Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Drago.
A patient is described who presented with an eruption of tiny follicular keratotic papules on the limbs and the trunk accompanied by profuse hair loss. Histologically, a diagnosis of keratosis pilaris was made. The eruption cleared spontaneously in 3 months with complete regrowth of hair. Neither atrophy nor scarring remained. This appears to be the first reported case of keratosis pilaris decalvans non-atrophicans.
The hypothesis that the improvement of neurochemical changes involving the brain dopaminergic and cholinergic systems in aged rats may be related to the their capacity of coping with stress has been investigated by testing the effect of various dopaminergic and cholinergic drugs on stress-induced gastric ulcer development. The model of cold-plus-restraint stress induced gastric lesions has been used in Sprague-Dawley rats aged 24 months, compared to young animals aged 2 months. An increased incidence of gastric ulcers was found in old animals. When these animals were treated with cholinergic or dopaminergic drugs, they showed a higher resistance to stress-induced biological modifications. The most potent drugs were found to be the cholinergic drug, physostigmine and the dopaminergic drug, deprenyl. Furthermore, the induction of hyperprolactinemia by pituitary homografts under the kidney capsule was also accompanied by a reduced incidence of cold-plus-restraint stress induced gastric lesions in aged rats. These results may suggest that the influence of neurotransmitter or hormonal factors on the brain may affect the response of aged rats to the application of physical stress.
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The phosphorylcholine precursor, L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC), was injected at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 20 days to aged male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain, 24 months old, showing a deficit of learning and memory capacity. The drug was also administered to rats with amnesia induced pharmacologically with bilateral injections of kainic acid into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Learning and memory capacity of the animals, studied with tests of active and passive avoidance behavior, was improved after treatment with alpha-GPC in all experimental groups. These results indicate that this drug affects cognitive mechanisms in the rat through an involvement of central neurotransmission.
The effects of central administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 1 or 100 ng/rat) on behavioral and biochemical parameters related to the extrapyramidal motor system were investigated in male rats. The peptide-induced catalepsy occurred only at the dose of 100 ng/rat and hypomotility at both doses used. Calcitonin gene-related peptide increased haloperidol-induced catalepsy and decreased apomorphine-induced hypermotility at the doses of 1 and 100 ng/rat. Although these behaviors are related to dopamine, no significant change of striatal DA or DOPAC concentration were observed after central administration of the peptide. Other neurotransmitters may be directly or indirectly involved in these behavioral effects of CGRP.
We studied 60 patients who had survived the Mustard procedure for transposition of the great arteries, performed between the ages of 2 days and 24 months (mean 4.51 +/- 3.79). All patients were given a postoperative 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram at 15 days, 1 year and 3 years and then every 2 years. Those who were found to have sinus node dysfunction during follow-up, were given a dynamic electrocardiogram every 3-6 months. The average follow-up period was 38.7 +/- 19.8 months, median 36. Sinus node dysfunction was detected during follow-up in 20 patients (33.3% of the total), 8 of whom had had a pacemaker inserted. Risk factors for late development of sinus node dysfunction were found to include prolonged cross-clamping of the aorta during surgery (P = 0.003), especially over 50 minutes (relative risk 3.5:1), and the presence of even transient sinus node dysfunction after surgery (P = 0.006). These observations suggest, first, that sinus node dysfunction may develop after the Mustard operation as a combined effect of extensive atrial surgery and a long period of myocardial ischemia and, second, that the presence of the disease immediately after the operation sometimes indicates that it will recur or persist during follow-up.
Neuropeptides that may induce behavioral activation--thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), oxytocin (OXY), and prolactin (PRL)--were tested on thiopenthal-induced narcosis after IV administration in male rats. TRH caused a significant shortening of sleeping time at the doses of 3 and 5 mg/kg, but did not change this parameter at lower doses. Oxytocin was effective at all doses tested (200, 300, and 400 micrograms/kg). Prolactin also shortened sleeping time at the doses of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg administered IV, slightly increasing it at the dose of 5 mg/kg. These results indicate that various neuropeptides are capable of reducing the duration of thiopenthal-induced sleep in rats.
The effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone tartrate (TRH-T) on the decrease in H Max/M Max ratio, an index of the spinal motoneurone pool, induced by haloperidol, was studied in 15 healthy volunteers. In all subjects, the H response was examined by an electromyographic apparatus. The values were expressed as H Max/M Max ratio, that gives an index of excitability of the spinal motoneurone pool. It was found that the mean H Max/M Max ratio value significantly decreased after haloperidol administration, but this effect was completely reversed by the injection of TRH-T. This finding suggests that the peptide may modulate motoneurone functions.
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BACKGROUND: Erythema multiforme (EM) has been rarely reported in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases; this includes patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who have chronic or recurrent and disabling illness and an abnormal antibody reactivity to EBV. We describe a patient fulfilling the chronic fatigue syndrome diagnostic criteria who had developed an unusually persistent EM resistant to corticosteroids therapy. The EBV DNA was studied in skin EM lesions, throat washings, peripheral mononuclear cells, and plasma. The EBV antigens were studied in skin EM lesions and in mononuclear cells. The patient was followed up to 2 years. OBSERVATIONS: The patient had abnormal titers of antibodies against various EBV antigens and by immunofluorescence she disclosed the EBV nuclear antigen and the viral capsid antigen in the blood vessels of the affected skin. The dot blot hybridization assay detected viral DNA in throat washings and mononuclear cells, but not in plasma. The presence of the viral genomic content in lesional skin is suggested by the autoradiographic signal and by the difference from appropriate control specimens. Skin lesions and constitutional symptoms cleared after acyclovir sodium therapy and recurred after discontinuation of this therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first EM case in which evidence of the EBV causal role has been provided. The association with chronic fatigue syndrome suggests the EBV role in selected cases of this syndrome.
Dihydroergocristine (DEC, CAS 17479-19-5) is a dihydrogenated ergot alkaloid with a potent dopaminergic activity that has been proved both in vitro and in vivo. Apart from its effect on the secretion of pituitary hormones, the following actions have been evidenced. It induces stereotyped behaviour and changes in the sleep-waking cycle, and reduces hypoxia-induced cerebral metabolic changes and emesis. The effect of DHEC on behaviour patterns has been studied in aged male rats in comparison with young animals. The acquisition of the active avoidance response in the shuttle-box test and the retention of the passive avoidance response in a step-through passive avoidance task were facilitated in aged rats by an acute treatment with DHEC. The effect on the acquisition and extinction of the pole-jumping performance after a single injection of DHEC at the beginning of the acquisition session was restricted to the first acquisition trial. A more potent effect on the acquisition of the shuttle-box response and on the retention of passive avoidance reaction was found in animals treated subchronically with DHEC. The latter animals also showed a facilitation of acquisition and an inhibition of extinction of the pole-jumping performance. In other experiments, the repeated administration of DHEC was followed by a decrease in the excessive grooming in aged rats, which is considered a sign of the lack of adaptability of these animals. A facilitation of the compensatory mechanisms in experimental models of vertigo has also been found in animals treated with DHEC.
The use of oral propafenone was assessed in 57 children. Mean age was 4.8 +/- 5.2 years (range 1 day to 17 years). Twenty-three patients were less than 1 year of age (40%) and 10 were less than 1 month of age (18%). Arrhythmias included supraventricular tachycardia in 32 patients (57%), atrial flutter in six (10%), and ventricular tachycardia in 19 (33%). Cardiac diagnoses included: an otherwise normal heart in 30 (53%); unoperated congenital heart defect in 11 (19%); cardiomyopathy in nine (16%); and an operated congenital heart defect in seven (12%). Mean dose of propafenone was 13.1 mg/kg/day (range 8 to 15). Success (assessed by relief of symptoms and serial 24-hour ECGs) was achieved in 16 of 32 patients with supraventricular tachycardia (50%), three of six with atrial flutter (50%), and 8 of 19 with ventricular tachycardia (42%). Drug efficacy in patients with and without organic heart disease was 30% (8 of 27) and 63% (19 of 30), respectively (p less than 0.05). Mean duration of therapy in patients in whom the drug was effective was 22.9 +/- 13.2 months (range 6 to 60). Growth was unimpaired in all patients. A neonate with nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia had sustained ventricular tachycardia during the second day of propafenone therapy at a dose of 13 mg/kg/day. Sustained ventricular tachycardia disappeared when the drug was discontinued. Another patient had an asymptomatic and transient increase in the glutamic pyruvic transaminase level. No adverse hemodynamic effects were observed. In conclusion, propafenone is an effective antiarrhythmic drug in children with normal hearts; it is less effective in patients with heart disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The bilateral injection of the oxytocin receptor antagonist, N-acetyl-2-O-methyl-tyrosine-oxytocin (AMTO), in the nucleus accumbens of male rats prevented oxytocin-enhanced grooming without affecting locomotor activity. This effect was dose related. Oxytocin infusions did not alter open field activity. The present study investigated whether oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens are essential for the expression of grooming enhanced by the neuropeptide.
This study concerns the quantitative modifications of the prostaglandins, PGF alpha e PGE2, in the vitreous and in the lens following the application of Nd-Yag Laser. Five minutes after the Yag-laser treatment, an increase of PGF1 alpha concentration of PGE2 decreased in the lens and increased in the vitreous. These changes, similar to those occurring in the aqueous humor, may be related to the activation of specific enzymatic pathways of prostaglandin synthesis.
The parents of 151 children operated on for congenital heart disease have answered some questions about the scholastic, extrascholastic and physical activity of their children. Approximately 94% of the children are at the correct school level for their age. Extrascholastic activities of the city children is the same as children living in the country. During their free time 22% of the child population engages in physical activity, whereas 78% of the child population engages in physical activity at school. Among the parents, 61% think the activity of their children is normal, and 27% think it is too active. Our results demonstrate that the children operated on for congenital heart disease have a normal life during scholastic and free time, whereas, the introduction of these children to sport activities is anomalous and insufficient.
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Retrograde amnesia can be induced experimentally in mice by injecting them with scopolamine (3 mg/kg, IP) or by inducing seizures with pentylenetetrazol (50 mg/kg, IP), and in rats by subjecting them to hypobaric hypoxia (at a barometric pressure of 300 mmHg for 3 min). We have studied the effects of vinburnine (VNB) in these amnesic states compared to vincamine (VNC) and nicergoline (NCG), in order to assess its activity on drug-induced learning and memory impairments. Vinburnine reduced the disrupting effect of both scopolamine and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures on the retention of a step-through passive avoidance behavior in mice and on the acquisition of shuttle-box active avoidance behavior in rats. This effect was dose-related up to 20 mg/kg, the peak effect dose after IP administration, and more pronounced than that of VNC and NCG in some tests. These results indicate that VNB influences learning and memory processes disrupted by a pharmacological manipulation. In particular, as scopolamine acts as anticholinergic drug, it is possible that VNB mechanism of action includes also a stimulation of acetylcholine neurotransmission.