseptal vasopressin (AVP) and the pineal gland in the modulation of social memory was investigated. For social recognition, male pinealectomised (Px) and sham-operated (SO) rats were confronted with juveniles for 4 min, and injected with either 200 pg AVP or 5 ng of its V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP (AAVP) into the mediolateral septum. Re-exposure to the same and a different juvenile took place after 30 or 120 min.

Effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on retrieval of passive avoidance response in melatonin-treated and/or pinealectomized male rats.

The role of the pineal gland and its hormone-melatonin-as to the impact of vasopressin (VP) and/or oxytocin (OT) on the regulation of behavior was studied, the passive avoidance task being chosen as an experimental model. The results showed that VP facilitated the avoidance latency during the first retention trial; after pinealectomy, however, VP was ineffective in this regard. Intraperitoneal application of OT was ineffective in modifying the passive avoidance latency when compared with respective saline-treated animals.

Development and characteristics of a synovial-like interface membrane around cemented tibial hemiarthroplasties in a novel rat model of aseptic prosthesis loosening.

Objective: Aseptic prosthesis loosening (APL) is related to the formation and aggressive growth of a synovial-like interface membrane (SLIM) between prosthesis and bone. However, investigation of the early phases of SLIM development in humans presents major difficulties. This study was undertaken to develop and characterize the usefulness of a novel animal model of APL that is based on an established model of defined exercise in a running wheel by Wistar rats that have been subjected to intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS).

[Joint loading as a possible etiology for arthrosis development. Results of animal experiment studies of the rat model].

We review our results with an animal model for investigations on the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This model is based on running exercises of wistar rats performed in a running wheel using intracranial self-stimulation to motivate rats to excessive running. In our studies a total of 49 rats was divided into groups with running exercises of 15 km, 20 km, and 30 km respectively.

Central vasopressin administration failed to influence anxiety behavior after pinealectomy in rats.

Experiments were performed to measure the influence of centrally applied arginine vasopressin (AVP) on anxiety-related behavior in pinealectomized (PE) rats and sham-operated (SO) controls. In the PE animals, microdialysis application of 200 pg AVP into the mediolateral septum, as well as intracerebroventricular administration of 10 ng AVP, failed to influence anxiety-related behavior measured in the elevated plus-maze test. However, in SO animals, the percentage of time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus-maze was found to be higher in both experiments.

Increased plasma ACTH in rats exposed to the elevated plus-maze is independent of the pineal gland.

The involvement of the pineal gland in activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis evoked by a stressful stimulus (exposure to the elevated plus-maze) was investigated. Plasma ACTH levels were measured in pinealectomized and pineal-intact rats (sham-operated and non-operated) immediately after a 5 min placement into a plus-maze. A statistically significant elevation in plasma ACTH was measured within all groups; however, no statistical differences between pinealectomized and pineal-intact rats were observed.

The effect of combined oestrogen and progesterone replacement on the renal responses to oxytocin and vasopressin in ovariectomized rats.

Objective: Renal responsiveness to the neurohypophyseal hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, has been shown in the rat to vary during pregnancy and lactation. A study was performed to determine whether ovarian steroids could contribute to the observed changes.

Design: Using a previously validated method, fluid excretion during infusion of oxytocin or vasopressin was monitored in ovariectomized animals with and without chronic administration of oestrogen and progesterone.

[Deterioration of sensory joint innervation as an enabling factor for development of arthrosis. An animal experiment study of the rat model].

In the present study we investigated the influence of an altered sensible joint innervation on the development of knee osteoarthritis in a wistar rat model of osteoarthritis. Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-noneamide) mediated partial sensible knee joint denervation was performed in a group of 16 male wistar rats. Twelve rats without alterations of the sensible knee joint innervation served as controls.

Septal vasopressin modulates motility and passive avoidance in pinealectomized rats.

Experiments were performed to investigate the role of central arginine vasopressin (AVP) in an interrelationship with the pineal gland on motility and passive avoidance response in rats. The involvement of the pineal gland in behavioral paradigms was examined using pinealectomized (PE) and pineal-intact (sham-operated and nonoperated) animals. Central administration of 200 pg AVP or 40 ng of the AVP receptor antagonist, d(CH2)sThyr(Et)VAVP (AAVP) was performed into the mediolateral septum by means of microdialysis probes.

Differential behavioral effects of TFF peptides: injections of synthetic TFF3 into the rat amygdala.

TFF peptides (formerly named P-domain peptides or trefoil factors) are also released from the brain as well as being secreted typically by mucin producing cells. The amygdala, besides the hypothalamus, represents a defined neuronal locality of TFF3 synthesis. In a passive avoidance test synthetic TFF3/monomer or 0.

Vasopressin administration modulates anxiety-related behavior in rats.

Experiments were performed to measure the influence of centrally and peripherally applied arginine vasopressin (AVP) on anxiety-related behavior as indicated by the elevated plus maze test. Central administration was performed into the septum using a microdialysis technique. In initial experiments, the microdialysis probes were characterized for substance application in vivo by means of 125I AVP, measuring the substance-specific percent passover and the spatial distribution around the microdialysis membrane within the brain.

Development of osteoarthritis in the knee joints of Wistar rats after strenuous running exercise in a running wheel by intracranial self-stimulation.

The influence of excessive running load on the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Running exercises were performed in a running wheel using intracranial self-stimulation to motivate Wistar rats to run daily distances of 500 m at 5 days/week. Hereby, ten rats ran a distance of 15 km within three weeks while a further ten rats run a total of 30 km within six weeks.

Effects of methylphenidate on oxytocin and vasopressin levels in pinealectomized rats during light-dark cycle.

Although previous reports have shown that methylphenidate (MPH), in addition to its known behavioral effect, can influence the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis by increasing the plasma ACTH, the pineal gland seems to be involved in neuroendocrinological processes too, e.g., in hypothalamic synthesis and release of oxytocin (OXY) and vasopressin (AVP).

Effect of pinealectomy and melatonin on vasopressin-potentiated passive avoidance in rats.

The pineal indoleamine, melatonin, and the hypothalamic neuropeptide, vasopressin, facilitate passive avoidance behaviour in rats. The similarity of the effects suggest that interaction might occur between the two substances. Therefore, the effect of intraperitoneally applied vasopressin and/or melatonin on one-trial learning passive avoidance behaviour was studied in pinealectomized rats.

Intracerebroventricular but not intraperitoneal administration of aluminum attenuates vasopressin-enhanced retrieval of a passive avoidance task in rats.

We studied the influence of single intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) injections of the neurotoxin aluminum on the retrieval of a passive avoidance task in rats and on the vasopressin-evoked improvement of the recall of the task. It was found that ICV administration of the metal alone strongly decreases the retention time of a passive avoidance task, whereas IP application of aluminum prolongs it. Vasopressin given ICV and IP leads to an enhancement of retrieval (prolongation of the retention time).

Effect of perinatal dexamethasone treatment on conditioned taste aversion in rats.

Effect of perinatal dex Rats received a single subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg dexamethasone at the age of seven days. One hundred days after the treatment, conditioned taste aversion was determined in the adult animals. Perinatally applied dexamethasone did not affect water consumption but caused a significant attenuation of conditioned taste aversion.

Increased locomotor activity of rats by self-stimulation in a running wheel.

A method was developed in which the intracranial self-stimulation of rats was dependent on their locomotor activity. During each rotation of a running wheel (= 0.75 m), six stimulus trains were administered via electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle.

Intracerebroventricular administration of insulin attenuates retrieval of a passive avoidance response in rats.

The effect of intracerebroventricularly applied insulin on one-trial learning passive avoidance behaviour has been studied in rats. Treatment with 10.3 pmole insulin 1 hr before the 24 hr retention test attenuated passive avoidance behaviour at both the 24 hr and 48 hr retention trials.

Measurement of septal release of vasopressin and oxytocin by the push-pull technique following electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus of rats.

The release of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) within the septum was studied with the push-pull perfusion technique in 6 conscious, freely behaving male rats. Push-pull perfusion was performed via a chronically implanted cannula and samples collected for 3 consecutive 30-min periods. Stimulating electrodes were implanted in both the left and right paraventricular nuclei 4 days before the experiment.

Central and peripheral release of vasopressin and oxytocin in the conscious rat after osmotic stimulation.

Vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) were measured by radioimmunoassay in push-pull perfusates and tissue samples of various brain areas, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of male rats in response to osmotic stimulation. Hypertonic saline caused a significant rise in plasma AVP and OXT and different changes in peptide contents, in the septum and hippocampus at 30 and 60 min after intraperitoneal injection. Push-pull perfusion (20 microliters artificial CSF/min, 30-min periods) of the septum and dorsal hippocampus of conscious, unrestrained animals revealed a significant, stimulus-evoked release of both AVP and OXT.