Treatment with paclitaxel by four intraperitoneal injections (20 mg/kg) 1 week apart attenuated clinical signs in a spontaneously demyelinating model, if given with onset of clinical signs. If given at 2 months of age (1 month prior to clinical signs), disease was almost completely prevented The astrogliosis, prominent in our model, was reversed by paditaxel as determined by astrocyte counts and quantitation of GFAP. Electron microscopic examination of affected regions at 2.5 months demonstrated that the myelin was generally normal. By 4 months of age, demyelination was common in the superior cerebellar peduncle, maximal at 6 months, but continued to 8 months. In addition to myelin vacuolation and nude axons, the presence of many thin myelin sheaths suggested remyelination or partial demyelination. Although no evidence of oligodendrocyte loss was seen, nuclear changes were observed. To substantiate that remyelination was occurring, we measured MBP (18.5 kDa), MBP-exon II, Golli-MBP, TP8, Golli-MBP-J37, platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFR alpha) and sonic hedgehog (SHH). Of these TP8, PDGFR alpha and SHH were up-regulated in the untreated transgenic. After paditaxel treatment, MBP-Exon II, TP8, PDGFR alpha and SHH were further up-regulated. We concluded that some of the effects of paditaxel were to stimulate proteins involved in early myelinating events possibly via a signal transduction mechanism.

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The Krong No volcanic caves at the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark (Dak Nong UGGp) were discovered in 2007. Between 2017 and the present, they were comprehensively studied and evaluated for heritage value from the perspectives of geology, biology and cultural studies. These primitive, endogenic caves are characterized by rich and diverse interior formations, representing seven types of geological heritage as classified by the UNESCO and its GILGES classification system. The applicable types are A (Paleontology), B (Geomorphology), C (Paleo-Environment), D (Rock), E (Stratigraphy), F (Minerals), and I (Tectonics). The cave system’s wildlife is highly diverse and includes a number of newly discovered species endemic to Krong No. Thanks to research and excavation work, many types of archaeological artifacts have been discovered in the Krong No volcanic caves, including relics of residence, a tool-making site, burial artifacts, a makeshift hunting camp, and some artifacts possibly expressive of religious ritual. All of these are unique, valuable and rare. The various types of heritage discovered in the Krong No volcanic caves constitute the premise of an on-site conservation museum, established to promote heritage of value, teaching and scholarship, as well as community education and recreation. This article introduces a new direction for further research, related to the development of an on-site conservation museum of the volcanic cave heritage in the context of sustainable socio-economic development.