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Assuming that there exists a translating soliton u∞ with speed C in a domain Ω and with prescribed contact angle on ∂Ω, we prove that a graphical solution to the mean curvature flow with the same prescribed contact angle converges to u∞ + Ct as t →∞. We also generalize the recent existence result of Gao, Ma, Wang and Weng to non-Euclidean settings under suitable bounds on convexity of Ω and Ricci curvature in Ω.

This study investigated the structure and innervation of the vibrissal systems of the pole cat (Mustela putorius), European otter (Lutra lutra) and ringed seal (Phoca hispida) in order to find adaptations to aquatic environment. The number of myelinated nerve fibers of deep vibrissal nerve (DVN) of the entire vibrissal system was considerably greater in the ringed seal (10×, aquatic mammal) and in the otter (4×, semi-aquatic mustelid) compared to the pole cat which is a terrestrial mustelid. Similarly, the number of neural end organs in the vibrissae of ringed seals was about ten times more numerous than in pole cats. The number of the vibrissae in the heads of otters was almost two times more than in pole cats, and all vibrissa groups had similar structures and innervation. The asymmetrically developed carpal vibrissae of otters were, however, more poorly innervated than the vibrissae of the head and had only smooth musculature. In the ringed seal the orientation of lanceolate end organs differed in different vibrissae, indicating the specialization of these vibrissae for different kinds of sensory functions. Ringed seal vibrissae contain structures which obviously are developed as adaptations to an aquatic environment. These include the modified mitochondria of Merkel cells, with Merkel cell-neurite complexes very often associated ciliated cells, liquid filled vesicles or intercellular spaces below the basal cell layer of the outer root sheath at the ring sinus level, a long upper cavernous sinus and a flattened beaded structure of the vibrissa hairs. As the vibrissae of aquatic mammals have analogous functions to the lateral line organ of fishes, we suggest using the term ‘vibrissal sense’ for the vibrissa system of aquatic mammals. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kainic acid-induced status epilepticus leads to structural and functional changes in inhibitory GABAA receptors in the adult rat hippocampus, but whether similar changes occur in the developing rat is not known. We have used in situ hybridization to study status epilepticus-induced changes in the GABAAα1–α5, β1–β3, γ1 and γ2 subunit mRNA expression in the hippocampus of 9-day-old rats during 1 week after the treatment. Immunocytochemistry was applied to detect the α1, α2 and β3 subunit proteins in the control and treated rats. In the saline-injected control rats, the α1 and α4 subunit mRNA expression significantly increased between the postnatal days 9–16, whereas those of α2, β3 and γ2 subunits decreased. The normal developmental changes in the expression of α1, α2, β3 and γ2 subunit mRNAs were altered after the treatment. The immunostainings with antibodies to α1, α2 and β3 subunits confirmed the in situ hybridization findings. No neuronal death was detected in any hippocampal subregion in the treated rats. Our results show that status epilepticus disturbs the normal developmental expression pattern of GABAA receptor subunit in the rat hippocampus during the sensitive postnatal period of brain development. These perturbations could result in altered functional and pharmacological properties of GABAA receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]