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Ciliated and non-ciliated mechanosensory cells in invertebrates have intricate cytoskeletal structures that, combined with microtubules, act as a mechanical link between external stimulus and signal processing. As a result, they can perceive forces like touch, cuticle deformation, gravity and sound. Through the expression of antibodies against serotonin (5-HT), calbindin, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and a-smooth muscle actin (aSMA), this research aims to investigate mechanosensory cells in the integument of Lumbricus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) in an evolutionary perspective. In the epidermis, we discovered isolated mechanosensory cells that were immunopositive to every antibody examined. Our findings improve the knowledge and the evolution of annelid sensory biology adding new insights on the sensory signal transduction and help to better understand the morpho-structural adaptations of invertebrate skin on an evolutionary scale and to give more taxonomic data for species distinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shell of bivalves acts as structural support, defence against predators, stressors, and maintenance of homeostasis. Haemocytes and mantle epithelial cells participate in shell formation. Mantle epithelial cells produce the organic matrix of the shell and are associated with biomineralization because of their proximity to the shell surface and ability to maintain shell deposition ex vivo. Haemocytes play an immunological role and are involved in Ca2+ and CO32- intracellular transport implicated in shell mineralization. This study aims to evaluate the expression of molecules that play key roles in internal defence and the nervous system, in epithelial cells and haemocytes of the outer mantle margin of two species of bivalves, Polititapes aureus Gmelin, 1791 and Cerastoderma glaucum Bruguière, 1789, to highlight their collaborative role in shell formation. Our data show for the first time the presence of serotonin/S100 protein, and TLR2/iNOS colocalization in the haemocytes and mantle epithelial cells of P. aureus and C. glaucum , suggesting that the mantle cells perform their canonical role of sensory and biomineralizing activity, while the haemocytes perform their typical immune function, and their collaboration in shell formation, providing new information on cellular interactions in shell formation and giving more details for taxonomical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During adolescence, parental and peer support and emotional intelligence (EI) may play a protective role against the risk of becoming a victim of bullying. This study aims to assess the role of perceived parental and peer support in promoting individual EI, reducing the risk of victimisation. The sample consisted of 348 Italian middle and high school students. Victimisation risk, perceived parental and peer support, and EI were measured using questionnaires. A cross-sectional study and a Structural Equation Model with latent variables were conducted to assess the mediating role of EI in perceived parental and peer support and victimisation risk. Results indicated that EI fully mediated the association between perceived parent (β =.20, p ≤.001) and peer support (β =.10, p ≤.01) and victimisation risk. These data suggest the need to structure training to promote support in the social and family context to increase students' EI and thus reduce the risk of victimisation among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertebrates show great diversity in their responses to neural damage. Numerous invertebrate phyla, including gastropods, can replace all or a portion of their nervous systems. Aplysia species have been utilized extensively in toxicology, ecology, and neuroscience because their neurological systems react to bodily harm by releasing trophic substances that can stimulate non-neural tissue regeneration and induce changes in the nervous system. This study aims to assess the putative role of hemocytes of Aplysia depilans (Gmelin, 1791) by analyzing the presence of Toll-like receptor 2, inducible nitric oxide synthetase, and, in particular, vimentin and α-tubulin, molecules potentially implicated in the process of neural regeneration. The results demonstrate that all the aforementioned proteins are present in hemocytes, suggesting their role in the defense response and their possible contribution to the neuronal regeneration process of this gastropod. These data provide deeper insight into the internal defense system of this mollusk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common goldfish is the most widespread teleosts in the world. Due to its peculiar characteristics, such as the high resistance, easy availability and stabulation, and for its evolutionary characteristics, this fish lends itself to be one of the most used experimental models. This study aimed to characterize the mast cells in the intestine of Carassius auratus using anti‐TLR‐2, anti‐S100, anti‐VIP, anti‐serotonin (5‐HT) and anti‐Piscidin antibodies. The intestine of goldfish, like that of all vertebrates, plays an important role in the immunology of the animal. The gut‐associated lymphoid tissue GALT is an immune component containing several specific cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages and mast cells. In addition, the presence of goblet cells in the intestinal epithelium strengthens the defence system, secreting many cytokines and chemokines and displaying antibacterial properties. Our results show mast cells labelled with antibodies that are highly conserved between fish and mammals, demonstrating an active role of these cells in the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune system of teleosts offers many ideas to deepen the immune mechanisms and cells in general. The use of zebrafish as an experimental model is increased in recent years, thanks to its genetic and anatomical characteristics. It is known that several natural compounds exert an action on the immune system, boosting it. Spirulina, a non-toxic blue-green alga, has been declared a superfood for its peculiar biological activities. In this study, we test the immunostimulant effect of spirulina on zebrafish liver macrophages by immunohistochemical analysis using optical and confocal microscopy. Our results have shown an increase in the number of macrophages after feeding with spirulina, furthermore, this natural 'superfood' can induce macrophages aggregation. These data not only provide information on the possible effect of this alga as a complementary feed on the immune cells of teleost, but also improve the knowledge of the immune mechanisms of vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegeneration is a degenerative process characterized by the progressive loss of the structure and function of neurons that involves several immune cells. It is the primary cause of dementia and other several syndromes, known as neurodegenerative diseases. These disorders are age-related and it is estimated that by 2040 there will be approximately 81.1 million people suffering from these diseases. In addition to the traditional pharmacological therapy, in recent years nutraceuticals, naturally based compounds with a broad spectrum of biological effects: anti-aging, antioxidants, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, etc., assumed an important role in counteracting these pathologies. In particular, several compounds such as astaxanthin, baicalein, glycyrrhizin, St. John's wort, and Ginkgo biloba L. extracts show particular neuroprotective and immunomodulatory abilities, involving several immune cells and some neurotransmitters that play a critical role in neurodegeneration, making them particularly useful in improving the symptoms and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of natural compounds as adjuvant treatments and alternatives to traditional pharmacological therapies has become increasingly popular. These compounds have a wide range of biological effects, such as: antioxidant, anti-aging, hypocholesterolizing, hypoglycemic, antitumoral, antidepressant, anxiolytic activity, etc. Almost all of these compounds are easily available and are contained in different foods. At the end of 2019 the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 appeared in China and quickly spread throughout the world, causing a pandemic. The most common symptoms of this infection are dry cough, fever, dyspnea, and in severe cases bilateral interstitial pneumonia, with consequences that can lead to death. The nations, in trying to prevent the spread of infection, have imposed social distancing and lockdown measures on their citizens. This had a strong psychological-social impact, leading to phobic, anxious and depressive states. Pharmacological therapy could be accompanied by treatment with several natural compounds, such as vitamins, baicalein, zinc and essential oils. These compounds possess marked immunostimulant activity, strengthening the immune response and mitigating interactions between the virus and the host cell. They also have an antidepressant effect, acting on certain neurotransmitters. Highlight how several nutraceuticals may have an immunostimulant and antidepressant effect on Covid-19 symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases afflict a significant percentage of the world's population. The human nervous system is unable to regenerate after an insult, or due to senility, while low vertebrates still exhibit this ability. Comparative neurobiology can increase knowledge about neuronal degeneration and regeneration. Anamni vertebrates retain the ability to regenerate up to large areas of the nervous system. The regenerative ability of central nervous system components depends on the phylogenetic distance between classes of vertebrates. It decreases during evolution. Teleosts can skilfully regenerate brain, spinal cord and retina. Amphibians and reptiles can only regenerate certain areas; spinal cord regeneration in reptiles is limited to axonal regrowth. Retina regeneration is possible in bird embryo but not in the adult. In this review, we analyse how the regeneration of neurons occurs in different classes of vertebrates, and how the study of these mechanisms could be applied to the search for new therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the relationship between telocytes (TCs) and immune cells, particularly the expression of S100 protein, in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), finding that TCs are involved in the inflammatory response, and their presence decreases in fibrotic areas correlating.