Nitric oxide, a neuronal messenger. Its role in the hippocampus neuronal plasticity

Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical gas, has recently been recognized as an important messenger molecule having a neurotransmitter-like function. Studies on the localization of the enzyme synthesizing NO (NO synthase-NOS) have indicated its presence in almost all parts of the brain with a prevalence in the cerebellum. From recent experimental investigations it is apparent that NO might meet the essential criteria to function as a retrograde messenger for Long-term potentiation in hippocampal cells, a process known to be involved in mammalian learning and memory. However, within the hippocampus NO is present in a few cell types which probably form the local neuronal circuit. Thus NO might function as a paracrine factor rather than a retrograde messenger in the hippocampal neurons

Calcium binding proteins mediate dioxin-induced motor deficit in sheep

Introduction: Sheep from environmental dioxin contaminated areas show motor discoordination suggesting a pathophysiology in cerebellar function. Since Calcium binding proteins are known to play a role in the Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons and during neurotransmission, we have investigated the role of these proteins in motor deficits in dioxin exposed adult and neonate sheep. We present herein the study of the expression patterns of Calcium binding proteins, Calbindin (CB) and Parvalbumin (PV) in cerebellum of adult and neonatal sheep chronically exposed to dioxin in comparison with those in cerebellum of sheep from uncontaminated area of the Campania Region. Methods: Sheep environmentally exposed to chronic dioxin were obtained from Acerra of Campania Region and the uncontaminated control sheep were from Chiusano S. Domenico of the same Region. Cerebella from control and dioxin-exposed adults and neonates were fixed in paraformaldehyde and processed for immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, using polyclonal primary antibodies against PV and CB, biotin-avidin detection system using DAB as chromogen. Results: In control animals CB and PV showed specific and different staining patterns in adult and neonatal cerebellum but those in neonates were uniformly more intense than those in adults. Both CB and PV expressions decreased in dioxin exposed cerebellum of adult and neonatal sheep in most cerebellar subpopulations of both stages. Significantly, the fibres of white matter in adult and neonate showed uniformly increased CB and PV expression in animals from dioxin contaminated area. Conclusions: Present results confirm that CB and PV expressions are altered in majority of the cerebellar neurones in chronic environmental dioxin-exposed animals and dioxin is possibly responsible for the pathophysiology of their cerebellum. Thus modifications in the expression patterns of calcium binding proteins could be one of the mechanisms by which environmental dioxin alters the functional aspects of the cerebellar circuit inducing motor and ambulatory deficits. Approved by the Veterinary Scientific Committee of the University of Naples Federico II (art. 3 D.LVO 116/ 92

RNN model-based classification of wireless capsule endoscopy bleeding images

WCE (wireless capsule endoscopy) is a technique that may be used to diagnose gastrointestinal issues and provide painless gut imaging. Regardless, a variety of variables, such as effectiveness, tolerance, safety, and performance, make widespread use and modification challenging. Furthermore, automated analysis of the WCE data is essential for detecting anomalies. When a patient's digestive system is imaged using WCE, a vast amount of data is generated and these challenges have been addressed using a variety of computer assisted and vision-based technologies, but they do not achieve the essential level of precision, and further work is required. With this work, the goal is to create a system that can automatically analyze WCE images to identify problems and assist practitioners in making right diagnoses. Finally, a comparison of SODM-S1 with SODM shows that by modifying features to increase spatial dependency, our suggested technique may really improve model performance

Expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the choroid plexuses from buffalo brain

Choroid plexuses (CPs) play pivotal roles in a wide range of processes that establish, survey, and maintain the biochemical and cellular status of the central nervous system. Mammalian CPs contain a very high density of serotonin receptors, and serotonin has been shown to affect CP functions. The serotonin transporter (SERT) regulates the entire serotonergic system, including serotonin receptors by means of modulation of serotonin concentration in the extracellular fluid. In this study, the expression of SERT in the CPs from the brain of a mammalian species, Bubalis bubalis, was established. By immunogold labeling in scanning electron microscopy, SERT immunoreactivity was found to be localized on the apical surface of the choroid epithelium. In particular, SERT positivity was detected on the apical portion of villi, and both on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of grouped cells on the surface of the choroid epithelium. Significantly, no SERT was detected in blood vessels irrigating the CPs. The expression of SERT mRNA transcripts of 440 bp in the CPs was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting analysis revealed the presence of three isoforms of the protein with molecular masses of approximately 70, 80, and 140 kDa, respectively, probably corresponding to differently glycosylated SERT. Our findings provide the first report of SERT detection in the CPs of buffalo brain and indicate that this protein is locally synthesized from the choroid epithelial cells. We suggest that SERT might have an important role in mammalian CPs, possibly regulating the serotonin flow between brain and rest of the body