Goal-directed behavior requires the interaction of multiple brain regions. How these regions and their interactions with brain-wide activity drive action selection is less understood. We have investigated this question by combining whole-brain volumetric calcium imaging using light-field microscopy and an operant-conditioning task in larval zebrafish. We find global, recurring dynamics of brain states to exhibit pre-motor bifurcations towards mutually exclusive decision outcomes. These dynamics arise from a distributed network displaying trial-by-trial functional connectivity changes, especially between cerebellum and habenula, which correlate with decision outcome. Within this network the cerebellum shows particularly strong and predictive pre-motor activity (>10 s before movement initiation), mainly within the granule cells. Turn directions are determined by the difference neuroactivity between the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres, while the rate of bi-hemispheric population ramping quantitatively predicts decision time on the trial-by-trial level. Our results highlight a cognitive role of the cerebellum and its importance in motor planning.

Numerous studies have focused on the expression, regulation, and biological significance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the growth plate. Findings in mouse knockout models and in vitro data from various species indicate that MMPs not only degrade extracellular matrix components but may regulate the activity of local growth factors. In this study we investigated the presence, distribution, and activity of various MMPs and inhibitors, tissue transglutaminase (tTG or TG2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the human child and adolescent growth plates by means of immunohistochemistry and gelatin zymography. Tissue was derived during orthopedic surgery (epiphysiodesis) in two prepubertal and four pubertal patients.MMP-2 and MMP-14 were present in reserve cell chondrocytes. MMP-14 was the most prominent MMP within all zones of the growth plate including proliferating chondrocytes. MMP-1 and MMP-13 (collagenases 1 and 3), MMP-9 (gelatinases B), MMP-10, and MMP-11 (stromelysins) and VEGF were positive in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts. MMP-2 showed the same expression pattern but was negative in osteoblasts. Osteoclasts stained positive for MMP-9, MMP-2, and TG2. Tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 was present in all zones of the growth plate, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts; TIMP-2 was found in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts. In summary, the presence of MMPs, TIMPs, TG2, and VEGF in our study indicated that the MMPs are relevant in growth plate physiology during the postnatal period in humans. The specific location of MMP expression within the growth plate may be the basis for further studies on the role of MMPs in the local regulation of chondrocyte differentiation, proliferation, and ossification at the chondroosseus junction.

Skin biopsies were taken from female dogs, the primary hair follicles isolated and the dermal papilla dissected. After incubation in supplemented Amniomax complete C100 medium in 24-well culture plates, the dermal papilla cells (DPC) grew to confluence within 3 weeks. Thereafter, they were subcultivated every 7 days. Dermal fibroblast (DFB) cultures were established by explant culture of interfollicular dermis in serum-free medium, where they reached confluence in 10 days. They were subcultivated every 5 days. For immunohistochemistry, cells were grown on cover slips for 24 h, fixed and stained with antibodies against collagen IV and laminin. DPC showed an aggregative growth pattern and formation of pseudopapillae. Intensive staining for collagen IV and laminin could be observed until the sixth passage. DFB grew as branching, parallel lines and showed only weak staining for collagen IV and laminin.

Skin biopsies from seven different body sites were obtained from 21 dogs of different breeds (short, normal, long hair), which were presented for euthanasia. Commercially available polyclonal antibodies were used for the immunohistochemical detection of androgen and oestrogen receptors. Both receptors showed a similar distribution in canine skin, with specific intranuclear staining. In the epidermis, the percentage of androgen receptor (AR)-positive cells, but not that of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive cells, was significantly higher in samples from the thorax and the flank. In the dermal papilla, the percentage of ER-positive (but not AR-positive) cells was significantly lower in biopsies from the flank. No significant difference was found for both receptors between the locations in the outer root sheath, among the three different hair types, between sex and between intact and castrated dogs.

These data challenge previous expression analyses, in particular theories of bone as the exclusive source of FGF23. Moreover, significant expression of FGF23 and KL within the growth plate and adjacent tissues imply a potential local role of FGF23 in chondrocyte differentiation and tissue mineralization.