Showing papers by "University of Catania published in 1976"
TL;DR: These experiments provide further direct evidence that deletions of critical areas of the γ-δ-β gene cluster result in persistent γ chain synthesis in adult life.
79 citations
TL;DR: The suggested HGH abnormalities in diabetes are a consequence of the metabolic disturbance and no difference was observed between newly diagnosed diabetics and patients known to have had diabetes for some years.
Abstract: We carried out contemporaneous daytime blood sugar and growth hormone (HGH) determinations in eight juvenile and six middle-aged diabetics under both poor and good metabolic control. A continuous blood sampling technic was used. The following results were obtained: 1. HGH values in poorly controlled diabetics were higher and more fluctuating than in normals of a corresponding age. 2. After good control was reached, a significant HGH decrease was observed in all patients but one. In this condition HGH levels were normalized in middle-aged diabetics but not in juvenile ones. In the latter group HGH values, even if decreased, were persistently higher than in controls of the same age. 3. No difference was observed between newly diagnosed diabetics and patients known to have had diabetes for some years. Our data support the suggestion that HGH abnormalities in diabetes are a consequence of the metabolic disturbance.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a clientelistic association is defined as a dyadically structured grouping based on direct asymmetrical exchange, and the impact of such associations on the development of the political system is analyzed.
Abstract: Current conceptualizations of political clientelism are inadequate on two related grounds: they do not clearly specify the distinctive characteristics of the clientelistic association and the impact of such associations on the development of the political system. The framework here offered, which is based on Homans’ and Blau's exchange theory, is an attempt to meet both analytical requirements. It suggests that a clientelistic association is a dyadically structured grouping based on direct asymmetrical exchange. More importantly, this framework tells us something about the functioning and the pattern of development of a clientelistic system as a whole. On the basis of our scheme, we may predict for such a system a highly individualistic type of political participation, weak legitimation of political leaders, a very fragmented pattern of allocation of political resources and, finally, a process of cooptation of opposition leaders by the party in power.
68 citations
TL;DR: In patients with β0 thalassaemia from Ferrara, β globin mRNA sequences are either absent or structurally abnormal while in β0 ThalassAemia in Catania,β globin RNA sequences are present.
Abstract: In patients with betao thalassaemia from Ferrara, beta globin mRNA sequences are either absent or structurally abnormal while in betao thalassaemia in Catania, beta globin mRNA sequences are present. In deltabeta thalassaemia there is a deletion of beta-like globin genes, while in betao Catania DNA, no beta globin gene deletion is detectable.
67 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the formation constants of Cu(OH), Cu2(OH)2 and Cu3(OH4) were determined by potentiometric measurements and the enthalpy changes were obtained by direct calorimetry.
58 citations
TL;DR: A simple computer program (DISDI), developed for obtaining the distribution diagrams of the species in solutions containing up to one metal and two ligands, has been compared with the programs COMICS and EQUIL.
35 citations
TL;DR: A substance which inhibits the in vitro multiplication of 3 cell strains was characterized in the sheep pineal gland and partially purified using three successive chromatography techniques, respectively on Sephadex G-25, CM-cellulose and Biogel P 60 columns.
27 citations
20 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the He(I) photoelectron spectra of the antinocene species Th(cot) 2 and U(cot 2 (cot = cyclooctatetraene) have been determined.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the formation and stability of the mixed complexes of Cu 2+ -2, 2′-dipyridyl with cyclohexane-1, 1-dicarboxylic acid have been investigated by means of potentiometric measurements of hydrogen ion concentration, at 25° C and in a medium 0.1M (Na,H)ClO 4.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the UO2LnX2, where L is di-2-pyridyl ketone, N = 2 (X = Cl, NCS, ClO4) or n = 1 (x = NO3), has been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity and thermoanalytical measurements.
TL;DR: The different brain regions showed specific patterns of decline of DNA and RNA synthesis, and small differences were found between neuronal and glial cells.
Abstract: Slices of cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, and cerebellum from rats 5–30 days old were used for in vitro incorporation of [methyl-3 H] thymidine and [6-14 C] orotic acid into DNA and RNA, respectively. The rates of DNA and RNA synthesis decreased markedly during development, with the most marked decrease observed for DNA. The different brain regions showed specific patterns of decline of DNA and RNA synthesis. Following incubation of slices, the tissues were fractionated to obtain fractions enriched in neuronal cells and in glial cells. In cerebellum, the granule neurons were separated from the Purkinje neurons. The glial: neuronal ratio of DNA specific activity was different in the three regions examined: in cortex it decreased from 6 at 10 days to 3 at 20–30 days; in brain stem it was 3 throughout 10–30 days; in the cerebellum (glia:granule neuron ratio) it was also 3 at 30 days but only 0.3 at 10 days. Concerning the RNA incorporation, small differences were found between neuronal and glial cells.
TL;DR: A short course of steroid therapy produced rapid and marked improvement of cutaneous lesions, without any effect on testicular involvement, in a case of multiple neonatal haemangiomatosis.
Abstract: . A case of multiple neonatal haemangiomatosis is described. A short course of steroid therapy produced rapid and marked improvement of cutaneous lesions, without any effect on testicular involvement. The authors emphasize the value of an early treatment with steroids.
TL;DR: In this article, the dependence on depth and latitude of the solar angular velocity produced by a meridian circulation in the convection zone was studied, assuming that the main mechanism responsible for setting up and driving the circulation is the interaction of rotation with convection.
Abstract: In this paper we study the dependence on depth and latitude of the solar angular velocity produced by a meridian circulation in the convection zone, assuming that the main mechanism responsible for setting up and driving the circulation is the interaction of rotation with convection. We solve the first order equations (perturbation of the spherically symmetric state) in the Boussinesq approximation and in the steady state for the axissymmetric case. The interaction of convection with rotation is modelled by a convective transport coefficient kc = kco + ℰkc2P2(cos θ) where ℰ is the expansion parameter, P2 is the 2nd Legendre polynomial and kc2 is taken proportional to the local Taylor number and the ratio of the convective to the total fluxes. We obtain the following results for a Rayleigh number 103 and for a Prandtl number 1:
TL;DR: The stability constants of ternary copper(II) complexes with 2,2'-bipyridyl and a dicarboxylic acid (maleic and phthalic) have been determined by means of pH-titrations and an ionic strength of 0.1M (Na,H)ClO(4).
TL;DR: In this article, the thermodynamic parameters for the chelation of cupric ion with 2,2′-dipyridyl have been determined at 25°C and I = 0.1 M. The data obtained are compared with those in the literature and the chelate effect of the heterocyclic diimine is described.
TL;DR: The quantitative gas--liquid chromatographic analysis of non-protein amino acids, in the presence of protein amino acid, is described and the relative molar responses of 38 amino acids are reported.
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the third postulate is enough to implement the law of causality even in macrophysics, when usual macro-objects interact with microtachyons and macrotachyons.
Abstract: The postulate that negative-energy particles do not exist (travelling forward in time) leads automatically to the « Reinterpretation Principle » by Stuckelberg and by Feynman. It has been already shown that such a « principle », assumed as theThird postulate of special relativity, ensures the validity of the law of (retarded) causalityboth in standard relativityand in (extended) relativity with tachyons and with Superluminal inertial frames. OurThird postulate, moreover, allows predicting antiparticle existence in apurely relativistic context. In this paper we show that theThird postulate is enough to implement the law of causality even in macrophysics, when usual macro-objects interact with microtachyons and macrotachyons. To that aim, some tachyon kinematics is further developed, which can be useful even in understanding elementaryparticle interactions (andmay be hadron structure). Many other related problems are discussed.
TL;DR: In a group of ten adult obese subjects, maintained for 15 days on a normal caloric intake and balanced diet, the activity of hexokinase and 6-phosphofructokinase in the adipose tissue was significantly increased, both on a protein and on a fat cell number basis, compared to matched normal subjects, consistent with the occurrence of enhanced triglyceride formation.
Abstract: In a group of ten adult obese subjects, maintained for 15 days on a normal caloric intake and balanced diet, the activity of hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1.), 6-phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), and ATP citratelyase (EC 4.1.3.8) in the adipose tissue was significantly increased, both on a protein and on a fat cell number basis, compared to matched normal subjects. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49), malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), and malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP) (EC 1.1.1.40), on the other hand, was unchanged. Since both hexokinase and 6-phosphofructokinase are rate-limiting in glycolysis, their enhanced activity would indicate the occurrence of an increased capacity to metabolize glucose and therefore to generate alpha-glycerophosphate. The elevation of ATP citrate-lyase would suggest increased lipogenesis, owing to the regulatory role that this enzyme plays in fatty acid synthesis. The normal activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP), which supply NADPH for the reduction of acetyl-CoA to fatty acids, would suggest that the change in lipogenesis is of moderate degree, thereby affecting only the most rate-limiting enzyme, ATP citrate-lyase. These data, on the whole, are consistent with the occurrence of enhanced triglyceride formation. Whether the enzyme changes observed are adaptive or genetic in nature remains to be clarified.
TL;DR: In this article, the molar conductivity values in acetonitrile-benzene mixture (80−20) and IR data indicate that the nitrate and thiocyanate complexes are non electrolytes and the perchlorate 1:3 electrolytes.
TL;DR: Although leukocyte G6PD was only one-quarter of the normal level, the phagocytic activity and the NBT test were normal in all subjects studied, so it is not clear how such low levels of enzyme allow normal function.
Abstract: Nine Sicilian children known to be deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehyrdrogenase (G6PD) were studied to see if there were anomalies of bactericidal activity in peripheral blood phagocytes. The type of deficiency was established. The G6PD levels in the leukocyte were found to be 26% of the controls (0.094 +/- 0.03, normal controls 0.360 +/- 0.12). The Michaelis constant for NADP and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) was lower than the control. Conversely, the utilization of the analogous 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2dG6P) and galactose-6-phosphate (Ga16P) was higher. The thermostability of the enzyme in the deficient subjects was lower and the pH optima (8 and 9.5) were different from the controls. An identical electrophoretic pattern was found in both normal and deficient subjects. The bactericidal activity in the deficient subjects was normal. There was no difference in the results of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) tests in either group.
TL;DR: The anomalies described up to the present time in association with hyperprolinaemia are inconstant, nonspecific, and extremely heterogeneous, which suggests that the relationship between hyperproLinaemia and other anomalies is purely coincidental and that a therapeutic approach by diet is unjustified.
Abstract: . The authors observed two cases of hyperprolinaemia (one of type I and the other of type II) which were asymptomatic. The anomalies described up to the present time in association with hyperprolinaemia are inconstant, nonspecific, and extremely heterogeneous. This suggests that the relationship between hyperprolinaemia and other anomalies is purely coincidental, and that a therapeutic approach by diet is unjustified.
TL;DR: Free amino acids, amino sulfonic acids, sugars and sterols have been examined and quantitatively determined in 10 brown seaweeds and, in all the algae, mannitol is present, sometimes in very large amounts.
TL;DR: The distribution of sterols in 31 Mediterranean Florideophyceae has been investigated and cholesterol is present in the greatest majority of the species examined, while the occurrence of other C-27 sterols is much more restricted.
TL;DR: In this article, the properties of the cyclic polyethers dibenzo-18crown-6 and benzo-15crown5 have been characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductances, infrared and electronic spectra, and thermal analyses.
TL;DR: Addition of chloroquine to the incubation mixture resulted in a significant inhibition of the nucleic acids and protein synthesis in the isolated retina of albino rabbits, which may be important in the pathogenesis of retinal disease observed duringchloroquine therapy.
TL;DR: In the Iblean region, southeast Sicily, a sequence of subaqueous and subaerial volcanics is interlayered in sedimentary levels, Upper Miocene to Lower Pleistocene in age as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: In this paper, Viene descritta 77 specie di Capitellidae, Scyphoproctus somalus n.sp. minor La Greca, 1946, Rhynchospio glutea (Ehlers, 1897), Paraspio mecznikoivianus (Claparede, 1869), Cirriformia capensis (Schmarda, 1861), Pherusa laevis (Stimpson, 1856), Fabricia filamentosa Day, 1963 risultano nuove per l'Oce
Abstract: RIASSUNTO L'Autore da notizia di 77 specie di Policheti bentonici del mesolitorale inferiore e dell'infralitorale superiore rinvenute in Somalia a Sud dell'Equatore, nel mangrovieto di Bender Mtoni (circa 1 km a Nord di Sar Uanle) e lungo la spiaggia di Sar Uanle (0°29′48''S-42°25′30''E); di queste 8 Phyllodoce capensis Day, 1960, Branchiosyllis uncinigera (Hartmann-Schroder, 1960), Glycera tesselata Grube var. minor La Greca, 1946, Rhynchospio glutea (Ehlers, 1897), Paraspio mecznikoivianus (Claparede, 1869), Cirriformia capensis (Schmarda, 1861), Pherusa laevis (Stimpson, 1856), Fabricia filamentosa Day, 1963 risultano nuove per l'Oceano Indiano. Viene descritta anche una nuova specie di Capitellidae, Scyphoproctus somalus n.sp.
TL;DR: In this article, the photoelectron spectra of some cyclopentadienyI derivatives of uranium and thorium were analyzed and the metal 5 f ionization has been detected in all the uranium derivative spectra and a simple molecular orbital scheme qualitatively accounts for the number and position of observed low energy bands.