High resolution three-dimensional brain atlas using an average magnetic resonance image of 40 adult C57Bl/6J mice.

Detailed anatomical atlases can provide considerable interpretive power in studies of both human and rodent neuroanatomy. Here we describe a three-dimensional atlas of the mouse brain, manually segmented into 62 structures, based on an average of 32 mum isotropic resolution T(2)-weighted, within skull images of forty 12 week old C57Bl/6J mice, scanned on a 7 T scanner. Individual scans were normalized, registered, and averaged into one volume. Structures within the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem were painted on each slice of the average MR image while using simultaneous viewing of the coronal, sagittal and horizontal orientations. The final product, which will be freely available to the research community, provides the most detailed MR-based, three-dimensional neuroanatomical atlas of the whole brain yet created. The atlas is furthermore accompanied by ancillary detailed descriptions of boundaries for each structure and provides high quality neuroanatomical details pertinent to MR studies using mouse models in research.

Comparison of ketorolac tromethamine with other injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain-on-injection and muscle damage in the rat.

The local tolerance of ketorolac tromethamine (Toradol, Syntex) was compared with that of four other injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (diclofenac sodium, piroxicam, ketoprofen, and metamizol magnesium) in the rat paw-lick/muscle irritation assay as described previously. All drugs were tested at concentrations approved for clinical use. After subplantar (footpad) injection, ketorolac produced virtually no pain-on-injection as assessed by the number of paw-lick/lift responses during a 15 min observation period. The other NSAIDs produced slight to moderate paw-lick/lift responses. Redness and swelling at the injection site were less severe for ketorolac than for the other NSAIDs. After intramuscular (i.m.) injection, all of the NSAIDs produced some degree of muscle damage, as assessed histopathologically 24 h after injection. The lesions, consisting primarily of muscle degeneration, were less severe for ketorolac than for the other NSAIDs. Ketorolac and metamizol produced the smallest elevations in serum creatine kinase, as measured 2 h after i.m. dosing, not significantly different from isotonic saline. Overall, ketorolac was better tolerated in the assay than the other injectable NSAIDs, thereby suggesting the possibility of improved local tolerance on clinical use.

Noninvasive measurement of blood pressure in conscious cynomolgus monkeys.

Systolic (SP), diastolic (DP), and mean arterial blood pressures (MAP) and pulse rate (PR) were recorded on treated and untreated conscious cynomolgus monkeys by the oscillometric method (Dinamap 1846SX/P). Each monkey was placed in a restraining tube with the cuff placed on the base on the shaved tail. Measurements were taken on untreated animals once or twice a day for 4 weeks. The mean and standard deviations for SP, DP, MAP, and PR were approximately 121 +/- 17, 60 +/- 14, and 84 +/- 17 mm Hg and 193 +/- 18 pulses/min, respectively. One male and one female cynomolgus monkey were treated with isoproterenol, norepinephrine, and nitroprusside. Blood pressure was measured indirectly with the cuff on the tail and directly with an indwelling catheter in the descending thoracic aorta. Although the oscillometric method was not as sensitive as the catheter, the oscillometric method detected a change in the same direction of SP, DP, MAP, and PR compared with the direct method for all drugs administered. The monitor was reliable and sufficiently accurate to conclude that it may be useful in toxicology studies for evaluation of blood pressure parameters in conscious cynomolgus monkeys.