Fluorescent Arc/Arg3.1 indicator mice: A versatile tool to study brain activity changes in vitro and in vivo

The brain-specific immediate early gene Arc/Arg3.1 is induced in response to a variety of stimuli, including sensory and behavior-linked neural activity. Here we report the generation of transgenic mice, termed TgArc/Arg3.1-d4EGFP, expressing a 4-h half-life form of enhanced green fluorescent protein (d4EGFP) under the control of the Arc/Arg3.1 promoter. We show that d4EGFP-mediated fluorescence faithfully reports Arc/Arg3.1 induction in response to physiological, pathological and pharmacological stimuli, and that this fluorescence permits electrical recording from activated neurons in the live mouse. Moreover, the fluorescent Arc/Arg3.1 indicator revealed activity changes in circumscribed brain areas in distinct modes of stress and in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. These findings identify the TgArc/Arg3.1-d4EGFP mouse as a versatile tool to monitor Arc/Arg3.1 induction in neural circuits, both in vitro and in vivo

[Arterial wide-section anastomoses: experimental study on animals].

A mechanical device for making arterial wide-section anastomoses was tested on a series of 15 laboratory rabbits. End-to-side anastomoses were made using a vein graft and they functioned in 93.1% of cases, as evidenced by intraoperative Doppler studies. When an anastomosis is made, the mean duration of temporary blood flow arrest in the rabbit aorta averaged 2 min. According to outcomes, the survived animals were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 comprised 2 (13.3%) rabbits that died within 10-12 hours after surgery and had significant symptoms of anastomotic dysfunction. Group 2 included 8 (53.3%) animals that died 2-3 days after surgery. They moved 5-6 hours following surgery without assistance, which was indicating of anastomotic functioning. Group 3 consisted of 3 (20%) rabbits that survived 2 weeks. Autoptic studies revealed no anastomic thrombosis in Group 2 animals. Group 3 animals were noted to have signs of allograft thrombosis and rejection. Thus, it is expedient to continue studies to make arterial wide-section anastomoses, by using the above device, in order to introduce this procedure into clinical practice

[Microsurgical treatment of large and giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: analysis of application of intravascular blood aspiration technique and future perspectives].

The article discusses results of surgical treatment of 82 patients with large and giant cerebral aneurysms operated in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute (Moscow, Russia) during the recent 14 years. Special attention was given to benefits of intravascular blood aspiration (IBA) technique. This technique was proven to be very effective, allowing to clip the aneurysm in 87.8% of cases with good recovery in 41.5% and with moderate disability in 39%. Postoperative mortality was 4.9% (4 patients). The authors suggested original surgical classification of large and giant aneurysms. IBA was ineffective in cases of giant partially thrombosed aneurysms with sclerotic walls and giant aneurysms with very wide neck. These aneurysms require other surgical procedures such as embolization of ICA followed by extraintracranial bypass or high-flow bypass