Paolo Manca

Comparative Bone Histology of Adult Horses (Equus caballus) and Cows (Bos taurus)

Bone microstructure of domestic herbivores is still not completely understood. Indeed, works focused on the bone histology of numerous Mammalian species frequently led to misunderstandings because of the high number of variations such as the kind of bone, section orientation, species, breed and age. Moreover, attempts to identify the species in archaeozoological studies by a mere qualitative approach have not been encouraging and in recent years quantitative methods, based on image processing and statistical analysis, have appeared. The present study was undertaken to determine whether morphometrical and morphological differences exist in the compact bone structure of the femur and humerus between horses and cows. Measurements such as area, perimeter, minimum and maximum diameter of osteons and Haversian canals as well as the osteonal density were carried out on cross sections of eight humeri and eight femurs of the two herbivores investigated. In agreement with other authors, the qualitative investigation confirmed that the compact bone of horses and cows can be classified as dense Haversian tissue. Osteons of the horse were more numerous and composed of a higher number of well‐defined lamellae when compared with the cow. Diameter, perimeter and area of osteons and Haversian canals were always higher in horses than in cows and this pattern could be related to the different locomotor behaviour of these animals.

Morphological and functional changes induced by the amino acid analogue 3-nitrotyrosine in mouse neuroblastoma and rat glioma cell lines

The amino acid analogue 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) is formed in neural cells as a result of the intense stimulation of NMDA glutamate receptors. 3-NT is involved in the pathology of diverse neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of our work is to investigate the sensitivity of cultured neural and glial cells to 3-NT. We report the morphological changes detected on mouse neuroblastoma (C1300) and rat glioma (C6) cell lines cultured in a medium supplemented with different 3-NT concentrations. Western blot displayed a selective incorporation of 3-NT into a single protein that co-migrated with tubulin. Both cell lines showed morphological changes, nuclear suffering, decreased viability and growth inhibition (starting from 90 and 360 microM for C1300 and C6, respectively). Such effects were dose-dependent, though glioma cells showed severe alterations at higher 3-NT concentrations. Our results point out a higher 3-NT sensitivity in the neural cells studied in comparison with those of glial origin. The dramatic toxicity of 3-NT in neural cells suggests further investigations focused on the biochemical mechanisms at the roots of neurodegenerative diseases.

Ancient Pompeian Dogs – Morphological and Morphometric Evidence for Different Canine Populations

This article examines the morphological features of the dog during the Roman Age on the basis of osseous and dental remains dug up in Pompeii. The material, consisting of 113 canine bones and teeth, was subjected to both morphological and morphometrical analyses and was compared with modern canine breeds. In most cases, the age at death, shoulder height and other phenotypic features were ascertained. The examined Pompeian canine population fell mainly into two categories: small‐ and large‐sized animals. Among the former, one brachycephalic and two dolichocephalic subjects were included. Such morphological features agree with what is described in numerous texts and appears in mosaics, bas‐reliefs and frescoes of the Roman Age. As small‐sized dogs cannot be classified as Canes Venatici (sporting dogs), Canes Villatici (watch dogs) and Canes Pastorales (shepherd dogs) according to Columellas De re rustica, these animals may be considered as lapdogs.

Involvement of trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus in kinetic encoding of whisker movements

In previous experiments performed on anaesthetised rats, we demonstrated that whisking neurons responsive to spontaneous movement of the macrovibrissae are located within the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Me5) and that retrograde tracers injected into the mystacial pad of the rat muzzle extensively labelled a number of Me5 neurons. In order to evaluate the electrophysiological characteristics of the Me5-whisker pad neural connection, the present study analysed the Me5 neurons responses to artificial whisking induced by electrical stimulation of the peripheral stump of the facial nerve. Furthermore, an anterograde tracer was injected into the Me5 to identify and localise the peripheral terminals of these neurons in the mystacial structures. The electrophysiological data demonstrated that artificial whisking induced Me5 evoked potentials as well as single and multiunit Me5 neurons responses consistent with a direct connection. Furthermore, the neuroanatomical findings showed that the peripheral terminals of the Me5 stained neurons established direct connections with the upper part of the macrovibrissae, at the conical body level, with fibres spiralling around the circumference of the vibrissae shaft. As for the functional role of this sensory innervation, we speculated that the Me5 neurons are possibly involved in encoding and relaying proprioceptive information related to vibrissae movements to other CNS structures.

Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase immunoreactivity and molecular expression in the cerebellar nuclei of adult male rats.

Several probes have been developed to identify steroidogenic activity in the brain of vertebrates. However, the presence of the cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (P450C(17)), an enzyme that converts pregnenolone and progesterone into dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, in specific areas of the cerebellum such as the deep cerebellar nuclei, remains virtually unexplored. Using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we found molecular expression of P450C(17) in the lateral, interposed and medial deep cerebellar nuclei. Moreover, double immunofluorescence procedures enabled localization of P450C(17) mainly in neurons, axons and glutamatergic synapses. Taken together, these data demonstrate the occurrence of P450C(17) in the deep cerebellar nuclei, and enable the chemical characterization of the cells that express the cytochrome.

Testosterone attenuates morpho-functional alterations by 2-methoxyestradiol exposure and induces differentiation in C6 cells.

2‐Methoxyestradiol (2ME) is a cytotoxic drug that interacts with tubulin and alters microtubule dynamics. It has been reported that testosterone (T) has a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress and induces differentiation in mouse C1300 neuroblastoma cells. Here, we investigated the ability of T to attenuate the cytotoxic effects of 2ME and to induce cell differentiation in an immortalized rat glial cell line, known as C6. C6 cells were exposed for 5 days to 5 µM 2ME, 50 nM T, or both. We evaluated the morphological changes, growth rate, vitality, catalase activity, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in control and treated C6 cells. Western blot analyses were used to quantify expression of tyrosinated tubulin (Tyr‐Tub), acetylated tubulin (Acet‐Tub), total α‐tubulin (TOT‐Tub), and GFAP. After 2ME exposure, the cells displayed a globular, shrunken shape, and retraction or absence of cytoplasmic processes; moreover, 2ME treatment significantly decreased cell growth, cell viability, catalase activity, and expression of both Tyr‐Tub and Acet‐Tub. However, when T was added, the cells exhibited a glial‐like shape, elongated cell processes, and enhanced cell growth, cell vitality, catalase activity, and GFAP immunoreactivity. Densitometric values of Tyr‐Tub, Acet‐Tub, and GFAP increased significantly when T was present, while Tot‐Tub values were unaltered. These results indicate that, in C6 cells, T: (i) attenuated the morpho‐functional changes caused by 2ME exposure; (ii) induced glial differentiation; and (iii) exerted a direct action on the microtubule system. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1510–1518, 2011.