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P Tóth

Publications and source records attributed to P Tóth.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Distribution of proneuropeptide Y-derived peptides in the brain of Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis.

The distribution of proneuropeptide Y-containing perikarya and nerve fibers in the brain of Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis was determined with antisera directed toward neuropeptide Y and the carboxyl terminal flanking peptide. The distribution of proneuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity was similar in both anurans. In the telencephalon, immunoreactive perikarya were found in the olfactory bulb, all subdivisions of the pallium, the septum, pars lateralis of the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens, and the anterior preoptic area. In the diencephalon, labelled perikarya were detected in the ventromedial, ventrolateral and central thalamic nuclei, the magnocellular preoptic nucleus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the posterior tuberculum, and the infundibulum. Amacrine-like cells were stained in the retina. In the pretectal area, posterior thalamic neurons showed intense, Golgi-like immunostaining. In the mesencephalon, immunoreactive cells were found in the reticular nucleus, the anteroventral tegmental nucleus, the optic tectum, the interpeduncular nucleus, and the torus semicircularis. In the rhombencephalon, labelled perikarya were detected in the secondary visceral nucleus, the central gray, the nucleus of the solitary tract, the dorsal column nuclei, and the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. Immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in all areas of the brain that contained labelled perikarya. The densest accumulations were found in the accessory olfactory bulb, pars lateralis of the amygdala, the ventral habenula, the posterior pituitary, the optic tectum, the interpeduncular nucleus, and the saccular nucleus. The distribution of proneuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the anuran brain showed many similarities to the distribution described for the amniote brain.

Animals↗

Retinal projections in the cane toad, Bufo marinus.

The location and extent of retinorecipient areas in the cane toad, Bufo marinus, were established by anterograde transport of cobaltic-lysine complex from the cut optic nerve. Most of the labeled optic axons travelled in the marginal optic tract, while others were in the axial optic tract, and/or the basal optic tract. Retinal projections terminated in both contralateral and ipsilateral targets. In addition to the optic tectum, the main visual center, retinorecipient areas included the suprachiasmatic nucleus, rostral visual nucleus, neuropil of Bellonci, corpus geniculatum thalamicum, ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (dorsal part), posterior thalamic neuropil, uncinate neuropil, pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali and basal optic nucleus. While all of these retinorecipient areas receive optic fibers from both eyes, the ipsilateral retinal projections were observed to be generally sparser than those from the contralateral retina. A sparse optic fiber projection covers the surface of the ipsilateral optic tectum and is most prominent rostromedially and caudolaterally. The position and the extent of each of the retinorecipient areas were determined in relation to a three-dimensional coordinate system. Morphometric analysis showed that 85.3% of the retinorecipient area is in the contralateral optic tectum, 10.4% in contralateral non-tectal areas, 1.6% in the ipsilateral optic tectum and 2.7% in ipsilateral non-tectal areas. The presence of an ipsilateral tectal projection and the well defined pretectal visual neuropil complex may be related to the highly developed visual behavior and visual acuity of Bufo marinus.

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Distribution of galanin-like immunoreactivity in the brain of Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis.

The immunocytochemical distribution of galanin-containing perikarya and nerve terminals in the brain of Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis was determined with antisera directed toward either porcine or rat galanin. The pattern of galanin-like immunoreactivity appeared to be identical with antisera directed toward either target antigen. The distribution of galanin-like immunoreactivity was similar in Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis except for the absence of a distinct laminar distribution of immunoreactivity in the optic tectum of Xenopus laevis. Galanin-containing perikarya were located in all major subdivisions of the brain except the metencephalon. In the telencephalon, immunoreactive perikarya were detected in the pars medialis of the amygdala and the preoptic area. In the diencephalon, immunoreactive perikarya were detected in the caudal half of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the nucleus of the periventricular organ, the ventral hypothalamus, and the median eminence. In the mesencephalon, immunoreactive perikarya were detected near the midline of the rostroventral tegmentum, in the torus semicircularis and, occasionally, in lamina A and layer 6 of the optic tectum. In the myelencephalon, labelled perikarya were detected only in the caudal half of the nucleus of the solitary tract. Immunoreactive nerve fibers of varying density were observed in all subdivisions of the brain with the densest accumulations of fibers occurring in the pars lateralis of the amygdala and the preoptic area. Dense accumulations of nerve fibers were also found in the lateral septum, the medial forebrain bundle, the periventricular region of the diencephalon, the ventral hypothalamus, the median eminence, the mesencephalic central gray, the laminar nucleus of the torus semicircularis, several laminae of the optic tectum, the interpeduncular nucleus, the isthmic nucleus, the central gray of the rhombencephalon, and the dorsolateral caudal medulla. The extensive system of galanin-containing perikarya and nerve fibers in the brain of representatives of two families of anurans showed many similarities to the distribution of galanin-containing perikarya and nerve fibers previously described for the mammalian brain.

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Conditions for recognition of a physical space as two compartments by the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis, Pisces, Anabantidae).

By using a series of aquaria which were more or less separated into two compartments by a "gate" made of plastic or glass strips, we studied how paradise fish changed their patterns of movement relative to the nature of the gates. We found that opaque plastic gates were well recognized by the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) even if the strips were very thin, but that they only changed their pattern of movement when the strips exceeded a certain width. Thus, paradise fish appear to be able to distinguish a physical space of the same size as consisting of either one or two compartments, depending on the material (transparency) and width of the dividing strips.

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Morphological classification and retinal distribution of large ganglion cells in the retina of Bufo marinus.

The retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and cobaltic-lysine complex (CLC) was used to morphologically characterize large ganglion cells (GCs) and to determine their distribution in retinal wholemounts and in sectioned material in the retina of Bufo marinus. Large GCs, amounting to about 0.5% of total GC population, were defined to be those with very large dendritic field sizes varying between 0.1 mm2 to 0.6 mm2 and cell soma sizes of between 100 microns 2 to 400 microns 2. These cells were subdivided into 3 major groups, Types I, II and III, on the basis of their dendritic field sizes, aborization patterns and the strata of dendritic branching within the inner plexiform layer (IPL). The majority of large neurons (about 90%) were classified as Type I GCs with symmetrical dendritic arbor. These cells had either bistratified branching in the scleral and vitreal sublamina of the IPL (65% of Type I Cells) or unistratified branching in the scleral (26%) or in the vitreal (9%) sublamina. Their dendritic field sizes increased linearly from the retinal centre from 0.13 mm +/- 0.02 mm2 (mean and S.D.) to 0.58 +/- 0.11 mm2 in the retinal periphery. Type II GCs (about 9% of large GC population) were characterized by an asymmetrical dendritic aborization directed towards the ciliary margin with unistratified branching in the scleral sublamina of the IPL. The mean dendritic field sizes of these cells were 0.26 +/- 0.09 mm2. Type III GCs, the least frequent (about 1%) category of large GCs had sparsely branching, elongated dendritic branching aligned approximately parallel with the nasotemporal axis of the retina. The unistratified dendritic branches of these neurons were located in the vitreal sublamina of the IPL with a mean dendritic field size of 0.42 +/- 0.11 mm2. The dendritic field sizes of Types II and III GCs did not increase with retinal eccentricity. Type I GCs were distributed unevenly across the retina, the density being greatest in the visual streak, along the nasotemporal meridian of the retina. The dendritic field sizes of these cells increased towards the retinal periphery, resulting in a constant dendritic field coverage factor across the retina. Each retinal point was covered by the dendritic fields of 4-5 adjacent GCs. In contrast, Types II and III GCs had only discontinuous dendritic coverage. The identification of morphological types of large GCs with previously described functional classes of GCs in the anuran retina is discussed.

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Alpha-fetoprotein in vaginal fluids. The early diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes.

Alpha-fetoprotein, one of the most characteristic proteins of pregnancy, is present in the amniotic fluid during the whole period of pregnancy. In the case of premature rupture of the membranes it is appearing in the vaginal fluid. The level of AFP was measured by the ELISA technique in the vaginal fluid of pregnant women. In 70 cases of the rupture of membranes and in 33 cases of splitting of the membranes the AFP was measurable in the vaginal fluid and it was not detectable in 31 cases of urine and in 16 cases of vaginal fluids of pregnant women without any sign of premature rupture of the membranes.

Biomarkers↗

Biomechanical properties of canine vertebral and internal carotid arteries.

In order to understand the participation of the geometrical and elastic properties of the large cerebral arteries in the maintenance of brain circulatory homeostasis, biomechanical properties of isolated internal carotid artery (extracranial part) and vertebral artery (intrathoracic part) were investigated both in a relaxed and in an activated (3x 10(-6) mol.l-1 norepinephrine) state of the smooth muscle. Quasi-static large deformation mechanical test was carried out by means of changing the intraluminal pressure slowly (2.5 mmHg.sec-1) and cyclicly in a range of 0-250 mmHg at in vivo length while external diameter was recorded continuously as a function of the intraluminal pressure. Maximum active tangential strain was found to be -2.7 +/- 1.6% at 70 mmHg for the internal carotid artery, and -5.9 +/- 1.1% at 100 mmHg for the vertebral artery. Incremental elastic modulus decreased and distensibility increased in both arteries following smooth muscle activation, these alterations, however, were larger in the case of the vertebral artery. A U-shaped characteristic impedance of vertebral artery was found both in relaxed and in constricted states of this vessel. Minimum values for the relaxed and the activated segments were found at 90 mmHg and 120 mmHg, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that certain biomechanical properties of the large arteries, like impedance, can be regarded as controlled variables that may contribute to the optimization of circulatory functions.

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Biplexiform ganglion cells in the retina of Xenopus laevis.

A few cells were seen on retinal wholemounts of Xenopus frogs whose dendrites branched in both the inner and the outer plexiform layers after the application of retrograde tracers to the cut optic nerve. The somas of these cells were displaced into the inner nuclear layer of the retina, and occasionally in orthotopic position. These observations provide convincing evidence that previously described biplexiform cells are ganglion cells and that these cells are regular components of the vertebrate retina.

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Retino-retinal projections in three anuran species.

In juvenile and adult Xenopus laevis, in adult Bufo marinus and Rana esculenta frogs retino-retinal projections were traced by filling the central stump of one optic nerve, cut 2-3 mm from the eye, with horse-radish peroxidase (HRP) or cobaltic-lysine complex (CLC). The presence of retino-retinal projections was confirmed in all 3 species both in the juvenile and the adult. Up to 12 ganglion cells per retina were found to be filled retrogradely with HRP together with optic axons filled anterogradely with CLC. These findings suggest that (1) a small proportion of ganglion cells project, erroneously, to the opposite retina and (2) this erroneous retino-retinal projection persists throughout the whole lifespan of the animals.

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Retinal ganglion cell death induced by unilateral tectal ablation in Xenopus.

The survival of retinal ganglion cells (GCs) in the left eye was studied on retinal wholemounts from 2-33 weeks after the surgical removal of the right tectum in juvenile Xenopus. Two to five weeks after tectal removal, about 76% of neurons of the retinal ganglion cell (GC) layer showed signs of retrograde degeneration: swelling of their somata and chromatolysis. Neurons that were not affected by the operation were taken to be either displaced amacrine cells (DAs) or GCs not projecting to the tectum. A portion of GCs showing retrograde degeneration became pyknotic and died within the period of 2-16 weeks after operation. Counts of surviving GCs 20-33 weeks after tectal removal amounted to about 55% of the corresponding neuron number in the right intact retina of the same animal. No discernible GC loss was observed in animals where only the optic fibers were cut at their entry point to the tectum indicating that axotomy alone, followed by rapid regrowth to the target, does not adversely influence the survival of GCs. In long-surviving animals, the left optic nerve was exposed to cobaltic-lysine complex and the position of filled optic axons within the brain determined. Optic axons whose tectal target had been removed were seen to cross over to the left intact tectum via the posterior and pretectal commissures. Aberrant projections were detected to the ipsilateral tectum and the diencephalic periventricular grey in addition to an increased projection to the accessory optic nucleus. It is concluded that the removal of the tectum, the main target of optic fiber projection, induces a very substantial GC death. Since only a portion of optic fibers were able to grow to alternative targets, the surviving GCs may have also included those with main projection areas to the diencephalic visual centers.

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The morphological characterization and distribution of displaced ganglion cells in the anuran retina.

The number, dendritic morphology, and retinal distribution of displaced ganglion cells were studied in two anuran species, Xenopus laevis and Bufo marinus. Horseradish peroxidase or cobaltic lysine complex was applied to the cut end of the optic nerve, and the size, shape, and retinal position of retrogradely filled ganglion cells displaced into the inner nuclear layer were determined in retinal wholemount and sectioned material. Approximately 1% of ganglion cells in Xenopus and 0.1% in Bufo were found to be displaced. In both species, many of the previously described orthotopic ganglion cell types (Straznicky & Straznicky, 1988; Straznicky et al., 1990) were present among displaced ganglion cells. In Xenopus more displaced ganglion cells were found in the retinal periphery than in the retinal center, and they formed 3 or 4 distinct bands around the optic nerve head. In Bufo the incidence of displaced ganglion cells was higher along the visual streak than in the dorsal and ventral peripheral retina. These results indicate that the distribution of displaced ganglion cells approximates the retinal distribution of orthotopic ganglion cells. One of the likely mechanisms to account for this developmental paradox may be that the formation of the inner plexiform layer, adjacent to the ciliary margin, acts as a mechanical barrier by preventing the entry of some of the late developing ganglion cells into the ganglion cell layer.

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Dendritic morphology of identified retinal ganglion cells in Xenopus laevis: a comparison between the results of horseradish peroxidase and cobaltic-lysine retrograde labelling.

Following the application either of cobaltic-lysine complex or a 30% solution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in a sealed tube to the cut end of the optic nerve of young adult Xenopus frogs, the dendritic morphology of large ganglion cells was studied in retinal wholemount preparations, and compared with that in animals of the same size as revealed by the short time administration of HRP crystals. In the former two groups of animals, after 24 h survival, the size of the dendritic arborization of characterized ganglion cell types, Types I and III, were found to be significantly larger (61-79% and 180-187%, respectively) than those which survived 3 days after the administration of HRP crystals. These findings suggest that the very fine dendritic branches of large ganglion cells may remain unlabelled after a short-time exposure to HRP.

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Neuronal pathways involved in the optokinetic head nystagmus of the frog.

The morphology of projection neurons in the basal optic nucleus and the pretectal area and the interconnections of these brain regions were studied with the aid of the cobalt-filling technique. It was found that the nucleus-sends long descending axons to the medullary reticular formation. The two basal optic nuclei are reciprocally interconnected and do not give a direct descending pathway. The pretectal nuclei and the basal optic nucleus are also reciprocally coupled. It is supposed that the described pathways mediate commands for horizontal and vertical nystagmic head movements.

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Effect of the components of the physical environment on escape behaviour of the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis).

Physical features of a seminatural environment on provoking various defence behaviour elements of the paradise fish were studied. It was found that most escape behaviour forms were under the control of visual stimuli. Transparent physical space induced escape and inhibited jumping. While the latter was induced by the presence of vertical untransparent surfaces. Dark places usually were avoided by the paradise fish. Placed into an unfamiliar environment in the presence of different escape routes the paradise fish seemed to make decisions after careful comparison of alternatives.

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