Showing papers by "University of Siena published in 1981"

β‐LIPOTROPHIN AND β‐ENDORPHIN PLASMA LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract: SUMMARY β-lipotrophin (β-LPH) and β-endorphin (β-EP) plasma levels were measured by radioimmunoassay after glass powder extraction and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography in plasma samples from controls (ten healthy males and twenty-six young women in early follicular phase), from eighty-two pregnant women in weeks 9–40 after their last menstrual period, from nine women just after delivery and the cord blood of their neonates, in fifteen mixed cord blood samples and in seven amniotic fluid samples obtained by amniocentesis No sex differences were found in β-LPH (120·6 ± 8·5 pg/ml) or β-EP (31·1 ± 2·4 pg/ml) plasma levels or in their molar ratio (1·34 ± 0·09) (MR) β-LPH plasma levels increased in early pregnancy (13–16 weeks) (185·0 ± 27·1 pg/ml) and remained high until weeks 21–24, then declining to levels similar to those of controls β-EP plasma levels were significantly depressed in weeks 9–12 (20·7 ± 5·3 pg/ml), subsequently increasing to a maximum at weeks 36–37 (42·7 ± 6·8 pg/ml) β-LPH/β-EP molar ratio was about double normal in early pregnancy and decreased to normal in the second half The present data indicate that β-LPH and β-EP present different patterns throughout pregnancy and that β-EP levels increase progressively, reaching the highest concentrations at term At delivery, both β-LPH and β-EP showed maximum values (β-LPH: 230·2 ± 20·4 pg/ml; β-EP: 78·0 ± 7·4 pg/ml) and a MR of 1·02 ± 0·10 indicating that stressful situations, such as labour, stimulate a simultaneous rise in β-LPH and β-EP plasma levels Cord blood specimens showed a wide range of values (β-LPH:75–347 pg/ml; β-EP: 16–287 pg/ml) with a MR of 1·21 ± 0·14 Amniotic fluid samples obtained late in the third trimester of pregnancy were characterized by β-LPH levels of 119·4 ± 26·4 pg/ml and β-EP levels of 29·6 ± 7·5 pg/ml

Primary headaches: reduced circulating β‐lipotropin and β‐endorphin levels with impaired reactivity to acupuncture

Abstract: Eleven patients affected by common migraine (CM), eleven affected by daily chronic headache (DCH), and eight healthy volunteers were studied. Plasma levels of beta-endorphin (beta EP), beta-lipotropin (beta LPH). ACTH and cortisol were measured in basal conditions and after traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA). Basal beta LPH and beta EP plasma levels (pg/ml) in the DCH patients (57.6 +/- 9.5 and 16.8 +/- 2.5, respectively; M +/- SE) were lower than those found in the controls (83.6 +/- 13.7 and 26.0 +/- 6.1; p less than 0.001), while those found in the CM cases showed inter-mediate values (75.3 +/- 12.0 and 24.4 +/- 5.8). ACTH and cortisol concentrations in both the CM and DCH patients were in the same range as those of the control group. TCA caused an increase in beta LPH and beta EP plasma concentrations in the control group (beta LPH: 117 +/- 16.9; beta EP: 44.1 +/- 6.7). Opioid plasma levels, however, remained unmodified after TCA in both the CM and DCH groups. ACTH plasma levels remained stable after TCA in all three subject groups. Patients suffering from primary headache are characterized by low beta LPH and beta EP plasma levels and by a poor reactivity of circulating opioids to non-stressful stimuli.

Production and role of interferon in physiological conditions

Abstract: Summary 1. There is convincing evidence that a number of agents such as bacteria, viruses, endotoxins, foreign proteins, smokes and chemicals come into contact under physiological conditions with the lymphoid tissue associated with the gut and/or bronchial systems. Endogenous lectins and proteases may also act as mitogens on the central and peripheral immune system. 2. It is suggested that these agents act as inducers of interferon (and some also as immunogens), so that local production of interferon is turned on successively from cell to cell depending upon their responsiveness and upon the periodic inflow of inducers. 3. On the basis of a number of different features, it is proposed to distinguish between an ‘acute’ and a ‘physiological’ interferon response. In the latter, the interferon-producing cell influences the neighbouring cells by short-range humoral transmission (paracrine control) and possibly by cellular interaction, while the route of the general circulation is preferentially used in the former response. 4. It is suggested that the physiological interferon response, although previously overlooked, has great biological importance because production of interferon at strategic sites can maintain active defence systems essential for survival. 5. It is to be expected that the physiological interferon response, although amenable to experimental verification, may be difficult to detect. On the basis that interferon is normally absent from serum, it is suggested that most of the released immune-type interferon is either bound by cells surrounding the site of its synthesis or catabolized locally. 6. It is postulated that the progressive decline of the physiological interferon response with increasing age may represent one of the factors favouring the insurgence of autoimmune diseases and tumours in the process of ageing. It is also suggested that the involution of the thymus may in part be due to intrathymic production of interferon induced by proteases released from macrophages.

The spermatozoon of arthropoda: zootermopsis nevadensis and isopteran sperm phylogeny

Abstract: In this paper, the ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Zootermopsis nevadensis (Isoptera, Hodotermitidae) and of some Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae is described. Zootermopsis sperm is rod like, aflagellate, immotile, and without an acrosome; it is composed of a filiform nucleus encircled by a monolayered microtubular manchette, and a few mitochondria. This spermatozoon was previously thought to be flagellate, and therefore the most primitive in Isoptera: our present study suggests a new phylogenetical position for Hodotermitidae. All the species of Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae studied by us show a similar spheroidal sperm model, devoid of acrosome, flagellum and manchette at spermatid stage, and are made up of only a round nucleus, two mitochondria and a centriole. This widely distributed model seems to be the more evolved in the order. The nature of sperm evolution in the Isoptera is considered.

Beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin in physiological and surgical menopause.

Abstract: β-lipotropin (β-LPH) and β-endorphin (β-EP) plasma levels were characterized by a significant decrease in postmenopausal females (22 subjects aged from 56 to 70 yr) when compared to fertile women (22 subjects from 31 to 45 yr). On the contrary, ACTH plasma levels determined in 10 of the premenopausal and 13 of the postmenopausal subjects reported above showed constant levels in both groups. A significant increase in the β-LPH/β-EP molar ratio was observed in postmenopausal females. The plasma β-LPH and β-EP levels, studied before and 6 months after ovariectomy, showed a significant decrease in 8 out of 10 patients, while they remained constant in the other 2. Two subjects, in whom postsurgical samples were taken during a flushing episode, showed β-LPH and β-EP plasma levels which were both higher than the corresponding preovariectomy values. The results suggest that these changes may be important in explaining modifications in behavior and mood frequently found in postmenopausal females and in patients undergoing surgical castration in the fertile age.

Tapetum plastids ofOlea europaea L.

Abstract: The plastid ontogenesis inOlea europaea tapetum has been studied. Tapetum plastids start their development as proplastids and differentiate into elaioplasts. At the end of their development the tapetal cells degenerate and are substituted by roundish lipidic masses which will later form an exine coating (Pollenkitt). During their ontogenesis the plastids are characteristically associated with membrane outlines of mostly smooth ER, which appear to be correlated with lipid accumulation inside the plastids.

Determinants of erythrocyte ageing: a reappraisal.

Abstract: Every day some 2 x 10\" erythrocytes, equivalent to the cells contained in about 40 ml of blood of a normal adult male, die and are removed from the circulation. It has been suggested (Bocci, 1968; Danon et al , 1971) that erythrocytes, during ageing, have a progressively decreased surface charge and that the latter is related to changes in cell metabolism and to the action of sialidases. A number of studies have shown a correlation between the degree of desialylation and the removal of sialidase-treated erythrocytes from the circulation (Bocci et al, 1973; Durocher et al, 1975; Marikovsky et a!, 1977; Pfannschmidt & Schauer, 1980). However, recent experimental evidence is at variance with this proposal, and this is the subject of this review. There are a number of questions which need to be answered: (1) It is true that ageing erythrocytes contain less sialic acid? If desialylation occurs, is it due simply to a sialidase, or rather to a proteinase with consequent detachment of a sialoglycopeptide from the membrane? Is it meaningful to show that desialylated erythrocytes have a shorter survival time? (2) What are the real changes on the erythrocyte membrane during ageing and where do they take place? (3) What is the fate of the erythrocyte vesicles and of glycopeptides released by the senescent erythrocyte? Because there are several reviews on the subject, it is intended only to highlight recent findings and newer trends of research.

Geochronological study of the Monte Amiata Lavas (Central Italy)

Abstract: K/Ar and fission track age measurements were performed on lava samples of Monte Amiata volcano (Central Italy) which is formed by a sequence of lava flows and lava domes ranging in composition from trachybasalts to high-SiO2 quartzlatites.

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Abstract: Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured in a group of women with symptomatic postmenopausal osteoporosis, assessed by bone biopsy. A competitive protein binding assay was used, which included a chromatographic step. Accurate surveys of dietary or therapeutic vitamin D intake and light environment were obtained in each patient. Women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis were found to have significantly (P<0.001) higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than age-matched normal women, the mean values being 27.5 ng/ml (±13.6 SD) and 8.2 ng/ml (±5.7), respectively. The authors hypothesize that the reduction in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, recently reported in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, might be responsible for the increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D through an inadequate product inhibition of liver vitamin D 25-hydroxylase.

Spontaneous contractility in the human lymph vessels.

Abstract: During the diagnostic lymphangiography of the lower limbs, the motility of the lymph vessels was investigated in 79 consecutive patients, by means of a particularly performed serial radiography, aided by photographic magnification of films. Because of tech nical difficulties, a rather high incidence of imperfect examinations occurred. In 26 out of 35 (74.3%) technically satisfactory observations obtained from patients with no obstacle to lymph flow, evident morphological modifications were demonstrated, surely caused by intrinsic spontaneous contractility. Only in few cases a conctractile activity, somehow resembling a true peristaltic wave could be demonstrated; usually the lymphatic "pulse" appeared irregular and greatly varying and no specific rhythm was detected. Our findings suggest that: intrinsic contractility may be an important determinant of lymph flow; the pattern of contractility is strongly influenced by the anatomical feature of the lymphatic chain, whose lymphangions (intervalve segments), appear continuously varying in size and shape.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: survival after surgical treatment according to stage, histologic type and immunomorphologic changes in regional lymph nodes.

Abstract: P. TOSI,' P. LUZI,' L. LEONCINI,' C. MIRACCO,' M. GAMBACORTA,t AND A. GROSSI* The survival rates of 90 patients who underwent operation for bronchogenic carcinoma were analyzed statistically according to sex. age, tumor stage and histologic type, types of surgical procedures (lobectomy or pneumonectomy), and to immunomorphologic parameters of inimunologic activity in perihronchial and hilar lymph nodes. The Stage I group survived significantly longer than did the Stage 11 and 111 groups, the lobectomized patients survived significantly longer than the pneumonectomized patients. The absence 3r presence of lymph node metastases was one of the niajor determinants of survival. lhe mean values (percent of total node cut surface) of lymph node sinus hystiorytosis and of paracortical area could he correlated directly to survival in each of the histologic tumor-type groups. while the development of follicular cortex and germinal centers correlated inversely with survival. Increased survival might he associated with changes concomitant with immune reactirity in lymph node T-cell areas and with the sinus histiocytosis pattern, the latter representing probably a tumor-host reaction of the delayed hypersensitivity type. By contrast, increased activity of lymph node B-cell areas tended to correlate with poor prognosis of lung cancer patients. Moreover, patterns showing germinal center hyperplasia were statistically associated with lymph node neoplastic invasion, while the pattern with sinus histiocytosis and expanded paracortical areas was statistically associated with tumor-free lymph nodes. Cancer 48:2288-2295, 1981.

Sanfilippo B syndrome (MPS III B): case report with analysis of CSF mucopolysaccharides and conjunctival biopsy.

Abstract: A case of a child with Sanfilippo B syndrome (MPS III B), born of a consanguineous marriage, is reported. Urinary mucopolysaccharide analysis showed an abnormal excretion mainly of heparan sulphate. N-acetyl-a-glucosaminidase activity was absent in the patient but was present in the heterozygous range in parents and siblings. CSF mucopolysaccharides were also abnormally high. In fibrocytes from conjunctival biopsy and CSF cells numerous vacuoles containing storage material were found. The presence of vacuoles in fibrocytes from conjunctival biopsy and/or in CSF cells can be useful in the diagnosis of many suspected lysosomal storage disorders.

Electroanalytical study of the kinetics of thefac-mer isomerization of [ReCl(CO)3(PMe2Ph)2]+ in acetonitrile

Abstract: The isomerization offac-[ReCl(CO)3(PMe2Ph)2]+ to the corresponding meridional-trans isomer has been studied by electroanalytical techniques in MeCN solvent. Chronoamperometric and cyclic voltammetric data relative to the oxidation offac- andmer-[ReCl(CO)3(PMe2Ph)2] allow the accurate determination of the very high kinetic rate constant for the isomerization and permit discussion of thermodynamic aspects of redox homogeneous chemical reactions involving species of the different redox couples arising from the anodic processes.

Ultrastructure of sensillum t1 on the foretarsus of Acerentomon majus berlese (Protura : Acerentomidae)

Abstract: The shape and ultrastructure of sensillum t1 on the foretarsus of the proturan, Acerentomon majus Berlese have been described by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sensillum t1 is a club-shaped structure, innervated by 3 sensory cells. Each cell is bipolar, with a single dendrite whose ciliary region has a 9-doublet structure. The terminal parts of 2 of the 3 dentrites, filled with many single microtubules, penetrate the cuticular hair, and in the apical swollen region of the sensillum divide into several dendritic branches. The third dendrite terminates as a tubular body at the base of the peg. A sheath-producing cell, a trichogen cell, and one tormogen cell envelop the dendrites. The latter cell has abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and produces a very peculiar secretion that is discharged in the space between the cuticular sheath around the dendrites and the cuticle of the hair. A palisade of tubules, 14nm high, is present beneath the cuticle of the apical part of the sensillum; at this level, the cuticle is perforated by numerous pores through which passes a dense material, forming a continuous layer over the cuticle. An olfactory function of sensillum t1 has been proposed.

Influence of non-selective and selective beta adrenoceptor blockade on isoxsuprine-dependent hemodynamic and rheologic changes.

Abstract: The infusion of isoxsuprine was followed by an increase of heart rate and calf blood flow and by a decrease of arterial diastolic pressure and blood viscosity both in normal controls and patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease. The pre-treatment with a non-selective beta adrenoceptor blocker (propranolol) canceled all the isoxsuprine-dependent changes, while the pre-treatment with a selective beta adrenoceptor blocker (metoprolol) abolished only tachycardia and did not influence the increase of calf blood flow and the decrease of blood viscosity. These findings indicate the different role of vascular beta receptors in the regulation of muscular blood flow and suggest the pharmacologic possibility to unmask the beta2-dependent vaso dilation.