Oligodendrocytes and myelin limit neuronal plasticity in visual cortex.

Developmental myelination is a protracted process in the mammalian brain. One theory for why oligodendrocytes mature so slowly posits that myelination may stabilize neuronal circuits and temper neuronal plasticity as animals age. We tested this theory in the visual cortex, which has a well-defined critical period for experience-dependent neuronal plasticity.

Activation of Shh/Smo is sufficient to maintain oligodendrocyte precursor cells in an undifferentiated state and is not necessary for myelin formation and (re)myelination.

Myelination is the terminal step in a complex and precisely timed program that orchestrates the proliferation, migration and differentiation of oligodendroglial cells. It is thought that Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) acting on Smoothened (Smo) participates in regulating this process, but that these effects are highly context dependent. Here, we investigate oligodendroglial development and remyelination from three specific transgenic lines: NG2-Cre (control), Smo/NG2-Cre (loss of function), and SmoM2/NG2-Cre (gain of function), as well as pharmacological manipulation that enhance or inhibit the Smo pathway (Smoothened Agonist (SAG) or cyclopamine treatment, respectively).

ApTOLL: A new therapeutic aptamer for cytoprotection and (re)myelination after multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: ApTOLL is an aptamer selected to antagonize toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a relevant actor for innate immunity involved in inflammatory responses in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases. The currently available therapeutic arsenal to treat MS is composed of immunomodulators but, to date, there are no (re)myelinating drugs available in clinics. In our present study, we studied the effect of ApTOLL on different animal models of MS.

Synaptic injury in the inner plexiform layer of the retina is associated with progression in multiple sclerosis.

While neurodegeneration underlies the pathological basis for permanent disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), predictive biomarkers for progression are lacking. Using an animal model of chronic MS, we find that synaptic injury precedes neuronal loss and identify thinning of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) as an early feature of inflammatory demyelination-prior to symptom onset. As neuronal domains are anatomically segregated in the retina and can be monitored longitudinally, we hypothesize that thinning of the IPL could represent a biomarker for progression in MS.

Adolescent oligodendrogenesis and myelination restrict experience-dependent neuronal plasticity in adult visual cortex.

Background: Developmental myelination is a protracted process in the mammalian brain. One theory for why oligodendrocytes mature so slowly posits that myelination may stabilize neuronal circuits and temper neuronal plasticity as animals age. We tested this hypothesis in the visual cortex, which has a well-defined critical period for experience-dependent neuronal plasticity.

Remyelination by preexisting oligodendrocytes: Glass half full or half empty?

The central dogma in remyelination states that the primary cellular source for myelin repair are the oligodendrocyte precursor cells. In this issue of Neuron, Mezydlo et al. highlight the potential of preexisting oligodendrocytes as an alternative, albeit minor, source for new myelin, with implications for demyelinating disorder research and therapies.

The combination of e-bike-sharing and demand-responsive transport systems in rural areas: A case study of Velenje.

An analysis of the operational characteristics of the transit system serving the town of Velenje (Slovenia) revealed poor performance and the need for improvements. This paper describes the potential integration of an electric bike-sharing system and a semi-flexible demand-responsive transport system to effectively solve this issue. Additionally, general guidance is provided for transit systems with low travel demand.

The integration of passenger and freight transport for first-last mile operations.

The "First-Last Mile" problem (FLM) is a relevant transport issue. According to the Green Paper on Urban Mobility, the combination of passenger and freight flows may be a valid approach to promote sustainable, efficient and socially desirable FLM transport. This paper proposes a set of key performance indicators to evaluate potential improvements in operational, environmental and social performances of integrated passenger and freight flows, compared to the current transport schemes.

Somatostatin Serves a Modulatory Role in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb: Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Evidence.

Somatostatin (SOM) and somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-4) are present in all olfactory structures, including the olfactory bulb (OB), where SOM modulates physiological gamma rhythms and olfactory discrimination responses. In this work, histological, viral tracing and transgenic approaches were used to characterize SOM cellular targets in the murine OB. We demonstrate that SOM targets all levels of mitral dendritic processes in the OB with somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) detected in the dendrites of previously uncharacterized mitral-like cells.

Uterine Fibroid Torsion during Pregnancy: A Case of Laparotomic Myomectomy at 18 Weeks' Gestation with Systematic Review of the Literature.

Uterine myomas are the most common benign growths affecting female reproductive system, occurring in 20-40% of women, whereas the incidence rate in pregnancy is estimated from 0.1 to 3.9%.

Aging, but not tau pathology, impacts olfactory performances and somatostatin systems in THY-Tau22 mice.

Somatostatin (SOM) cortical levels decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in correlation with cognitive impairment severity, the latter being closely related to the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. Impaired olfaction is another hallmark of AD tightly related to tau pathology in the olfactory pathways. Recent studies showed that SOM modulates olfactory processing, suggesting that alterations in SOM levels participate to olfactory deficits in AD.

Association between follicular fluid leptin and serum insulin levels in nonoverweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aims: We evaluated the links between leptin and visfatin levels and fertilization rates in nonoverweight (NOW) women with PCOS (NOW-PCOS) from Apulia undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF).

Materials And Methodology: We recruited 16 NOW women with PCOS (NOW-PCOS) and 10 normally ovulating NOW women (control-NOW). All women underwent IVF.

Creating competent health-care specialists: the Swiss school of public health.

The Swiss health-care system (the second most expensive worldwide) is fragmented into 26 cantonal authorities for a population of 7.5 million. Cantons differ in policy, legislation and structure.

Mouse spermine oxidase gene splice variants. Nuclear subcellular localization of a novel active isoform.

Spermine oxidase (SMO) is a flavoenzyme involved in polyamine homeostasis in animal cells. The mouse spermine oxidase gene (mSMO) codes for splice variants, including the previously reported major active isoform, herein named alfa (alpha). In the present work, eight additional gene splicing variants were characterized.

Inactivation of copper-containing amine oxidases by turnover products.

For bovine serum amine oxidase, two different mechanisms of substrate-induced inactivation have been proposed. One consists of a slow oxidation by H2O2 of a conserved residue in the reduced enzyme after the fast turnover phase [Pietrangeli, P., Nocera, S.

The contingency of contingent valuation. How much are people willing to pay against Alzheimer's disease?

The present work focuses on the choice of the elicitation technique within a contingent valuation (CV) framework. We simultaneously apply three different elicitation techniques to elicit willingness-to-pay (WTP) values for three programs against Alzheimer's disease. First, the dichotomous choice approach is used, which is the standard procedure.

Is the catalytic mechanism of bacteria, plant, and mammal copper-TPQ amine oxidases identical?

This short review is mostly concerned with the work carried out in Rome on the copper amine oxidase from bovine serum (BSAO). The first target was the copper oxidation state and its relationship with the organic cofactor. It was found that copper is not reduced on reaction with amines under anaerobic conditions or along the catalytic cycle and that it is not within bonding distance of the quinone cofactor.

New perspectives on the role of amine oxidases in physiopathology.

In the paper here presented we summarize some results obtained in our laboratory in the last few years on new structural and functional aspects of some amine oxidases (AOs), which have to be taken into consideration in defining new strategies of controlling the cellular physiopathology. In particular, the ability of Cu-AO purified from vegetal sources or from bovine serum to bind different cellular targets inducing in them conformational as well as chemical modifications are described and the consequences of this interaction on cellular functions are discussed. This is the case of the protective effect of Cu-AO against the damage induced by free radicals, cell enrichment with Cu-AO, induction of cataract and the leukocyte-endothelia interaction.

Tyramine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors as modulators of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition.

Incubation of rat liver mitochondria with 100-500 mM tyramine, a substrate for monoamine oxidases A and B (MAOs), in the presence of 30 mM Ca2+ induces matrix swelling, accompanied by collapse of membrane potential, efflux of endogenous Mg2+ and accumulated Ca2+ and oxidation of endogenous pyridine nucleotides. These effects are completely abolished in the presence of cyclosporin A, ADP, dithioerythritol and N-ethylmaleimide, thus confirming the induction of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT). The observed partial protective effect exerted by catalase indicates the involvement of both MAO-derived hydrogen peroxide and aldehyde.