Archives Italiennes de Biologie - a Journal of Neuroscience- was founded in 1882 and represents one of the oldest neuroscience journals in the world. Archives publishes original contributions in all the fields of neuroscience, including neurophysiology, experimental neuroanatomy and electron microscopy, neurobiology, neurochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, functional brain imaging and behavioral science. Archives Italiennes de Biologie also publishes monographic special issues that collect papers on a specific topic of interest in neuroscience as well as the proceedings of important scientific events. Archives Italiennes de Biologie is published in 4 issues per year and is indexed in the major collections of biomedical journals, including Medline, PubMed, Current Contents, Excerpta Medica.Since 2008, Archives Italiennes de Biologie is also published online. Submission of papers is now handled electronically through the web-site and published articles can be downloaded as PDF.
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Proflactic effects of rosmarinic acid on spinal cord injury in rats
Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes various neurological consequences that disrupt the structure of axons. The C/EBP Homologous Protein (CHOP) acts in neuronal death by apoptosis has been demonstrated in experimental models. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic compound used for therapeutic purposes in many diseases. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of Rosmarinic acid application on inflammation and apoptotic development after spinal cord injury. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats (n: 24) were assigned to three group: control, SCI and SCI+ RA. All rats were fixed on the operating table after anesthesia, the skin of the thoracic region was opened with a midline incision and the paravertebral muscles were dissected and T10-T11 laminas were exposed. A cylindrical tube of 10 cm length was fixed to the area to be laminectomy. A metal weight of 15 grams was left down the tube. Spinal damage was created, skin incisions were sutured. 50 mg/kg rosmarinic acid was given orally for 7 days after the spinal injury. Spinal tissues were fixed in formaldehyde solution and processed for paraffin wax tissue protocol and 4-5 μm sections were taken with microtome for further immunohistochemical examination. Caspase-12 and CHOP antibodies were applied to sections. Remaining tissues were carried out in glutaraldehyde for the first fixation then in osmium tetroxide for the second. Tissues were kept in pure araldite and thin sections were taken for transmission electron microscope. Results: Values of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), neuronal degeneration, vascular dilation, inflammation, CHOP and Caspase-12 expression were increased in SCI group compared to control group. Only glutathione peroxidase content was decreased in SCI group. In SCI group, disruption of basement membrane structure in canalis ependymalis, degeneration in structures of unipolar bipolar and multipolar neurons, and apoptotic changes were seen with increased inflammation in the piamater region and positive CHOP expression in vascular endothelial cells. In SCI+RA group, reorganization of basement membrane pill in canalis ependymalis were observed with mild Caspase-12 activity in some canalis ependymal and glial cells. Also, moderate CHOP expression in multipolar and bipolar neurons and glia cells were observed. Conclusions: The application of RA has a significant effect on preventing damage in SCI. It was thought that CHOP and Caspase-12 mediated oxidative stress could be a guide in showing the potential and therapeutic target to stop the apoptotic course after SCI injury.
Copyright (c) 2023 Archives Italiennes de Biologie
Audiological evalutation of the cochlear nerve with brainstem evoked response audiometry in patients with COVID-19
Purpose: In this clinical study, it was aimed to prospectively evaluate the cochlear nerve with brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) in terms of audiological ailments in patients with COVID-19. Although the relationship of COVID-19 with tinnutus and hearing loss has been investigated since the day this infectious respiratory disease emerged, its relationship with BERA has not been fully demonstrated from a neurological perspective. Methods: It was carried out on a group of patients who had COVID-19 in the last 6 months between February and August 2021 in Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital. Patients between the ages of 18-50, who applied to the otorhinolaryngology and neurology clinic and had COVID-19 in the last 6 months, were selected. The COVID-19 group of our study consisted of 30 patients, 18 males and 12 females, who had had COVID-19 disease in the last 6 months, and 30 healthy individuals, 16 males and 14 females, as the control group. Results: In patients with COVID-19, the evaluation of the destruction of the cochlear nerve with BERA showed that there was a statistically significant prolongation in I-III and I-V interpeaks at 70, 80 and 90 db nhl. Conclusions: Statistically significant prolongation of especially I-III and I-V Interpeaks in BERA showed that COVID-19 has the potential to cause neuropathy. We believe that the BERA test should be considered in the neurological evaluation of cochlear nerve damage in patients with COVID-19 as a differential diagnosis.
Evaluation of daily Laurus nobilis tea consumption on anxiety and stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers
Laurus nobilis is known in the field of herbal medicine and in vitro studies for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti- diabetes, and anti-inflammatory beneficial effects. Laurus nobilis tea consumption was investigated with regard to its effects on anxiety and stress in healthy individuals, measured by subjective tools and by plasmatic cortisol levels. The study included thirty healthy Tunisian volunteers aged between 20 and 57 years consuming Laurus nobilis infusion, prepared from 5g of dried Laurus nobilis leaves in 100 ml boiled water, once a day during 10 days. Plasma concentrations of serum cortisol were measured before Laurus nobilis consumption and at the end of the experiment. Laurus nobilis tea consumption significantly decreased the concentration of plasmatic cortisol ([cortisol] D0= 93.5± 43.01ng/mL, D11=72.23± 25.37, p=0.001). A statistically significant decrease in PSS and STAI scores (p=0.006 and p=0.002 respectively) was also noted. These findings highlight the decrease in blood cortisol levels, which means a possible positive effect on reducing the risk of stress related-diseases in healthy volunteers consuming Laurus nobilis tea. However, more powerful studies with extended treatment periods are required.
Effects of thymoquinone on spinal cord injury in rats
Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition that causes disturbances in normal sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. During SCI, damages occur such as, contusion, compression, distraction. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antioxidative thymoquinone on neuron and glia cells in SCI biochemically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Control, SCI and SCI + Thymoquinone groups. After T10- T11 laminectomy was performed, a metal weight of 15 grams was left down the spinal tube for spinal damage. Immediately after the trauma, the muscles and skin incision were sutured. Thymoquinone was given to the rats by gavage as 30mg/kg/21days. Tissues fixed in 10% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin wax and immunstained with Caspase-9 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT-3) antibodies. Remaining were stored at -80oC for biochemistry. Frozen spinal cord tissues were placed in a phosphate buffer solution and homogenized, centrifuged then used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and Myeloperoxidase (MPO). Results: In the SCI group, MDA, MPO, neuronal degeneration, vascular dilatation, inflammation, apoptotic appearance in the nucleus, loss of membrane and cristae in mitochondria, and dilatation in the endoplasmic reticulum were observed due to degeneration in the neuron structure. In the electron microscopic examination of the trauma + thymoquinone group, the membranes of the nuclei of the glial cells were thick and euchromatin, and mitochondria were shortened in length. In the SCI group, pyknosis and apoptotic changes were observed in neuronal structures and nuclei of glia cells in the substantia grisea and substantia alba region, along with positive Caspase-9 activity. An increase in Caspase-9 activity was observed in endothelial cells in blood vessels. In the SCI + thymoquinone group, Caspase-9 expression was positive in some of the cells in the ependymal canal while the cuboidal cells showed a negative Caspase-9 reaction in the majority. A few degenerated neurons in the substantia grisea region showed a positive reaction with Caspase-9. In SCI group, pSTAT-3 expression was positive in degenerated ependymal cells, neuronal structures, and glia cells. pSTAT-3 expression was positive in the endothelium and surrounding aggregated cells of the enlarged blood vessels. In the SCI+ thymoquinone group, pSTAT-3 expression was negative in most of the bipolar and multipolar neuron structures and glial cells in ependymal cells, enlarged blood vessel endothelial cells. Conclusions: It has been thought that thymoquinone application in spinal cord injuries may be an antioxidant that can be recommended as an alternative treatment in suppressing the apoptosis of neural cells by significantly reducing the inflammation process.
The potential effects of nutrients and light on autophagy-mediated visual function and clearance of retinal aggregates
Increasing findings indicate that a dysfunction in the autophagy machinery is common during retinal degeneration. The present article provides evidence showing that an autophagy defect in the outer retinal layers is commonly described at the onset of retinal degeneration. These findings involve a number of structures placed at the border between the inner choroid and the outer retina encompassing the choriocapillaris, the Bruch’s membrane, photoreceptors and Mueller cells. At the center of these anatomical substrates are placed cells forming the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), where autophagy seems to play most of its effects. In fact, a failure of the autophagy flux is mostly severe at the level of RPE. Among various retinal degenerative disorders, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is mostly affected by a damage to RPE, which can be reproduced by inhibiting the autophagy machinery and it can be counteracted by the activation of the autophagy pathway. In the present manuscript evidence is provided that such a severe impairment of retinal autophagy may be counteracted by administration of a number of phytochemicals, which possess a strong stimulatory activity on autophagy. Likewise, natural light stimulation administered in the form of pulsatile specific wavelengths is capable of inducing autophagy within the retina. This dual approach to stimulate autophagy is further strengthened by the interaction of light with phytochemicals which is shown to activate the chemical properties of these natural molecules in sustaining retinal integrity. The beneficial effects of photo-biomodulation combined with phytochemicals is based on the removal of toxic lipid, sugar and protein species along with the stimulation of mitochondrial turn-over. Additional effects of autophagy stimulation under the combined effects of nutraceuticals and light pulses are discussed concerning stimulation of retinal stem cells which partly correspond to a subpopulation of RPE cells.
In search for a neuropsychological marker of ADHD: findings from incidental memory testing
This paper reports on a study where the incidental memory of 18 children with ADHD and 18 typically developing peers was assessed by means of a conventional two-phase recognition memory test. In the study phase participants were required to categorize as a living or non-living a set of 64 stimuli from 8 semantic categories. In the test phase, they were required to recognize “target” (i.e., stimuli from the first set) from “non-target” stimuli. Children with ADHD were overall less accurate and much slower than TD controls in identifying both living and non-living items. Moreover, while most of TD participants made very few, if any, errors, only 7 out of 18 participants with ADHD scored near ceiling, and 2 of them scored below chance level. Following the Signal Detection Theory approach, the participants’ performance on the test phase was scored in terms of d prime (d’) values. Children with ADHD had lower d’ indexes compared to controls both for living and non-living stimuli, although this difference did not reach statistical signif-icance. More interestingly, the variability of the d’ values was higher in the ADHD compared to Controls. Taken together, findings from this study indicate that at least some of the children with ADHD have a genuine impairment in processing visual stimuli. More generally, these results cast doubts on the idea that ADHD represents a stable nosographic entity.
Copyright (c) 2022 Archives Italiennes de Biologie
The effect of vitamin E supplementation on brain tissue element levels in epileptic rats
The aim of this study was to investigate how the application of vitamin E affected the levels of chemical elements in the brain tissues of epilepsy-induced rats. The sample of 40 adult male rats was separated into 4 equal groups: Group 1: control, Group 2: vitamin E; Group 3: penicillin to promote epileptic form activity and Group 4: penicillin + vitamin E. After three months of treatment, an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to analyze the presence of the elements in brain tissue sections (brain, brainstem, cerebellum) of the decapitated animals. The levels of magnesium in the groups that received vitamin E (G2 and 4) were significantly higher than in the control group (G1) and the first epilepsy group (G3) (p<.05).Chrome and zinc levels in brain, brainstem, and cerebellum tissue of the two epilepsy groups (G3–4) decreased significantly compared to the control group (G1) and the vitamin E group (G2) (p<.05). The levels of copper in the brainstem and lead in the cerebellum of the first epilepsy group (G3) were higher than in all other groups (p<.05). The findings showed that the application of vitamin E in experimental epilepsy may have a limited effect on element metabolism in brain tissue. A decline in zinc levels in the brain, brainstem and cerebellum tissues in epilepsy groups constitutes another result of our study. This should be examined further to determine whether decreased levels of zinc play a role in epilepsy pathogenesis.
Noradrenergic substrates sensing light within brainstem reticular formation as targets for light-induced behavioral and cardiovascular plasticity
The occurrence of pure light exerts a variety of effects in the human body, which span from behavioral alterations, such as light-driven automatic motor activity, cognition and mood to more archaic vegetative functions, which encompass most organs of the body with remarkable effects on the cardiovascular system. Although empirical evidence clearly indicates occurrence of these widespread effects, the anatomical correlates and long-lasting changes within putatively specific neuronal circuitries remain largely unexplored. A specific role is supposed to take place for catecholamine containing neurons in the core of the brainstem reticular formation, which produces a widespread release of noradrenaline in the forebrain while controlling the vegetative nervous system. An indirect as well as a direct (mono-synaptic) retino-brainstem pathway is hypothesized to rise from a subtype of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (iPRGCs), subtype M1, which do stain for Brn3b, and project to the pre-tectal region (including the olivary pre-tectal nucleus). This pathway provides profuse axon collaterals, which spread to the periacqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nuclei. According to this evidence, a retino-reticular monosynaptic system occurs, which powerfully modulate the noradrenergic hub of reticular nuclei in the lateral column of the brainstem reticular formation. These nuclei, which are evidenced in the present study, provide the anatomical basis to induce behavioral and cardiovascular modulation. The occurrence of a highly interconnected network within these nuclei is responsible for light driven plastic effects, which may alter persistently behavior and vegetative functions as the consequence of long-lasting alterations in the environmental light stimulation of the retina. These changes, which occur within the core of an archaic circuitry such as the noradrenaline-containing neurons of the reticular formation, recapitulate, within the CNS, ancestral effects of light-driven changes, which can be detected already within the retina itself at the level of multipotent photic cells.
Spreading depolarization: A phenomenon in the brain
In 1944, the physiologist Leão while studying epilepsy in the rabbit noticed a sudden temporary cessation of electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity accompanied with a large negative slow potential change recorded by extracellular electrodes, that is later known as spreading depolarizations (SDs). The depression of the brain electrical activity was slowly propagating through the cerebral cortex. The mechanism of propagation is still controversial. SDs and seizures are following each other interchangeably, yet the puzzle needs more investigation to be clarified. SDs have an obvious effect on blood-brain barrier integrity mainly through transcellular and paracellular routs, but not much known about that especially following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) and the depression of brain activity have been recognized following a variety of neurological diseases and brain injuries. CSD has been studied in animal models and recently in humans, and it has been recognized and described as a massive neuronal depolarization accompanied with high level of disturbances in transmembrane ion gradients and significant changes in cerebral blood flow (1-3). Although there is a considerable amount of literatures on SD have been done since 1944, but the biophysical mechanism of SD, the long term effect on the brain structures and functions, and it is role in different disorders are still incompletely understood. Here, we summarize the history of spreading depolarization and the most accepted hypothesis for mechanism of initiation and propagation of that phenomenon. Most importantly, we present the most updated research on the relationship and interaction between spreading depolarization and traumatic brain injuries, seizure, blood-brain barrier, neurovascular coupling, and other neurological conditions. Learning more about the spreading depolarization will increase our understanding about that phenomenon and may explain its association with different clinical presentations.
Combined pulses of light and sound in the retina with nutraceuticals may enhance the recovery of foveal holes
The present manuscript stems from evidence, which indicates that specific wavelength produce an activation of the autophagy pathway in the retina. These effects were recently reported to synergize with the autophagy-inducing properties of specific phytochemicals. The combined administration of photo-modulation and phytochemicals was recently shown to have a strong potential in eliciting the recovery in the course of retinal degeneration and it was suggested as a non-invasive approach named “Lugano protocol” to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recent translational findings indicate that the protective role of autophagy may extend also to acute neuronal injuries including traumatic neuronal damage. At the same time, very recent investigations indicate that autophagy activation and retinal anatomical recovery may benefit from sound exposure. Therefore, in the present study, the anatomical rescue of a traumatic neuronal loss at macular level was investigated in a patient with idiopathic macular hole by using a combined approach of physical and chemical non-invasive treatments. In detail, light exposure was administered in combination with sound pulses to the affected retina. This treatment was supplemented by phytochemicals known to act as autophagy inducers, which were administered orally for 6 months. This combined administration of light and sound with nutraceuticals reported here as Advanced Lugano’s Protocol (ALP) produced a remarkable effect in the anatomical architecture of the retina affected by the macular hole. The anatomical recovery was almost complete at roughly one year after diagnosis and beginning of treatment. The structural healing of the macular hole was concomitant with a strong improvement of visual acuity and the disappearance of metamorphopsia. The present findings are discussed in the light of a synergism shown at neuronal level between light and sound in the presence of phytochemicals to stimulate autophagy and promote proliferation and neuronal differentiation of retinal stem cells.
Histopathological evaluation of IBA-1, GFAP activity in the brain cortex of rats administered cadmium chloride
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the changes in brain tissue and blood-brain barrier due to oxidative stress during cadmium (Cd) poisoning by biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical methods. Methods: 170-190 g weighing eight-week-old female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups (control and experimental), with 7 animals in each group. Experimental group rats were given 2 mg/kg/day powdered cadmium chloride dissolved in water intraperitoneally every day for two weeks. Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination was performed. Results: It was seen that brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased significantly, and glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity levels decreased. In addition to degeneration in some pyramidal cells and glial cells, deformity, and picnosis in the nucleus, dilation of the meninges and cortex vessels, and inflammation around the blood vessels were observed. An increase was found in ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA- 1) expression in microglia cells and degenerative endothelial cells, and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was observed in astrocytes and degenerate neurons. Conclusions: It has been shown that cadmium toxicity may cause microgliosis and astrogliogenesis by inducing cytokine production due to cell degeneration, vascularity, and inflammation in the brain cortex and by affecting microglia, astrocytes cells.
The influence of mandibular stretching on athletes subjected to high intensity workout
The use of oral appliances is considered effective in improving sport performance. Jaw clenching or stretching, improved breathing or positioning of the jaw have been proposed to explain the improvement. In this study, we reported the effects of regularly practiced mandibular stretching at submaximal opening of the jaw in Crossfit athletes. Seventeen test subjects undergoing mandibular stretching (MS) showed significantly reduced (p<0.001) performance time in a high-intensity workout measured before and after seven days of 10-minutes stretching practiced twice daily, while no improvement was observed in control subjects who did not perform the stretching. Additionally, blood lactate levels appeared to recover more quickly in MS subjects. Crossfit is a type of training regimen that pushes the limits of bodily recovery processes. Jaw stretching, eliciting the trigeminocardiac reflex (a reflex decrease in heart rate and blood pressure following trigeminal stimulation) and central oxygen-conserving mechanisms could help relieve post-training stress and improve training recovery.
The neurobiology of nutraceuticals combined with light exposure, a case report in the course of retinal degeneration.
The present article presents a case report and discusses the neurobiology underlying the potential neuro-repair induced by combined administration of phytochemicals in a patient undergoing photo-bio-modulation (PBM), which improves anatomical and clinical abnormalities in the course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). After combined treatments the patient with nutraceuticals and PBM had noticeable improvement of retinal tissue with excellent vision for her age and no worsening of corneal guttae, which was present at the time of diagnosis. The present treatment was tailored, based on translational evidence, to improve the autophagy pathway, which is a key determinant in the onset and progression of AMD. In fact, treatment with specific patterns of light exposure combined with specific phytochemicals, may synergize in improving the microanatomy of the retina by restoring its neurobiology. The combination of light exposure, at selective wavelengths, with the effects produced by the intake of specific phytochemicals to treat AMD is reported here as “Lugano Protocol”. Such a clinical protocol represents an “in progress” development backed up by translational research. In fact, recent evidence indicates that, specific phytochemicals, when administered in combination may promote anatomical and functional integrity within the retina. These in turn synergize with analogous effects produced by specific wavelengths, when administered at specific time intervals. The synergism between specific light and combined phytochemicals is discussed at molecular level, where recent data indicate how these treatments, when delivered according to specific patterns, may enhance autophagy in the retina. The improvement of retinal morphology and visual acuity, observed in this case report is thoroughly discussed in the light of the key role of autophagy in regulating the integrity of the retinal epithelium. Despite exciting, and consistent with translational evidence, the clinical report of a disease modifying effect during AMD owns the inherent limit of a case report, which requires wide validation in large number of patients. The potential effectiveness of “Lugano protocol” may apply to other types of retinal degenerations, where common alterations in the autophagy pathway do occur. Thus, such a therapeutic approach may extend to a common late stage of retinal trans-synaptic degeneration, where maladaptive plasticity during several types of retinal degenerative disorders eventually converge.
Combined therapy (Rho-A-kinase inhibitor and chitosan/collagen porous scaffold) provides a supportive environment for endogenous regenerative processes after spinal cord trauma
Due to the complexity of pathological processes in spinal cord injury (SCI), it is increasingly recognized that combined strategies are more effective than single treatments. The aim of the present study was to enhance neural tissue regeneration and axon regrowth using Rho-A-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) in a rat SCI model (Th9 compression) and to bridge the lesion with a chitosan/collagen porous scaffold (ChC-PS) applied two weeks after SCI. In addition, to see the synergic effect of Y-27632 and ChC-PS, we combined these single therapeutic strategies to enhance the regenerative capacity of injured spinal cord tissue. The animals survived eight weeks. Application of Y-27632 modulated the inhibitory milieu by specifically targeting gray and white matter integrity, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity, and the outgrowth of neurofilaments and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) immunoreactive axons across the lesion sites, leading to significant positive functional outcome from day 20 to 56. Compared to single treatments, combined Y-27632/ChC-PS therapy was more effective in neurofilaments and GAP-43 expression and GFAP immunoreactivity in the perilesional area of dorsal, lateral and ventral columns, and in enhancing the gray and white matter integrity throughout the cranio-caudal extent. The findings indicate that combined therapy provides a supportive environment for endogenous regenerative processes.
The Effect of 2 Weeks of Naringenin on AQP4, IL-2 and DNA Damage in Brain Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of naringenin (NAR) administration for 2 weeks in rats on brain Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) levels in brain ischemia-reperfusion. Experimental groups were formed as follows; 1-Control; 2-Sham Control; 3 Ischemia/ Reperfusion (I/R); 4-Naringenin (Naringenin 50) + I/R; 5-Naringenin (naringenin 100) + I/R. I/R was performed as 1 hour occlusion of the carotid arteries (ischemia) followed by 1 hour reperfusion. Naringenin was supplied for 2 weeks by intraperitoneal. At the end of the experiment, AQP4, IL-2 and 8-OHdG levels were determined in the brain frontal cortex tissue taken from animals killed under anesthesia. AQP4, IL-2 and 8-OHdG levels increased significantly in I/R group. However, both 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg two-week administration of naringenin significantly decreased these increased parameters (P < 0.001). The results of the study show that intraperitoneal administration of naringenin for two weeks in rats may prevent the damage caused by brain ischemia-reperfusion.
Flow cytometric analysis of CD4 and T-lymphocytes of chronic amphetamine and alcohol abuse
Introduction: Drug and alcohol abuse has significant negative impacts on individuals’ life, health status and communities. They have also been implicated immunity system diseases. Therefore we aim to investigate the impact of chronic amphetamine abuse or co-abuse of alcohol with amphetamine on immunity, especially CD3 T cells, as well as the response of CD4 and CD8 T cells. Patients and methods: A research sample comprising of 53 individuals younger than 40 years of age was employed to perform a retrospective case study within the setting of the Al-Amal Psychiatric Hospital. Individuals were distributed into 3 groups as the following: group (i) 17 patients abused amphetamine only for five years, group (ii) 17 patients’ co-abused alcohol and amphetamine or five years, and group (iii) composed of 19 non-abusers of similar age and sex was selected as control. Flow cytometry was conducted for the collection and analysis of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ monoclonal antibodies from blood samples. Results: In contrast to the control group, amphetamine abuser patients showed a significantly decrease of the mean levels of CD3+CD4+ (#Event), CD3+CD8+ (#Event) and CD3+CD8+ (% Total). Meanwhile, levels of CD3+CD4+ (% Parent) was significantly higher in patients versus control (P = 0.001). furthermore, In the amphetamine abuse patient group, there were significant positive correlations between CD3+CD4+ (#Event) and CD3+CD4+ (% Total); CD3+CD8+ (#Event); Between CD3+CD4+ (% Parent) and CD3+CD8+ (% Parent) and CD3+CD8+ (% Total); Between CD3+CD4+ (% Total) and CD3+CD8+ (#Event); Between CD3+CD8+ % Parent) and CD3+CD8+ (% Total). Conclusion: The present work shed light on the reaction of CD4 and CD8 T cells to chronic amphetamine and alcohol abuse, which was found to induce changes in the systemic immune response. Interestingly, amphetamine abuse markedly changes the systemic immune as they diminished CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells, and amphetamine and co-abuse alcohol affected CD3 cells significantly.
Not all sales performance is created equal: personality and interpersonal traits in inbound and outbound marketing activities
A long tradition of research has shown that personality traits, such as extraversion and agreeableness, and interpersonal constructs better predict job performance with a tacit but not explicit distinction in sales marketing activities. In this contribution, we aim to understand the role of job-related and interest data, interpersonal, and personality traits in affecting either inbound or outbound marketing activities and the overall sales performance. An original questionnaire integrates the interpersonal traits and personality factors reported in the literature in sales marketing activities (independent variables). The results were matched with the individual job-related and interest data (control variables) and sales performance (criterion variables) – expressed as the total number of closed contracts over the inbound/outbound related contacts of employees with responsibility in marketing activities for a large banking group. We are able to identify the relevant predictors of sales performance by creating full binary trees using control and independent variables in conditional inference forests and variable importance index measures. Higher performers in either inbound or outbound marketing activities rely on distinct personality sub-traits, which have fundamentally essential implications for interpersonal functioning, and personal data when agreeableness is central to the ability to function effectively in the interpersonal realm of sales activity.
Learning effect and repeatability of stabilometric measurements: “standard” vs. usual foot placement
The existence of a learning effect by which subjects progressively reduce body sway over the course of repetitive stabilometric measurements is currently debated. Also, the position and orientation of the feet on the platform can have a substantial influence on the outcome measurements. The aim of the present work was to assess the effect of feet positions on mean total velocity (V) of the center of pressure and the area (AR) covered by its displacements during quiet standing. A group of 35 healthy young subjects was examined during two successive sessions consisting of five recordings with their feet placed either in the recommended (standard, SP) or their usual most comfortable (UP) position. Results show a slight decreasing trend that failed to be statistically significant checked with Friedman’s ANOVA (SP AR, χ2(4)=6.10, p=0.19 and V, χ2(4)=8.66, p=0.07 and UP AR, χ2(4)=2.32, p=0.68 and V, χ2(4)=1.19, p=0.88). Nonetheless, values of AR and V showed a notable decrement especially evident in the SP exam reaching, respectively, 24% and 11% from baseline, whereas variability measured by the coefficient of variation was the same in the two exams. Given the results, a learning effect should not be ruled out with confidence. Also, usual foot placement would be preferable to avoid this effect. Further research is needed to take into consideration the great variability of stabilometric measurements and the fact that different subjects could adapt more readily to the test conditions than others.
Copyright (c) 2021 Archives Italiennes de Biologie
Retinal Degeneration Following Chronic Administration of the Parkinsonism-Inducing Neurotoxin MPTP
During late stages, retinal degenerative disorders affecting photoreceptors progress independently from the specific disease trigger. In fact, a number of detrimental consequences occur downstream of photoreceptors, which are triggered by the loss of photoreceptors themselves. Such downstream anatomical alterations were originally thought to be compensatory events aimed to restore retinal function. At present, these phenomena are deciphered as detrimental effects and the term retinal degeneration is used to indicate the loss of cells and architecture within the inner retina as a consequence of damage to photoreceptors. In the process of testing a photoreceptor-dependent downstream spreading of neurodegeneration we applied a neurotoxin mimicking Parkinson’s disease (PD), 1-methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Chronic MPTP administration produces degeneration within the mouse retina. This is evident by apoptosis quite circumscribed to photoreceptors, which is reminiscent of most phenotypes of retinal degeneration. Retinal pathology following plain H&E histochemistry is more widespread with delamination and loss of neuronal packaging in the inner retina. The retinal damage is characterized by a marked synucleinopathy mostly within retinal ganglion cells. In contrast, dopamine-containing structures are intact while norepinephrine is significantly reduced. Despite the involvement of the retina in PD is documented, no study so far analyzed the onset of a synucleinopathy and a degenerative process mimicking what is now recognized in typical retinal degeneration. The present data provide a novel vista on the reciprocal role of the retina in neurodegenerative disorders.
Dual function of Selenium nanoparticles: Inhibition or induction of lysozyme amyloid aggregation and evaluation of their cell based cytotoxicity
Aberrant protein aggregation and the formation of amyloid deposits are associated with numerous neuro- and non-neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, one potential strategy is to eliminate these deposits by halting amyloid aggregation. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have great potential in biomedicine for various therapeutic and diagnostic purposes and also have the ability to inhibit amyloid fibrillation. Herein, Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) was chosen as a protein model, and rod-like Se-NPs with diameters ranging from 90 to 120 nm were synthesized and the influence of shape and concentration of the particles on HEWL fibrillation was investigated. The effect of the nanoparticles on HEWL amyloid formation was analyzed using thioflavin T and Congo red binding assays, atomic force microscopy, and cytotoxicity assays. In the present study, it has been observed that these particles have a dual function in various concentrations. Using lower concentrations of Se-NPs ranging from 3-30 μg/ml, the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence intensity decreased significantly by 60%, with an increased lag time compared to that of the control. While HEWL fibrillation substantially increased upon co-incubation with a higher concentration of these particles (300-2400μg/ml), and these results were verified by AFM, Congo red, and MTT assay. We showed that inhibitory or inductive influences of Se-NPs on the hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) amyloid aggregation are achieved via different independent mechanisms. These results demonstrate that dual-activity of Se-NPs might be a valuable targeting system for inhibiting amyloid aggregation, and thus, may play a useful role in new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for amyloid-related disorders.
Surgical management of sporadic hemangioblastomas located in the posterior fossa of brain
Purpose: Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are highly vascular tumors, constituting 2%-3% of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Surgery is a treatment option for HBs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and radiological findings of patients with HBs who were operated on via microsurgical technique at our clinic and to determine the findings specific to HBs and evaluate their pathological findings and confirmation. Methods: We evaluated age, gender, initial complaints and duration of 100 patients (50 female and 50 male patients), presence of cranial nerve deficits, magnetic resonance imaging, data (localization, presence of hydrocephalus, tumor size, enhancement pattern, and cystic and solid component features), resection rates, pathological findings (grade, Ki-67 ratio, and staining results), recurrence, special conditions of patients, and the final status of patients in this study. Results: Mean age was 39.08 ± 14.77 years and 66.7% of the patients presented with cerebellar findings. Five of the cases were located in the brainstem, five were located in the cerebellopontine angle, and two were in the cerebellar cortex. In all patients, gross total resection was performed using arteriovenous malformation repair. Conclusions: Surgical intervention of small and cystic tumors can be performed safely with en bloc resection along with preoperative detailed imaging, improved microsurgical techniques, and an extensive understanding of anatomical and vascular structures. On the contrary, patients with a brainstem invasion and solid structure present surgical difficulties due to arteriovenous malformation-like vascularizations; therefore, gross total resection is the optimal treatment in HBs.
Exosomes and alpha-synuclein within retina from autophagy to protein spreading in neurodegeneration
In the course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as in multiple retinal disorders protein aggregates are described at various levels in the retina. In AMD this fills the space between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the form of drusen, which contains amyloid and other protein aggregates along with lipids. Nonetheless, in very advanced stages of AMD, as well as in other retinal pathologies and early on in retinitis pigmentosa, a number of neuronal inclusions, which stain for α-synuclein spreads all over the retinal layers. Thus, an early or later defect in the clearance of α-synuclein may represent a final common pathway to these phenomena. The physiological clearance of α-synuclein is provided by the autophagy machinery starting at the level of the RPE and occurring throughout the retina. Such a process is also involved in the clearance of melanin-dependent toxic metabolites under the effects of different wavelengths and the stimulatory activity of the sympathetic nervous system. In search for the occurrence of these culprits, here we report the presence of α-synuclein in the retina combined with exosomal detection to document the presence of a α-synuclein spreading apparatus. This was correlated with the occurrence of autophagy markers throughout retinal layers, along with sympathetic innervation, which in turn was related to melanin content.
Combined functional magnetic resonance imaging and skin conductance to detect localized neural response to psychological stress: a pilot study
Objective: This preliminary study aims at investigating the neural correlates of the stress response, intended as an emotional and cognitive response, through the description of the activation of the autonomic nervous system in a problem-solving task and central functional data; in particular, we recorded skin conductance level (SCL) and response (SCR) and observed the correlation with fMRI data. Materials and methods: The results obtained from 6 healthy subjects, 3 males and 3 females, aged between 18 and 45 (average = 27, SD = 7.08) who voluntarily offered to participate in the study were examined. They were previously subjected to a brief clinical psychological assessment (MMPI-2) and then to a psychophysiological evaluation. The real experiment consisted in subjecting the participants to an adapted version of the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices 47 (CPM 47) test to evaluate some consequences on brain activity of attention, orientation, reflex and response to stress during fMRI data acquisition and SCL-SCR recording. Results: SCR changes were found to be related to the activity of different brain regions such as bilateral precentral gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyri and left anterior cingulate suggesting a specific relationship between attentive processing and autonomic arousal. Conclusion: The association of SC measurement with neuroimaging allows to highlight the interaction between emotional and cognitive processes: although preliminary, these results partially confirm what previously found in literature on the neural correlates of psychological stress and underline the interaction between cognitive function and autonomic arousal system during a stressful problem-solving task.
Cerebral cortical thickness and gyrification changes in first-episode psychoses and multi-episode schizophrenia
Cortical thickness (CT) and local gyrification index (LGI) in psychotic disorders may show modifications that relate to clinical course. This observational study aimed to analyse such variables in patients with schizophrenia, compared to healthy controls (HCs). We compared CT and LGI of 18 patients with first-episode psychosis with that of 21 with multi-episode schizophrenia and 16 HCs. CT corrected for false-positive cases (Family-Wise Error Rate) showed a reduction in the multi-episode group compared to HCs in left temporal and parietal, and right temporal, parietal, occipital, and hippocampal cortices. Family-wise corrected LGI was increased in the left inferior and middle frontal cortices, and in the right fusiform gyrus, cingulate, lingual, and parahippocampal gyri in first onset patients compared to HCs. Increased LGI was absent from later stages of psychosis, suggesting that specific CT and LGI alterations may underlie different stages of illness.
Sensitivity of item memory to fluency: Evidence from behavioral data and ERP old/new effects
Background: Previous studies have suggested that item memory is processed based on both familiarity and recollection, and evidence can be found from behavioral as well as event-related potential (ERP) patterns. Recently, great consideration has been given to how the memory of items generated from internal and external sources differ from each other. To date, the modulation of fluency, perceptual fluency in particular, on item memory has been rarely explored from both behavioral and neural perspectives. To address these issues, an ERP experiment was conducted. Methods: Stimuli were encoded in the status of perceived vs. imagined, of either high or low frequency, manipulated by times of exposure (once or twice). Subsequent memory for the items was tested, during which ERP signals were recorded. Results and Conclusion: The findings of the old/new effects reveal the distinctiveness between perceived and imagined items, and demonstrate an influence of fluency, with higher accuracy for items of high fluency than those low fluent ones. The sensitivity of item memory to fluency was discussed in terms of the dual-process model, together with other possible accounts.
Measurement of drusen and their correlation with visual symptoms in patients affected by age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal disorder, which became more and more prevalent in the last decades. AMD is now the most prevalent cause of blindness in the western world. The disorder is classified into two phenotypes named dry and wet AMD. This is based on the recruitment of novel blood vessels and inflammatory exudates in wet AMD. In both phenotypes, the pathological hallmark is the presence of proteinaceous aggregates called drusen, which mostly accumulate between the choroid and the retinal pigment. Drusen in dry AMD represent the evident pathological finding although they are present, though less defined, in wet AMD. In AMD drusen are supposed to be a pathogenic trigger of the disorder. In fact, drusen may mechanically alter retinal function. A novel hypothesis exists, suggesting that a metabolic defect (systemic or focal within the retinal pigment epithelium) may be the real determinant of visual impairment, while causing the concomitant accumulation of proteinaceous debris and lipids forming the drusen. Here we face such an issue by analyzing the retinal anatomy to correlate visual impairment with the occurrence of drusen number, size and the extent of a drusenoid area in the foveal region. A comparison is made with wet AMD where new vessels and retinal exudates prevail. The study is carried out in 120 patients affected by dry or wet AMD and 21 patients where paradoxical findings are described. The main question consists in inferring whether the occurrence of visual impairment is due, in fact, to a drusen-dependent mechanical damage or drusen just occurs as an independent consequence of an upstream metabolic alteration, which concomitantly impairs the visual process. The present data indicate that, despite a significant difference in visual function between mild and severe AMD patients in the amount of drusen exists, a strong correlation between drusen and visual impairment does not occur. This suggests that drusen and visual deterioration develop as a consequence of similar upstream biochemical alterations but it is likely that drusen do not produce visual deterioration. This is strengthened here by extreme clinical conditions, where visual impairment is severe with a slight alteration in the planar pattern of the retina or, vice versa an extended drusenoid area occurs concomitantly with fair visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and lack of metamorphopsia. A biochemical analysis of key areas in the function of specific domains in the pigment epithelium as described in the accompanying manuscript should help to better disclose the real morpho-functional deficit, which takes place in AMD.
The exploration of a new environment leads to the modulation of gene expression for prolonged times in the rat
In the present study we performed a transcriptional analysis in order to evaluate changes in gene expression induced by exploration in prolonged times. The analysis was carried out 3, 10 and 20 days after exploration. We analyzed the modulation of the expression levels of Pfn2, Casp3, Pdrg1, Pea15, Ywhaz genes which previously were found not modulated 2 days after exploration. Our data show that the expression of Pfn2, Casp3, Pdrg1, Pea15, Ywhaz genes was modulated at 10 or 20 days. The transcript, whose expression had been evaluated with the qRT-PCR, code for proteins which belong to the following functional categories: synaptic modulation, apoptosis, signal transduction. It is interesting to note that the modulation of the expression of these genes was evident some days after environmental exploration, and not previously at 2 days after conditioning as occurred after contextual fear conditioning (CFC). Hence it is possible to hypothesize that the spatial memory processes require a longer period of elaboration than the emotional ones, fundamental for the survival of the species.
Comparison of ependymomas and medulloblastomas located in the posterior cranial fossa: An anatomical and histopathological study
Posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) include medulloblastomas, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, pilocytic astrocytomas, ependymomas, and brainstem gliomas. We evaluated patients with surgery at our clinic, comparing epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of medulloblastoma and ependymoma to identify factors that might assist preoperative diagnosis, help to develop treatment algorithms, and have prognostic value after surgery. Pediatric patients from 0 to 16 and young adults from 16 to 29 years of age with surgery for pathologically confirmed ependymomas or medulloblastomas between January 2014 and January 2020 were eligible. The study included 19 patients, seven with ependymoma (37%) and 12 with medulloblastoma (63.2%). The ependymoma patients were 5.29 ± 5.85 years of age, the medulloblastoma patients were 11.58 ± 8.17 years of age, and 16 patients (84%) were children.Fifteen patients (79%) presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure and four (21%) presented with cerebellar findings. MRI found that 74% (14) of the PSTs were located in the midline, including six of the seven ependymomas (86%) and eight of the 12 medulloblastomas (67%). Enhancement was significantly greater in medulloblastomas compared with ependymomas (p = 0.022). In according to pathology results; synaptophysin, NSE, chromogranin and 50% GFAP positivity were observed in medulloblastoma. Ependymomas were S100 (43%) and vimentin (29%) positive. Ependymoma patients were younger than medulloblastoma patients and more were female. There were no significant differences in the clinical findings, but ependymomas were larger and had greater rates of enhancement and spinal metastasis compared with medulloblastomas.
Hyperostosis frontalis interna and frontal bone thickness among various age groups - differences between males and females
Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) represents an abnormality of the frontal cranial bone that is characterized by bilateral, nodular thickening of its inner lamina and may sometimes be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as headaches and depression. The aim was to assess prevalence, sex and age differences of HFI and frontal bone thickness by means of MRI. This retrospective study included 908 subjects who were divided into male and female groups and further subdivided into three groups, youngest (≤45 years), middle-aged (46- 65 years) and the oldest group (>65 years). The thickness of the frontal bone was measured on the T2-weighted axial images at the top level of the lateral ventricles as a mean from both sides. We considered 10mm or thicker frontal bone as HFI. The total prevalence of HFI was 8.1%, with a more frequent occurrence in women (p<0.05). In males, there was no difference in the frontal bone thickness between different age groups (p>0.05), while in females we found differences between the youngest and the oldest group, and also between the middle-aged and the oldest group (p<0.05). The female respondents had a thicker frontal bone, which was statistically significant only in the oldest group (p<0.001). Frontal bone thickness was age-dependent only in women (Spearman's Rho 0.11; p≤0.01). In women, unlike in men, there is an age-related progression of HFI with increasing prevalence, with 16.4% occurrence in the oldest group.
The swimming control group in spatial reference memory task: analysis of its motor cortex activity
Spatial reference memory in rodents is commonly performed in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). The use of control groups on this task is essential in order to subtract brain activity not related to learning. To study the functional contribution of selected brain areas, we assessed neuronal metabolic activity thorough quantitative cytochrome c oxidase histochemistry. This technique allows the measurement of the oxidative metabolism responsible for ATP production. Our objective is to analyse if the swimming control group is an optimal control for the evaluation of spatial reference memory task. To do so, we explore the behaviour in the MWM and the neuronal metabolic activity of motor cortex and its layers, in addition to hippocampus. For this purpose, three groups of Wistar rats were used: reference memory group, swimming control, and cage control. The behavioural results show significant differences between the experimental group and the swimming control group in time spent in the quadrants and swimming speed. In addition, higher neuronal hippocampal metabolic activity (CA1 subfield) was found in the experimental when compared to both controls. However, there are no differences in the motor cortex neuronal metabolic activity of the groups. Therefore, we can assume that the swimming control group effectively isolates the motor activity during the swim and the behavioural results are due to the hippocampal activity related to learning itself and not the physical activity performed in the labyrinth.