Neuroprotective Effects of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries Occlusion Model of Cerebral Ischemia in Rat

Cell therapy is the most advanced treatment of the cerebral ischemia, nowadays. Herein, we discuss the neuroprotective effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on rat hippocampal cells following intravenous injection of these cells in an ischemia-reperfusion model. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, sham (surgery without blockage of common carotid arteries), ischemia (common carotid arteries were blocked for 30 min prior to reperfusion), vehicle (7 days after ischemia PBS was injected via the tail vein), and treatment (injections of BMSC into the tail veins 7 days after ischemia). We performed neuromuscular and vestibulomotor function tests to assess behavioral function and, finally, brains were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), anti-Brdu immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining. The ischemia group had severe apoptosis. The group treated with BMSCs had a lower mortality rate and also had significant improvement in functional recovery (P<0.001). Ischemia-reperfusion for 30 min causes damage and extensive neuronal death in the hippocampus, especially in CA1 and CA3 regions, leading to several functional and neurological deficits. In conclusion, intravenous injection of BMSCs can significantly decrease the number of apoptotic neurons and significantly improve functional recovery, which may be a beneficial treatment method for ischemic injuries. © 2016 Bagher Pourheydar et al

Alteration of the dopamine receptors� expression in the cerebellum of the lysosomal acid phosphatase 2 mutant (Naked�ataxia (nax)) mouse

A spontaneous mutation in the lysosomal acid phosphatase (Acp2) enzyme (nax: Naked� ataxia) in experimental mice results in delayed hair appearance and severe cytoarchitectural impairments of the cerebellum, such as a Purkinje cell (PC) migration defect. In our previous investigation, our team showed that Acp2 expression plans a significant role in cerebellar development. On the other hand, the dopaminergic system is also a player in central nervous system (CNS) development, including cerebellar structure and function. In the current investigation, we have explored how Acp2 can be involved in the regulation of the dopaminergic pathway in the cerebellum via the regulation of dopamine receptor expression and patterning. We provided evidence about the distribution of different dopamine receptors in the developing cerebellum by comparing the expression of dopamine receptors on postnatal days (P) 5 and 17 between nax mice and wild�type (wt) littermates. To this aim, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were conducted using five antibodies against dopamine receptors (DRD1, �2, �3, �4, and �5) accompanied by RNAseq data. Our results revealed that DRD1, �3, and �4 gene expressions significantly increased in nax cerebella but not in wt, while gene expressions of all 5 receptors were evident in PCs of both wt and nax cerebella. DRD3 was strongly expressed in the PCs� somata and cerebellar nuclei neurons at P17 in nax mice, which was comparable to the expression levels in the cerebella of wt littermates. In addition, DRD3 was expressed in scattered cells in a granular layer reminiscent of Golgi cells and was observed in the wt cerebella but not in nax mice. DRD4 was expressed in a subset of PCs and appeared to align with the unique parasagittal stripes pattern. This study contributes to our understanding of alterations in the expression pattern of DRDs in the cerebellum of nax mice in comparison to their wt littermates, and it highlights the role of Acp2 in regulating the dopaminergic system. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Validating the suinn-lew Asian self-identity acculturation scale among middle Eastern Migrants: Linear versus orthogonal approaches

The current study aimed at validating the 26-item Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation scale (SL-ASIA) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in first-generation young adult Middle Eastern (ME) migrants, and also exploring the agreement between the outcomes of linear and orthogonal approaches of acculturation using SL-ASIA. The CFA and convergent and discriminant validity measures were employed to validate the original linear SL-ASIA and the subsequently designed orthogonal SL-ASIA for first-generation young adult ME migrants in Australia (n = 382). Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between classifica-tions obtained by the linear and orthogonal methods of measuring acculturation. The CFAs of the initial six-factor 21-item linear scale and the two-factor five-item orthogonal scale indicated poor fits. However, after model specification and validation, satisfac-tory fit and validity indices were achieved for the modified scales. The validated linear SL-ASIA comprised five factors and 15 items, and the validated orthogonal SL-ASIA comprised two factors and four items. The Kappa coefficient showed a high level of consistency between the linear and orthogonal models of acculturation, confirming that the use of either scale can lead to similar research out-comes. The study also supports the use of the validated linear and/or orthogonal scales to measure acculturation. This finding responds to the existing gap in the literature that until now, no acculturation scale is validated for ME migrants, and also no study is conducted to validate the orthogonal SL-ASIA

Lithium attenuated the depressant and anxiogenic effect of juvenile social stress through mitigating the negative impact of interlukin-1β and nitric oxide on hypothala...

Abstract—The neuroimmune-endocrine dysfunction has been accepted as one of fundamental mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the involvement of hypothalamic–pituitary–adre nal (HPA) axis, interleukin-1b, and nitrergic system in mediating the negative behavioral impacts of juvenile social isolation stress (SIS) in male mice. We also investigated the possible protective effects of lithium on behavioral and neurochemical changes in socially isolated animals. Results showed that experiencing 4-weeks of juvenile SIS provoked depressive and anxiety-like behaviors that were associated with hyper responsiveness of HPA axis, upregulation of interleukin-1b, and nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in the pre-frontal cortex and hippocampus. Administration of lithium (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the depressant and anxiogenic effects of SIS in behavioral tests. Lithium also restored the negative effects of SIS on cortical and hippocampal interleukin-1b and NO as well as HPA axis deregulation. Unlike the neutralizing effects of L-arginine (NO precursor), administration of L-NAME (3 mg/kg) and aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg) potentiated the positive effects of lithium on the behavioral and neurochemical profile of isolated mice. In conclusion, our results revealed that juvenile SIS-induced behavioral deficits are associated with abnormalities in HPA-immune function. Also, we suggest that alleviating effects of lithium on behavioral profile of isolated mice may be partly mediated by mitigating the negative impact of NO on HPA-immune function. � 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserve

Urban megaprojects and water justice in Southeast Asia: Between global economies and community transitions

Available online 1 April 2021Within the Southeast Asian context, urban megaprojects are often delivered in aquatic or semi-aquatic contexts, transforming local hydrological systems used for sanitation, agriculture, sustenance, resource use and cultural purposes by the local populations. This paper addresses a key knowledge gap on the impacts of urban mega-projects on water security and water-related human rights in Southeast Asia through a literature review, field observations and digital earth observation. Three case studies in Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar were used to develop a picture of urban megaproject impacts on urban water landscapes and the human rights of local communities. The paper adapts recent human rights frameworks developed specifically for megaproject life cycles and applies them to the selected urban megaproject case studies. The seven stages in the megaproject life cycle are linked with specific accountability measures for duty bearers. Current challenges and opportunities for the global urban development community are developed in relation to water justice and megaprojects. Further the question of a just urban transition is developed to mediate between megaproject proponents and local communities in the Global South.Scott Hawken, Behnaz Avazpour, Mike S. Harris, Atousa Marzban, Paul George Munr

Biological and reproduction behaviour of Eleuthronema tetradactylum

In this study spawning season, brood stocks live place and biological behaviour of Eleutheronema tetradactylum (rashgoo) was identified in the coastal waters of Bushehr province, Persian Gulf from July. 2005 to Sep. 2006. During this time fish samples were collected by the gillnet or set net. With the mesh size of 9 and 25 Cm. A total of 93 fishes were examined in the fishery Research Centre laboratory, Standard length, total weight, gonad and hepatic weight were measured and histological studies on gonads were conducted in this period. Gonadosomatic index was calculated in the different seasons we showed significant differences between research seasons (P<0.05) the Maximum GSI was in winter and spring with (1-1/2 %) and minimum was in summer and autumn (/15-/22 %). In histological study of ovary had observed five stages in sections: IMMATURE, INITIAL MATURATION, ADVANCED MATURATION, MATURED and SPAWNED. And testicular tissues were showed three stages of the sperm development: Spermatogonia, Spermatocytes and Spermatides or sperm. This study had showed that Higher quantities of brood stock were caught in DAYER region of Bushehr province. The stomach contents observed that small fishes, shrimp and crab were feed by the caught fishes, it means that Eleutheronema tetradactylum (rashgoo).is a carnivorous fish. The results were obtained from this research showed that reproductive season in Four finger thread fine (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) (rashgoo) in the coastal waters of Bushehr was in the could seasons

Blockade of p75 neurotrophin receptor reverses irritability and anxiety-related behaviors in a rat model of status epilepticus

Background: Many recent epidemiological studies have shown that epileptic patients are more likely suffer from depression, anxiety, and irritability. However, the cellular mechanisms of epilepsy-induced psychotic behaviors are not fully elucidated. Neurotrophin receptors have been suggested to be involved in epilepsy and also in psychiatric disorders. Up-regulation of p75NTR expression and activation of p75NTR signalling cascades after the seizure have been shown, but the role of the p75 receptor in epilepsy-induced psychotic behaviors has not been documented so far. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the effect of p75 receptor blockade on seizure activity, irritability, and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of status epilepticus. Methods: Rats were injected with pilocarpine (350 mg/ kg, i.p.) to induce status epilepticus. Then various behavioral tests were performed after the blockade of p75NTR alone or in combination with p75 antagonist and phenobarbital. Molecular analysis by PCR was performed to investigate the expression of p75 and pro-NGF. Results: Molecular findings indicated a high level of mRNA expression for both p75 receptors and pro-NGF in the epileptic model group. Results also showed that the administration of p75 antagonist alone or in combination with phenobarbital was able to significantly influence the behavioral responses. Furthermore, 20-hours video monitoring showed a decrease in the frequency and duration of seizures in the rat group receiving p75 antagonist. Conclusion: Taken together, the present study suggests that the blockade of the p75 receptor may affect the irritability and anxiety-related behavior in a rat model of status epilepticus. © 2018, Pasteur Institute of Iran. All rights reserved

Blockade of p75 neurotrophin receptor reverses irritability and anxiety-related behaviors in a rat model of status epilepticus

Background: Many recent epidemiological studies have shown that epileptic patients are more likely suffer from depression, anxiety, and irritability. However, the cellular mechanisms of epilepsy-induced psychotic behaviors are not fully elucidated. Neurotrophin receptors have been suggested to be involved in epilepsy and also in psychiatric disorders. Up-regulation of p75NTR expression and activation of p75NTR signalling cascades after the seizure have been shown, but the role of the p75 receptor in epilepsy-induced psychotic behaviors has not been documented so far. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the effect of p75 receptor blockade on seizure activity, irritability, and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of status epilepticus. Methods: Rats were injected with pilocarpine (350 mg/ kg, i.p.) to induce status epilepticus. Then various behavioral tests were performed after the blockade of p75NTR alone or in combination with p75 antagonist and phenobarbital. Molecular analysis by PCR was performed to investigate the expression of p75 and pro-NGF. Results: Molecular findings indicated a high level of mRNA expression for both p75 receptors and pro-NGF in the epileptic model group. Results also showed that the administration of p75 antagonist alone or in combination with phenobarbital was able to significantly influence the behavioral responses. Furthermore, 20-hours video monitoring showed a decrease in the frequency and duration of seizures in the rat group receiving p75 antagonist. Conclusion: Taken together, the present study suggests that the blockade of the p75 receptor may affect the irritability and anxiety-related behavior in a rat model of status epilepticus. © 2018, Pasteur Institute of Iran. All rights reserved