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Biomedical subjects

G Gravante

Publications and source records attributed to G Gravante.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Effects of caudate nucleus on paroxysmal activity in hippocampus of cat.

Electrically induced afterdischarges (ADs) were evoked in cat's dorsal hippocampus. The effect of the conditioning prestimulation of the caudate head on AD duration was tested. A strong inhibitory action was observed when conditioning caudate stimulation immediately preceded hippocampal test stimulation. An increase in threshold values following caudate stimulation was also noted. The time course of the inhibitory phenomenon showed a decrease of the caudate conditioning effect when the interval between the two stimuli increased: complete disappearance of such effect was found to occur at about 600 msec. When caudate head stimulation followed the onset of hippocampal AD, this was inhibited only during caudate stimulation while presenting facilitation after caudate stimulation terminated. The results are discussed in terms of a possible explanation of the contrasting action of the pallidum, while previous findings attesting the facilitatory role of these structures are considered, as are the effects of caudate stimulation on hippocampal AD.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Striatal influence on ingestive behaviour in the cat.

In freely moving cats with chronically implanted electrodes an analysis was made of the effects on feeding behaviour of low-frequency long-duration stimulation of the caudate nucleus, the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus. In all 3 structures a significant reduction of food intake was observed and in the pallidus this reached the point of a complete block of feeding. The effects were always limited to the period of stimulation. At the end of stimulation the animals recovered and took in food quantities equal to those of controls. The results are interpreted on the basis of reciprocal connections between the basal ganglia and the hypothalamus; the role of the striatum on the selection of certain movements and its possible involvement in behaviour is also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effects of substantia nigra stimulation on electrical and mechanical activities of the duodeno-jejunal loop, in the cat.

The effect of substantia nigra stimulation on duodeno-jejunal intraluminal pressure and electrical activity was analysed in the cat. An inhibitory influence was noted to occur on both the intestinal pressure and the electrical response activity (ERA): the effect seemed to be in correlation with the stimulus parameters employed. After bilateral vagotomy, the inhibition remained substantially unchanged. The possibility of the existence of a sympathetic pathway mediating the effect is emphasized.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Feeding behaviour following substantia nigra and globus pallidus stimulation in chronic cats.

It is known that the lesion of the nigrostriatal and pallidofugal systems causes an experimental condition comparable to the hypothalamic sindrome, with severe aphagia and adipsia. It was considered of interest to study the effects of the low frequency long-duration stimulation of the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus on feeding behaviour. Experiments were performed on eight chronic cats with electrodes implanted in SN (pars compacta) and in the GP (pars externa). In the 2 hours of observation the food intake and the number of food-taking acts were calculated. The stimulation was induced continuously in the former hour. The modification in food intake, also on the basis of somatic behavioural observations may be ascribed to motor impairment rather than to involvement of a motivational state.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Changes in latency of evoked potentials after caudate nucleus stimulation.

The activation of the head of the caudate nucleus in cats which have undergone transection of the spinal cord at C1 produces inhibition of evoked potentials in the motor area (pre-cruciate region) and also reduces the peak latency of the negative slow wave. The results of decreased latency are discussed with reference to variations in intensity of the stimulation activating the motor cortex. The role played by the caudate nucleus in the control of the motor system is emphasized.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Interrelations between globus pallidus and hippocampal epilepsy in the cat.

Electrically induced afterdischarge (ADs) were evoked in the cats' dorsal hippocampus. The action of the conditioning prestimulation of the pallidus nucleus on AD duration was studied. A significant facilitatory influence was observed when pallidal conditioning stimulation immediately preceded hippocampal test stimulation. The time course of the phenomenon showed a decrease of the conditioning action when the interval between the two stimulations increased : complete disappearance of the effect occurred after about 800 ms. Results are discussed as far as functional relationships between basal ganglia and rhinencephalic system are concerned.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Breast asymmetries: a brief review and our experience.

The authors describe their personal experience with the management of mammary asymmetries. A review of their database from January 1998 to January 2005 identified 177 patients with idiopathic breast asymmetries. All these cases had been classified previously into six groups. Bilateral asymmetric hypertrophy and unilateral hypertrophy were treated with reduction mammaplasty. Unilateral hypertrophy with amastia or hypoplasia of the contralateral side was managed with reduction and augmentation mammaplasty. Unilateral amastia or hypoplasia (Poland's syndrome) was treated with a single monopedicle transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap, and asymmetric bilateral hypoplasia was managed with augmentation mammaplasty. Unilateral mammary ptosis was treated with mastopexy and augmentation mammaplasty. The proposed classification, derived from the authors' experience in this field, gives an idea of how they usually treat these patients. It is useful for a first evaluation, but after that, every treatment must always be individualized on a patient-by-patient basis.

Breast↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autologous cartilage graft rhinoplasties.

BACKGROUND: The authors report their experience with autologous graft rhinoplasties. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively, with selection of only autologous grafts from 2,000 rhinoplasties performed at the Plastic and Reconstructive Department of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients from January 1995 to January 2005 were selected. Most of the patients were treated with the "open tip" technique, whereas 9.7% had a classic endonasal approach. Follow-up evaluation was performed with outpatient visits at 2 and 6 weeks, then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Good aesthetic results were obtained for 93.5% of the patients, and 83.7% had complete satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Autologuos cartilage graft rhinoplasty is an affordable technique easy to learn that widens possibilities of interventions for nasal pyramid reconstruction.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Reverse" dual-plane mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: The authors present a new type of dual-plane mammaplasty and preliminary results obtained with it. The technique is aimed at improving the final natural appearance of breasts without adding additional risks of dislocation. METHODS: The eligibility criteria specified patients with sufficient breast tissue to disguise the implant, patients with asymmetric hypoplasia, and patients with an intense workout activity. The exclusion criteria specified patients with very little breasts. The technique is based on combined subglandular positioning in the superior part of the breast and retrofascial-precostal positioning in the inferior part. RESULTS: Beginning in January 2000, 57 patients were recruited. No postoperative bleedings, hematomas, or seromas were observed. In 93% of cases, good final shapes were obtained. After 1 year of follow-up evaluation, no displacement, asymmetry, or rupture was recorded. Only three patients (5.3%) showed mild monolateral capsular contractures (Baker II type), which resolved using capsulotomy without prostheses removal. CONCLUSIONS: "Reverse" dual-plane mammaplasty is a new technique that gives a good anatomic final appearance with no risk of displacement. The low risk of complications renders it feasible and safe for aesthetic breast augmentation. Further studies are necessary to compare this technique with retroglandular and retropectoral approaches.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory control by substantia nigra of generalized epilepsy in the cat.

Previous investigations have shown that the basal ganglia may exert a regulating influence on cortical epilepsy. Stimulation of the caudate nucleus enhances cortical penicillin (PCN) spikes. Stimulation of globus pallidus internus reduces cortical spike frequency. Since the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) seems to have an inhibitory action on the ventro-anterior (VA) and ventro-lateral (VL) thalamic nuclei and thalamic neurones send an excitatory influence to the cortex, we undertook an investigation to study nigral influence on cortical epilepsy induced by PCN. Experiments were conducted on encéphale isolé cats in which steady interictal activity was induced by means of parenteral PCN administration (feline generalized PCN epilepsy). Variations occurring in cortical PCN spikes following activation of either pars compacta (SNpc) or SNpr were analyzed. Electrical stimulation of SNpc reduced spike frequency and amplitude in 19% of the total number of stimulations; SNpr stimulation significantly inhibited cortical spikes, especially in the precruciate gyrus, in 80% of cases. The experimental findings constitute an electrophysiological feature of the control exerted by SNpr on the thalamo-cortical re-exciting loop. A putative preferential role of SNpr in the regulation of abnormal phenomena involving the neocortex is emphasized.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bichat's fat-pad: correlations with some anthropometric parameters.

The primary aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between Bichat's fat-pad volume, visualized by ultrasonography, and widely used anthropometric measurements, in 60 women and 13 men, ranging in weight from 57 to 124.5 kg. The body of Bichat's fat-pad was significantly correlated with all anthropometric parameters, although the correlation was much stronger with weight (r = 0.94, p < 0.0001, women; r = 0.85, p = 0.0003, men) and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.94, p < 0.0001, women; r = 0.91, p < 0.0001, men).

Adipose Tissue↗