Our findings suggest that calcium mediated toxicity is primary to the cause and progression of Parkinsonism and targeting receptors that primarily modulates calcium reduces the morphological and behavioral deficits in drug induced Parkinsonism. VDR activation was more effective than NMDAR inhibition and a combined intervention. We conclude that targeting VDR is key for controlling calcium toxicity in drug/chemotoxin induced Parkinsonism.

SUMMARY:Palmaris longus (PL) muscle, although of little functional use to the human upper limb, assumes great importance when used as a donor tendon for transfer or transplant. The surgeon's awareness of the incidence in a population is therefore desirable. In the present study, 500 Medical students (242 males and 258 females) of ages 16 to 40 years from both College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba and Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja were examined for the presence or absence of the PL tendon, using the conventional (Schaffer's) test. The prevalence and pattern of PL agenesis was further analyzed statistically for differences in the prevalence or pattern of PL agenesis with regard to body side or sex. The prevalence of PL agenesis was found to be 12.6% (8% Unilateral and 4.6% Bilateral). Out of those with unilateral agenesis, 20 (4%) had left-sided agenesis and 20 (4%) had rightsided agenesis. Although female subjects had a prevalence of agenesis of PL tendon (Unilateral and Bilateral combined) of 36 out of 258, (13.95%) while in male subjects this prevalence was 23 out of 242 (9.5%). The prevalence of PL muscle agenesis in this study was found to be much higher than the reported average for blacks (2-3%).

Objectives Growing interest has been reported on the health benefits of fermented foods, which includes cognition enhancement and inflammation attenuation. BDNF is a known protectant against retinal degeneration, however, therapies that target this neurotrophic factor has been limited. Therefore, we assessed the reaction of BDNF and glial cells in glaucomatous rats and their response to treatment with fermented maize products. Methods Thirty male adult rats were either injected via the episcleral vein with hypertonic saline to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) or treated with fermented maize slurry (Ogi) or its supernatant (Omidun). Following sacrifice, the retina and duodenum were studied by immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies directed against GFAP, AIF-1 and BDNF. Results Hypertonic saline injection produced hypertrophy of the Müller cells and increased GFAP and AIF-1 expression in the retina and gut when compared to the control. Treatment with Ogi and Omidun produced varying degrees of reduction of gliosis, protection against hypertonic saline-induced retinal ganglion cell loss, and reduced intraocular pressure. BDNF expression was downregulated following the hypertonic saline assault, while Omidun and Ogi treatment abrogated its reduction following the hypertonic saline assault. Conclusions Collectively, our findings suggest that acute elevation of IOP alters crosstalk between gut and retina with consequent aberrant activation of glial cells; and that probiotic bacteria like the lactic acid bacteria rich in fermented foods including Ogi and Omidun may offer neuroprotection to the ganglionic cells by attenuating the retinal glial reaction and improving BDNF activity.

Objectives GABA and glutamate neurotransmission play critical roles in both the neurobiology of depression and cognition; and Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is reported to support brain health. The present study investigated the effect of VCO on depression-associated cognitive deficits in mice. Methods Thirty male mice divided into five groups were either exposed to chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) protocol for 28 days or pre-treated with 3 mL/kg b. wt. of VCO for 21 days or post-treated with 3 mL/kg b. wt. of VCO for 21 days following 28 days of CUMS exposure. Mice were subjected to behavioural assessments for depressive-like behaviours and short-term memory, and thereafter euthanised. Hippocampal tissue was dissected from the harvested whole brain for biochemical and immunohistochemical evaluations. Results Our results showed that CUMS exposure produced depressive-like behaviours, cognitive deficits and altered hippocampal redox balance. However, treatment with VCO abrogated depression-associated cognitive impairment, and enhanced hippocampal antioxidant concentration. Furthermore, immunohistochemical evaluation revealed significant improvement in GABAA and mGluR1a immunoreactivity following treatment with VCO in the depressed mice. Conclusions Therefore, findings from this study support the dietary application of VCO to enhance neural resilience in patients with depression and related disorders.

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