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Ex Vivo Produced Oral Mucosa Equivalent Preliminary Report: A Technical Note, Gürkan Raşi̇t Bayar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to produce of ex vivo oral mucosal equivalent. The continuous stratified layer of human oral keratinocytes was grown on a cadaveric human dermal matrix in a defined culture medium without a feeder layer. Materials and methods: Human oral keratinocytes from a keratinized oral mucosa biopsy specimen were enzymatically dissociated and cultured in a serum-free defined culture medium, "EpiLife" (Cascade Biologics, Portland, OR, USA), containing a low calcium concentration of 0.06 mM. Oral keratinocytes were expanded one passage. Once a sufficient population of keratinocytes was reached, they were seeded onto the type IV collagen coated …

Evaluation Of Rubella, Toxoplasma Gondii, And Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalences Among Pregnant Women In Denizli Province, Aysun Karabulut, Yusuf Polat, Meral Türk, Yasemi̇n Işik Balci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

There is no national screening program for rubella, Toxoplasma gondii, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections for pregnant women in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of these infections among pregnant women in Denizli province, and to review seroprevalences reported from different regions of Turkey. Materials and methods: Between April 2008 and April 2009, 1268 women were investigated for rubella, 1102 for toxoplasma, and 1000 women for CMV seroprevalences in the first trimester of pregnancy. Toxoplasma and rubella IgM and IgG antibodies were assayed by the automated Vitros ECiQ system based on an immunometric technique. Cytomegalovirus IgM …

Assessment Of The Findings On The Existence Of Complications In Brucellosis, Cemal Bulut, Meltem Arzu Yetki̇n, Gülruhsar Yilmaz, Fatma Şebnem Erdi̇nç, Çi̇ğdem Ataman Hati̇poğlu, Sami̇ Kinikli, Behi̇ç Oral, Necla Tülek, Ali̇ Pekcan Demi̇röz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Brucellosis is a prevalent disease in Turkey. The object of this study was to assess the findings in brucellosis cases with and without complications. Materials and methods: A total of 324 patients diagnosed with brucellosis between 1999 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of brucellosis was established serologically and/or by positivite blood culture. Epidemiologic features, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings of the patients were assessed in both complicated and noncomplicated brucellosis cases by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.0 ± 18.3 years (range 15-83 years). In addition, 56% of the patients were male. …

Prevalence Of Cutaneous Mycoses Among Workers, Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi, Baharea Izadi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of cutaneous mycoses in workers employed in different areas of the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: In the present study 128 employees who held different positions (gardeners, lab cleaners, sanitary workers, repair workers, dishwashers, and cooks) at the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences were studied. All workers were visited by a physician and 34 (26.6%) were suspected of having cutaneous fungal diseases. Several skin scraping and nail clipping samples were collected from the study participants. In addition, the Scotch Tape method was used for sampling …

Potential Role Of Some Nutraceuticals In The Regression Of Alzheimer’S Disease In An Experimental Animal Model, Hanaa Hamdy Ahmed, Wafaa Ghoneim Shousha, Rehab Mahmoud Hussien, Abdel Razik Hussein Farrag

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential role of some nutraceuticals, coenzyme Q_{10}, vitamin B complex, and lecithin against aluminum-induced neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Materials and methods: Ninety-six male and female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 main groups, namely female and male. Each group was divided into 6 subgroups. Group 1 served as control group. Group 2 was administered AlCl_3 for 4 months. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were administered with AlCl_3 for 4 months then treated with Coenzyme Q_{10}, vitamin B complex, lecithin, or all in combination for 3 months, respectively. Brain …

Human Brucellosis In Turkey: A Review Of The Literature Between 1990 And 2009, Şebnem Çalik, Ayşe Deni̇z Gökengi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Brucellosis is a systemic infection, which may involve any organ or system of the body. The aim of this study was a review of the literature related to human brucellosis in Turkey. Materials and methods: In order to find the published reports on this subject, 3 national databases (TÜBİTAK-ULAKBİM Turkish Medical Literature database, http://www.turkishmedline.com, http://medline.pleksus.com.tr) and 2 international databases [Index Medicus and Science Citation Index (SCI)-expanded] were searched. In addition to the databases, abstracts of congresses held by the Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association and the Antibiotic and Chemotherapy Association were searched for reports about brucellosis. Results: The …

Piracetam Reverses Haloperidol-Induced Catalepsy In Mice, Omar Abdel Salam, Somaia Nada

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the memory-enhancing drugs piracetam, vinpocetine, and ginkgo biloba for their ability to reduce catalepsy in mice treated with haloperidol. Haloperidol is a classic neuroleptic drug that induces motor abnormalities and cognitive impairment due to a blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum. Materials and methods: Catalepsy was induced by intraperitoneal haloperidol (2 mg/kg) administration. The drugs being tested were either administered intraperitoneally (IP) along with the dosage of haloperidol or 30 min prior to the introduction of the haloperidol. Catalepsy was measured using the bar test. Results: The administration of haloperidol (2 mg/kg, IP) resulted in significant …

Taurine Is Protective Against Oxidative Stress During Cold Ischemia In The Rat Kidney, Rüveyda İrem Demi̇rci̇oğlu, Burhanetti̇n Usta, Hüseyi̇n Sert, Bünyami̇n Muslu, Muhammet Gözdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Recent studies in rats have shown that taurine can prevent oxidative changes induced in renal tissue by ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether taurine can prevent oxidative changes that occur in the renal tissue during a long period of cold ischemia. Materials and methods: Oxidative changes were evaluated histologically and biochemically in kidneys from a total of 40 rats, which were assigned to 1 of 4 groups of 10 rats each: control group (no taurine given, kidneys evaluated immediately after removal), taurine group (as in the control group, except that taurine was given …

The Effects Of Local Anaesthesia With Bupivacaine And Botulinum Toxin-A After Thoracotomy On Stress Hormone Levels, Makbule Ergi̇n, Ali̇ Yegi̇nsu, İsmai̇l Kürşat Gürlek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effects of local and systemic analgesics on stress hormone levels, which increase after thoracotomy. Materials and methods: Sixty-three male rats were divided into 9 groups (n = 7). In the control animals, only a blood sample was taken. In the thoracotomy group, a retractor was inserted for 1 h. In the local anaesthesia group, intercostal nerve block was performed with bupivacaine or botulinum toxin-A. In the systemic analgesia group, blockade was performed with bupivacaine and diclofenac sodium was given intraperitoneally. Blood samples were taken twice 4 h and 24 h after thoracotomy. Results: At 4 h, stress …

The Prevalence Of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, And Eczema Among Middle School Students In Tabriz (Northwestern Iran), Leyla Sahebi, Mahnaz Sadeghi Shabestary

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the prevalence of atopic syndrome and the associated risk factors among middle school students. Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema have an extensive epidemiologic diversity in various geographic areas. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1508 students in the city of Tabriz (a northwestern Turkish-populated region of Iran) in 2009. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: The prevalence of cumulative and periodic wheezing and diagnosed asthma was 3.7%, 2.9%, and 2%, respectively. The diagnosed prevalence of cumulative and …

A Quantitative Appraisal Of The Genuine Contribution Of Turkey And Turkish Universities To Science, Altan Onat

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To assess quantitatively the cumulative and genuine contribution of Turkish universities to science in the main fields over the past 30 years. Materials and methods: In the Citation Reports section of the Web of Science, over 70 main scientific institutions were searched; and publications that received 60 or more citations by May 2010 were selected. Papers having more than a minor share by international authors were excluded. Results: Only 47 universities and 6 institutions generated articles that were cited >-60 times. These publications, numbering 541, received a total of 51.215 citations. Eight universities (İstanbul University, İstanbul Technical University, Hacettepe University, …

An Investigation Of Changes In Ocular Blood Flow In Rabbits With Long-Term Hyperhomocysteinemia Using Color Doppler Ultrasonography, Fi̇gen Nari̇n, Abdulhaki̇m Coşkun, Nazmi̇ Nari̇n, Ali̇ Baykan, Sertaç Hanedan Onan, Abdulkeri̇m Coşkun, Muammer Hakan Poyrazoğlu, Ruşen Erez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced in rabbits using methionine. Ocular blood flow changes were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Materials and methods: Fifty New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups. Groups 1-4 received one of the following chemicals: methionine only, methionine plus vitamin B6, methionine plus vitamin B12, or methionine plus folic acid. Controls received no chemicals. Serum homocysteine levels were measured on treatment days 1 and 60. Orbital vessels were examined by CDU on day 60. Results: In the 4 study groups, homocysteine levels were significantly elevated on day 60 compared to the levels on day 1 (P < 0.05). Elevations of homocysteine levels in group 1 were greater than those of groups 2 and 4 on day 60 (P < 0.05). When results of ocular blood flow changes were compared, no statistically significant difference was found based on flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery. Measurements from the ciliary artery revealed a statistically significant decrease in flow velocity in the study groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Using CDU, we found that flow velocities in the ciliary artery were decreased. This condition is attributed to atherosclerotic and thromboembolic alterations of the ocular vessels due to hyperhomocysteinemia.

Histological Changes In The Healing Process Of Sclerotomy Sites After 20-Gauge And Transconjunctival 23- And 25-Gauge Incisions In Experimental Model*, Ni̇lüfer Koçak, Banu Lebe, Özlem Barut Selver, Mehmet Özgür Zengi̇n, Süleyman Kaynak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the healing mechanism and histological changes of the 20-gauge standard, and 23- and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) incisions in rabbits. Materials and methods: Twelve of 16 albino rabbits’ right eyes underwent sclerotomy of either 20-gauge standard, or 23-gauge or 25-gauge TSV incisions. Four rabbits were tested as controls. The study eyes were examined clinically on the first postoperative day and in 3-day periods for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, rabbits were euthanized; globes were enucleated and underwent histological examination. The sclerotomy sites were investigated histopathologically under light microscope for wound healing semicantitatively. Results: Pathological sections were examined …

Protective Activity Of The Methanol Extract Of Usnea Longissima Against Oxidative Damage And Genotoxicity Caused By Aflatoxin B_1 In Vitro, Güleray Ağar, Ali̇ Aslan, Eli̇f Kotan Sarioğlu, Lokman Alpsoy, Selçuk Çeker

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effects of methanol extracts obtained from Usnea longissima (UME) on the genotoxicity and oxidative stress of aflatoxin B_1 (AFB_1) in cultured human blood cells. Materials and methods: Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) tests were used for estimation of genotoxic influences. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also measured to evaluate the antioxidative effect of UME. Results: In the SCE and MN test systems, it was observed that UME suppressed the mutagenic effects of AFB_1. Furthermore, an increase of MDA level and a decrease of SOD and …

Neurological Presentations Of Nutritional Vitamin B12 Deficiency In 42 Breastfed Infants In Southeast Turkey, Mustafa Taşkesen, Ahmet Yaramiş, Selahatti̇n Katar, Ayfer Gözü Pi̇ri̇nççi̇oğlu, Murat Söker

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency is common in developing and underdeveloped countries and has a wide variety of neurological presentations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neurological characteristics and laboratory results of infants with vitamin B12 deficiency. Materials and methods: A total of 42 infants were included in this study. All patients were evaluated for clinical, physical, and neurological abnormalities, and an attempt was made to obtain short-term neurologic follow-up. Results: Of 42 patients, 24 (57%) were boys and 18 (43%) were girls. The average age at diagnosis was 13.04 ± 5.68 months. Most of these infants were …

The Second Step In Vitro Trial Of Ankaferd® Bloodstopper®: Comparison With Other Hemostatic Agents, Emre Huri̇, Kadi̇r Turgay Akgül, Mehmet Özgür Yücel, Hesna Müzeyyen Astarci, Hüseyi̇n Üstün, Rüştü Cankon Germi̇yanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the efficacy of Ankaferd Bloodstopper (ABS) and compare ABS with the other hemostatic agents still used in urologic surgery. Materials and methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: Group T (traditional), partial nephrectomy (PN) with hilar control as per the conventional technique; Group G (Glubran 2), conventional PN followed by the application of Glubran 2; Group F (FloSeal), FloSeal application to the resected area of the kidney; Group C (Celox), Celox was applied; Group A (ABS), Ankaferd was used. Warm ischemia time (WIT) and hemostasis time (HT) were recorded and histopathologic features were compared among the …

Tca Cycle Inactivation In Staphylococcus Aureus Alters Nitric Oxide Production In Raw 264.7 Cells, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Arunakumar Gangaplara, Donald J. Gardner, James M. Musser, David J. Steffen, Greg A. Somerville, Jay Reddy

Jay Reddy Publications

Inactivation of the Staphylococcus aureus tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle delays the resolution of cutaneous ulcers in a mouse soft tissue infection model. In this study, it was observed that cutaneous lesions in mice infected with wild-type or isogenic aconitase mutant S. aureus strains contained comparable inflammatory infiltrates, suggesting the delayed resolution was independent of the recruitment of immune cells. These observations led us to hypothesize that staphylococcal metabolism can modulate the host immune response. Using an in vitro model system involving RAW 264.7 cells, the authors observed that cells cultured with S. aureus aconitase mutant strains produced significantly lower amounts …

Mir-27b*, An Oxidative Stress-Responsive Microrna Modulates Nuclear Factor-Kb Pathway In Raw 264.7 Cells, Sivasubramani Thulasingam, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Arunakumar Gangaplara, Hongjiu Dai, Shahlo Yarbaeva, Sakthivel Subramaniam, Jean-Jack Riethoven, James Eudy, Marjorie F. Lou, Jay Reddy

Jay Reddy Publications

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in macrophages is critical for microbial killing, but they also take part in inflammation and antigen presentation functions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous regulators of gene expression, and they can control immune responses. To dissect the complex nature of ROS-mediated effects in macrophages, we sought to characterize miRNAs that are responsive to oxidative stress-induced with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. We have identified a set of unique miRNAs that are differentially expressed in response to H₂O₂. These include miR-27a*, miR-27b*, miR-29b*, miR-24-2*, …

Rhodococcus Equi Venous Catheter Infection: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Rosalinda Guerrero, Ashish Bhargava, Zeina Nahleh

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Introduction

Rhodococcus equi is an animal pathogen that was initially isolated from horses and is being increasingly reported as a cause of infection in humans with impaired cellular immunity. However, this pathogen is underestimated as a challenging antagonist and is frequently considered to be a mere contaminant despite the potential for life-threatening infections. Most case reports have occurred in immunocompromised patients who have received organ transplants (for example kidney, heart, bone marrow) or those with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Infections often manifest as pulmonary involvement or soft tissue abscesses. Bacteremia related to R. equi infections of tunneled central venous …

Rad6b Acts Downstream Of Wnt Signaling To Stabilize Β-Catenin: Implications For A Novel Wnt/Β-Catenin Target, Brigitte Gerard, Larry Tait, Pratima Nangia-Makker, Malathy Pv Shekhar

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with breast cancer even though genetic mutations in Wnt signaling components are rare. We have previously demonstrated that Rad6B, an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, stabilizes β-catenin via polyubiqutin modifications that render β-catenin insensitive to proteasomal degradation. Rad6B is a transcriptional target of β-catenin, creating a positive feedback loop between Rad6B expression and β-catenin activation.

Methods

To isolate subpopulations expressing high or low Rad6B levels, we transfected MDA-MB-231 or WS-15 human breast cancer cells with ZsGreen fluorescent reporter vector in which the expression of ZsGreen was placed under the control of Rad6B promoter. ZsGreen^{high …}

Histone Deacetylases (Hdacs) In Xpc Gene Silencing And Bladder Cancer, Xiaoxin S. Xu, Le Wang, Judith Abrams, Gan Wang

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies and causes hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Bladder cancer is strongly associated with exposure to environmental carcinogens. It is believed that DNA damage generated by environmental carcinogens and their metabolites causes development of bladder cancer. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the major DNA repair pathway for repairing bulk DNA damage generated by most environmental carcinogens, and XPC is a DNA damage recognition protein required for initiation of the NER process. Recent studies demonstrate reduced levels of XPC protein in tumors for a majority of bladder cancer patients. …

Phylogeny And Adaptive Evolution Of The Brain-Development Gene Microcephalin (Mcph1) In Cetaceans, Michael R. Mcgowen, Stephen H. Montgomery, Clay Clark, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Representatives of Cetacea have the greatest absolute brain size among animals, and the largest relative brain size aside from humans. Despite this, genes implicated in the evolution of large brain size in primates have yet to be surveyed in cetaceans.

Results

We sequenced ~1240 basepairs of the brain development gene microcephalin (MCPH1) in 38 cetacean species. Alignments of these data and a published complete sequence from Tursiops truncatus with primate MCPH1 were utilized in phylogenetic analyses and to estimate ω (rate of nonsynonymous substitution/rate of synonymous substitution) using site and branch models of molecular evolution. We also tested …

Unfolded Protein Response In Cancer: The Physician's Perspective, Xuemei Li, Kezhong Zhang, Zihai Li

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cascade of intracellular stress signaling events in response to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Cancer cells are often exposed to hypoxia, nutrient starvation, oxidative stress and other metabolic dysregulation that cause ER stress and activation of the UPR. Depending on the duration and degree of ER stress, the UPR can provide either survival signals by activating adaptive and antiapoptotic pathways, or death signals by inducing cell death programs. Sustained induction or repression of UPR pharmacologically may thus have beneficial and therapeutic …

A Supermatrix Analysis Of Genomic, Morphological, And Paleontological Data From Crown Cetacea, Jonathan H. Geisler, Michael R. Mcgowen, Guang Yang, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Cetacea (dolphins, porpoises, and whales) is a clade of aquatic species that includes the most massive, deepest diving, and largest brained mammals. Understanding the temporal pattern of diversification in the group as well as the evolution of cetacean anatomy and behavior requires a robust and well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis. Although a large body of molecular data has accumulated over the past 20 years, DNA sequences of cetaceans have not been directly integrated with the rich, cetacean fossil record to reconcile discrepancies among molecular and morphological characters.

Results

We combined new nuclear DNA sequences, including segments of six genes (~2800 …

Bio::Phylo-Phyloinformatic Analysis Using Perl, Rutger A. Vos, Jason Caravas, Klaas Hartmann, Mark A. Jensen, Chase Miller

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Phyloinformatic analyses involve large amounts of data and metadata of complex structure. Collecting, processing, analyzing, visualizing and summarizing these data and metadata should be done in steps that can be automated and reproduced. This requires flexible, modular toolkits that can represent, manipulate and persist phylogenetic data and metadata as objects with programmable interfaces.

Results

This paper presents Bio::Phylo, a Perl5 toolkit for phyloinformatic analysis. It implements classes and methods that are compatible with the well-known BioPerl toolkit, but is independent from it (making it easy to install) and features a richer API and a data model that is …

Defining The Phenotypes Of Sickle Cell Disease., Samir K. Ballas

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The sickle cell gene is pleiotropic in nature. Although it is a single gene mutation, it has multiple phenotypic expressions that constitute the complications of sickle cell disease. The frequency and severity of these complications vary considerably both latitudinally in patients and longitudinally in the same patient over time. Thus, complications that occur in childhood may disappear, persist or get worse with age. Dactylitis and stroke, for example, occur mostly in childhood, whereas leg ulcers and renal failure typically occur in adults. It is essential that the phenotypic manifestations of sickle cell disease be defined accurately so that communication among …

Epigenetics As An Explanation For Phenotypic Variation In Monozygotic Twins, Marina Pomerantseva

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: Researchers often use twins as natural samples to test hypotheses regarding the contribution of genetic factors to different phenotypes, especially diseases. The classical method is comparing traits in identical, or monozygotic (MZ) twins to those of dizygotic (DZ) twins. This method has had a significant impact on our current understanding of etiologic factors in many diseases which do not follow simple Mendelian law (i.e. complex diseases), including schizophrenia, bipolar disease, and major depression.

Current Review Of In Nivo Gbm Rodent Models: Emphasis On The Cns-1 Tumour Model, Valerie L. Jacobs, Pablo A. Valdes, William F. Hickey, Joyce A. De Leo

Dartmouth Scholarship

GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) is a highly aggressive brain tumour with very poor prognosis despite multi-modalities of treatment. Furthermore, recent failure of targeted therapy for these tumours highlights the need of appropriate rodent models for preclinical studies. In this review, we highlight the most commonly used rodent models (U251, U86, GL261, C6, 9L and CNS-1) with a focus on the pathological and genetic similarities to the human disease. We end with a comprehensive review of the CNS-1 rodent model.

A Retinoic Acid–Dependent Checkpoint In The Development Of Cd4+ T Cell–Mediated Immunity, Karina Pino-Lagos, Yanxia Guo, Chrysothemis Brown, Matthew P. Alexander, Raúl Elgueta, Kathryn A. Bennett, Victor De Vries, Elizabeth Nowak, Rune Blomhoff, Shanthini Sockanathan, Roshantha A. Chandraratna, Ethan Dmitrovsky, Randolph J. Noelle

Dartmouth Scholarship

It is known that vitamin A and its metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), are essential for host defense. However, the mechanisms for how RA controls inflammation are incompletely understood. The findings presented in this study show that RA signaling occurs concurrent with the development of inflammation. In models of vaccination and allogeneic graft rejection, whole body imaging reveals that RA signaling is temporally and spatially restricted to the site of inflammation. Conditional ablation of RA signaling in T cells significantly interferes with CD4⁺ T cell effector function, migration, and polarity. These findings provide a new perspective of the role of …

Avian Cerebellum Specialization In Relation To Acrobatic Courtship Displays In Manakins (Pipridae), Steven Ray Wilkening

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The courtship displays of male manakins (Pipridae) involve an array of acrobatic and postural elements. Previously it was found that species with elaborate displays exhibit specializations in motor planning and coordination areas of the brain. Several studies have suggested a relationship between cerebellum (Cb) morphology and distinct motor-related functions for the anterior Cb (somatosensory, flying, hopping/walking), posterior Cb (vision, audition, flying, hopping/walking), and vestibular Cb (flying, hopping/walking, vestibular). The anterior, posterior and vestibular Cb as well as basic morphological features of the Cb were measured and tested for a relationship with courtship display complexity in manakins. I compared Cb morphology …