Plasticity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Mouse Bone Marrow in the Presence of Conditioned Medium of the Facial Nerve and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2

A number of evidences show the influence of the growth of injured nerve fibers in peripheral nervous system as well as potential implant stem cells (SCs). The SCs implementation in the clinical field is promising and the understanding of proliferation and differentiation is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the plasticity of mesenchymal SCs from bone marrow of mice in the presence of culture medium conditioned with facial nerve explants and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). The growth and morphology were assessed for over 72 hours. Quantitative phenotypic analysis was taken from the immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), protein OX-42 (OX-42), protein associated with microtubule MAP-2 (MAP-2), protein β-tubulin III (β-tubulin III), neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), and neurofilament 200 (NF-200). Cells cultured with conditioned medium alone or combined with FGF-2 showed morphological features apparently similar at certain times to neurons and glia and a significant proliferative activity in groups 2 and 4. Cells cultivated only with conditioned medium acquired a glial phenotype. Cells cultured with FGF-2 and conditioned medium expressed GFAP, OX-42, MAP-2, β-tubulin III, NeuN, and NF-200. This study improves our understanding of the plasticity of mesenchymal cells and allows the search for better techniques with SCs

Cyto- and Myelo-Architecture of the Amygdaloid Complex of the Common Marmoset Monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

The amygdaloid complex (AC) is a heterogeneous aggregate of nuclei located in the rostromedial region of the temporal lobe. In addition to being partly connected among themselves, the AC nuclei are strongly interconnected with the cerebral cortex, striatum, basal forebrain, hypothalamus and brainstem. Animal and human functional studies have established that the AC is a central hub of the neuronal networks supporting emotional responsivity, particularly its negative/aversive components. Dysfunction of AC circuits in humans has been implicated in anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The small New-World marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) has recently become a key model for neuroscience research. However, the nuclear and fiber tract organization of marmoset AC has not been examined in detail. Thus, the extent to which it can be compared to the AC of Old-World (human and macaque) primates is yet unclear. Here, using Nissl and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemical stains as a reference, we analyzed the cytoarchitecture and nuclear parcellation of the marmoset AC. In addition, given the increasing relevance of tractographic localization for high-resolution in vivo imaging studies in non-human primates, we also identified the myelin fiber tracts present within and around the AC as revealed by the Gallyas method. The present study provides a detailed atlas of marmoset AC. Moreover, it reveals that, despite phylogenetic distance and brain size differences, every nucleus and myelinated axon bundle described in human and macaque studies can be confidently recognized in marmosets

AS PLANTAS DO BIOMA CAATINGA COM POTENCIAL NEUROPROTETOR: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

O Brasil é considerado um dos países de maior biodiversidade do planeta, tendo a caatinga como um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro. As plantas usadas na terapêutica local são de constante interesse da etnobotânica, através do conhecimento sobre o uso e aplicação da biodiversidade. Estudos recentes apontam para algumas novas propostas terapêuticas no tratamento de doenças neurológicas, dentre elas, destaca-se a terapia com células derivadas de medula óssea e o tratamento com flavonóides de ação antioxidante e anti-inflamatória. Esses compostos estão presentes na maioria das plantas com potenciais antioxidante e anti-inflamatório. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar o estudo de propriedades neuroprotetoras em plantas nativas da caatinga nas universidades brasileiras, através dos trabalhos de conclusões acadêmicos. A pesquisa é uma revisão de literatura, onde serão reunidos trabalhos de conclusão acadêmicos relacionados à investigação de propriedades neuroprotetoras em plantas da caatinga. Os trabalhos (Monografias, Dissertações e Teses) foram encontrados a partir de repositórios acadêmicos indexados na base eletrônica do Google Acadêmico. Esse levantamento de dados possibilitou um conhecimento acerca das plantas que possam apresentar um potencial medicinal neuroprotetor do bioma caatinga que ainda não foram estudadas com tanta eficiência, entre essas plantas temos as seguintes famílias: Anacardiaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, sendo a família de maior destaque, Apocynaceae, Convolvulaceae, Rutaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae. Diante do presente estudo destaca-se a descoberta de propriedades neuroprotetoras nas plantas da caatinga e sua aplicação na terapia de doenças neurológicas, porém as evidências e estudos ainda são poucos

Passiflora cincinnata

Passiflora cincinnata Masters is a Brazilian native species of passionflower. This genus is known in the American continent folk medicine for its diuretic and analgesic properties. Nevertheless, few studies investigated possible biological effects of P. cincinnata extracts. Further, evidence of antioxidant actions encourages the investigation of possible neuroprotective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigates the effect of the P. cincinnata ethanolic extract (PAS) on mice submitted to a progressive model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) induced by reserpine. Male (6-month-old) mice received reserpine (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), every other day, for 40 days, with or without a concomitant treatment with daily injections of PAS (25 mg/kg, i.p.). Catalepsy, open field, oral movements, and plus-maze discriminative avoidance evaluations were performed across treatment, and immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase was conducted at the end. The results showed that PAS treatment delayed the onset of motor impairments and prevented the occurrence of increased catalepsy behavior in the premotor phase. However, PAS administration did not modify reserpine-induced cognitive impairments. Moreover, PAS prevented the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) induced by reserpine. Taken together, our results suggested that PAS exerted a neuroprotective effect in a progressive model of PD

The Millerton Progress

Weekly newspaper published on Fridays in Millerton, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising

Serotonin and circadian rhythms

All mammal behaviors and functions exhibit synchronization with environmental rhythms. This is accomplished through an internal mechanism that generates and modulates biological rhythms. The circadian timing system, responsible for this process, is formed by connected neural structures. Pathways receive and transmit environmental cues to the central oscillator, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, which mediates physiological and behavioral alterations. The suprachiasmatic nucleus has three major inputs: the retinohypothalamic tract (a direct projection from the retina), the geniculohypothalamic tract (an indirect photic projection originating in the intergeniculate leaflet), and a dense serotonergic plexus from the raphe nuclei. The serotonergic pathway, a source of non-photic cues to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, modulates its activity. The importance of raphe nuclei in circadian rhythms, especially in photic responses, has been demonstrated in many studies. Serotonin is the raphe neurotransmitter that triggers phase shifts, inhibits light-induced phase-shifts, and plays a role in controlling the sleep-wake cycle. All data to date have demonstrated the importance of the raphe, through serotonergic afferents, in adjusting circadian rhythms and must therefore be considered a component of the circadian timing system. The aim of this paper is to review the literature addressing the involvement of serotonin in the modulation of circadian rhythm.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

CORRELAÇÕES GEOQUÍMICAS ENTRE AMOSTRAS DE PETRÓLEO DA BACIA POTIGUAR E DEFINIÇÃO DE SUAS POSSÍVEIS ROCHAS GERADORAS

Eight petroleum samples from Potiguar Basin were submitted for determination of saturated biomarkers by gas chromatography (fingerprint), liquid chromatography (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nickel and vanadium by high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF AAS). The geochemical parameters provided information on type of depositional paleoenvironment in which organic matter that gave rise to each oil sample and level of thermal maturation reached by generating rocks that make up the Potiguar Basin were deposited. The relationships between the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and between Ni and V concentrations of each petroleum sample were also evaluated. The evaluations separated for oil samples into two distinct groups. Group 1 formed by samples P1, P2, P5 and P8, with characteristics of generating rock that was deposited in a marine hypersaline environment. Group 2 composed of samples P3, P4, P6 and P7 with freshwater lacustrine depositional paleoenvironment, which were elucidated through the geochemical parameters studied. The hierarchical cluster analysis was presented as promising chemometric tool for characterization of petroleum samples in the according to their origin of the generating rock by ratio parameters of hopane/sterane , tetracyclic polyiprenoids/diastereomers and diastereos R+S/cholestane R+S

GEOCHEMICAL CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PETROLEUM SAMPLES FROM THE POTIGUAR BASIN AND DEFINITION OF THEIR POSSIBLE GENERATING ROCKS

<p></p><p>Eight petroleum samples from Potiguar Basin were submitted for determination of saturated biomarkers by gas chromatography (fingerprint), liquid chromatography (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nickel and vanadium by high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF AAS). The geochemical parameters provided information on type of depositional paleoenvironment in which organic matter that gave rise to each oil sample and level of thermal maturation reached by generating rocks that make up the Potiguar Basin were deposited. The relationships between the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and between Ni and V concentrations of each petroleum sample were also evaluated. The evaluations separated for oil samples into two distinct groups. Group 1 formed by samples P1, P2, P5 and P8, with characteristics of generating rock that was deposited in a marine hypersaline environment. Group 2 composed of samples P3, P4, P6 and P7 with freshwater lacustrine depositional paleoenvironment, which were elucidated through the geochemical parameters studied. The hierarchical cluster analysis was presented as promising chemometric tool for characterization of petroleum samples in the according to their origin of the generating rock by ratio parameters of hopane/sterane , tetracyclic polyiprenoids/diastereomers and diastereos R+S/cholestane R+S.</p><p></p