Yuka Saeki

Activity of barosensitive neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla that send axonal projections to the rostral ventrolateral medulla in rabbits.

In urethane-anesthetized rabbits, we successfully recorded unit activity of four neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) that were excited by orthodromic stimulation of the aortic nerve and by antidromic stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). The sum of mean onset latency of excitation to stimulation of the aortic nerve (37.5 ms) and mean conduction time of antidromic spikes (10.5 ms) was close to the mean onset latency of inhibition of reticulospinal neurons in the RVLM to stimulation of the aortic nerve (47.1 ms) as previously reported by us. Three of 4 neurons received excitatory input from carotid sinus baroreceptors as well. Our results provide strong evidence for the hypothesis that neurons in the CVLM subserve the arterial baroreceptor-sympathetic vasomotor reflex.

Stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medullary neurons increases cortical cerebral blood flow via activation of the intracerebral neural pathway

In urethane-anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats, electrical or chemical (by L-glutamate) focal stimulations of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) produced an increase in cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF). The RVLM-induced cortical vasodilative response was present in animals with spinal cords sectioned at levels of Th3-4 and with bilateral extracerebral cervical sympathetic trunks (CSTs) severed. The RVLM-induced cortical vasodilative response was totally eliminated by an alpha 2 adrenergic blocker, but not by blockers for muscarinic, nicotinic, alpha 1 and beta receptors. It was concluded that there is an intracerebral vasodilative neural pathway including an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor originating in the RVLM for regulation of cortical blood vessels.

Barosensory neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla mediate the renal-sympathetic reflex in rabbits.

In urethane-anesthetized and vagotomized rabbits, activation of C-fibers of renal afferents resulted in a reflex change in multifiber renal nerve activity (RNA) which consisted of inhibitory (I) and excitatory (E) components, either alone or in combination. The I and E components were individually and reversibly blocked by bilateral application of bicuculline and kynurenic acid, respectively, to the ventral surface of medulla. Bicuculline further eliminated the sympathoinhibiton produced by stimulation of the aortic nerve. Within the subjacent rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), we recorded 23 spontaneously active single units that responded to electrical stimulation of renal afferents and were antidromically activated by stimulation of the dorsolateral funiculus at the C2 level. Usually, the neuronal response preceded that of the RNA by about 100 ms. These bulbospinal RVLM neurons were barosensory, since they responded to stimulation of the aortic nerve. We conclude that barosensory neurons in the RVLM mediate the renal-sympathetic reflex in rabbits.

Interprofessional Education Program of the University of Tsukuba: A Program to Develop Interprofessional Competence

This experience-based educational program is designed to train health professionals to provide a high level of interprofessional care. The program emphasizes practical learning and students’ experience in more than 10 health care professions in clinical settings. Introduced in 2004, the program has been administered jointly by three schools (Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Sciences) of the University of Tsukuba. The program features simulated care conferences and discussions in small groups consisting of students from the three schools. The program also provides opportunities for students to learn the viewpoints of patients and a variety of health professionals as well as the cooperative skills and partnerships required for interprofessional work. The program encourages students to understand the importance of cooperation among health professionals, to understand their expertise, and to learn how to develop the relationships necessary for providing interprofessional care.