Browsing by Subject "Rodents"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Complementary research models and methods to study axonal regeneration in the vertebrate retinofugal system
    (Springer, 2018) Bollaerts, Ilse; Veys, Lien; Geeraerts, Emiel; Andries, Lien; De Groef, Lies; Buyens, Tom; Moons, Lieve; Van Hove, Inge; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología
    Due to the lack of axonal regeneration, age-related deterioration in the central nervous system (CNS) poses a significant burden on the wellbeing of a growing number of elderly. To overcome this regenerative failure and to improve the patient’s life quality, the search for novel regenerative treatment strategies requires valuable (animal) models and techniques. As an extension of the CNS, the retinofugal system, consisting of retinal ganglion cells that send their axons along the optic nerve to the visual brain areas, has importantly contributed to the current knowledge on mechanisms underlying the restricted regenerative capacities and to the development of novel strategies to enhance axonal regeneration. It provides an extensively used research tool, not only in amniote vertebrates including rodents, but also in anamniote vertebrates, such as zebrafish. Indeed, the latter show robust regeneration capacities, thereby providing insights into the factors that contribute to axonal regrowth and proper guidance, complementing studies in mammals. This review provides an integrative and critical overview of the classical and state-of-the-art models and methods that have been employed in the retinofugal system to advance our knowledge on the signaling pathways underlying the restricted versus robust axonal regeneration in rodents and zebrafish, respectively. In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models and techniques to improve the visualization and analysis of regenerating axons are summarized. As such, the retinofugal system is presented as a valuable model to further facilitate research on axonal regeneration and to open novel therapeutic avenues for CNS pathologies.
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    Habituation Training Improves Locomotor Performance in a Forced Running Wheel System in Rats
    (Frontiers Media, 2017-03) Toval, Angel; Baños, Raúl; Morales-Delgado, Nicanor; Ayad, Abdelmalik; Tseng, Kuei Y.; Cruz Sánchez, Ernesto de la; García Pallarés, Jesús; Ferrán Bertone, José Luis; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología
    Increasing evidence supports that physical activity promotes mental health; and regular exercise may confer positive effects in neurological disorders. There is growing number of reports that requires the analysis of the impact of physical activity in animal models. Exercise in rodents can be performed under voluntary or forced conditions. The former presents the disadvantage that the volume and intensity of exercise varies from subject to subject. On the other hand, a major challenge of the forced training protocol is the low level of performance typically achieved within a given session. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of gradual increasing of the volume and intensity (training habituation protocol) to improve the locomotor performance in a forced running-wheel system in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a group that received an exercise training habituation protocol, or a control group. The locomotor performance during forced running was assessed by an incremental exercise test. The experimental results reveal that the total running time and the distance covered by habituated rats was significantly higher than in control ones. We conclude that the exercise habituation protocol improves the locomotor performance in forced running wheels.
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    Inventory and distribution of the rodents in Aurès Mountains and Ziban oasis (Northeast of Algeria)
    (Murcia: Servicio de publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia, 2018) Drouai, Hakim; Belhamra, Mohammed; Mimeche, Fateh
    Our study presents an inventory of rodents in Northeast of Algeria. The species were captured at two regions: Taouziant (Aurès Montain) and Bouchagroune (Ziban oasis). The sampling period takes ten months at each site: in Taouziant between February to November 2014 and in Bouchagroune, from September 2013 to June 2014. The method of trapping online was performed using 40 wire traps installed at the studied regions. Eight species were captured. They belong to three subfamilies and six genera. Three species occur in the two regions: Rattus rattus, Mus musculus and Gerbillus amoenus. Three species were captured in Taouziant cereal fields ( Rattus norvegicus, Meriones shawii and Jaculus jaculus) and two species were found in Bouchagroune palm grove (Psammomys obesus and Gerbillus gerbillus).