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Biomedical subjects

L Fiore

Publications and source records attributed to L Fiore.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Paralytic poliomyelitis in Italy (1981-85).

Fifteen cases of presumptive poliomyelitis occurring in Italy between 1981-85 were studied in order to differentiate between paralysis caused by poliovirus and that of different etiology. Out of seven confirmed cases three were "temporally associated with vaccination". Three aspects are discussed: the need for a careful differential diagnosis of paralytic cases; the over concern about the problem of vaccine-associated cases: the risk connected with re-importation of wild poliovirus strains.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1987

Antigenic and biochemical characterization of poliovirus type 2 isolated from two cases of paralytic disease.

Three isolates of poliovirus type 2 were obtained from rectal and pharyngeal swabs of two patients with paralytic poliomyelitis from Southern Italy (1981/1983). Neither one of the patients had received oral poliovirus vaccine, although a systematic vaccination campaign is conducted in the area. Neutralization tests with strain-specific antisera and analysis of the structural proteins by SDS-PAGE indicated that the three isolates were typical Sabin-like poliovirus type 2. Moreover, neutralization assays by means of a panel of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies indicated that the three isolates carried an antigenic mosaic where both wild-type and Sabin-specific epitopes were represented. The T1 fingerprints of the RNA of the three isolates diverged slightly from the standard Sabin reference map. A comparison of the oligonucleotide fingerprints of the viruses isolated from the pharynx and the feces of one patient indicated that mutations appeared as early as during replication in the intestinal tract.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Effect of dihydroergocryptine and dihydroergocristine on cyclic AMP accumulation and prolactin release in vitro: evidence for a dopaminomimetic action.

Dihydroergocryptine and dihydroergocristine, two C-9, 10-hydrogenated ergot alkaloids, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner prolactin release and cyclic AMP accumulation in cultured anterior pituitary cells. The inhibitory effect of dihydroergocryptine was more potent and started at lower concentrations than that of dihydroergocristine. Haloperidol and pimozide, two dopamine receptor antagonists, completely abolished the inhibitory activity of the ergot alkaloids. The involvement of the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system in the inhibitory action of the two compounds was demonstrated by the antagonism by pertussis toxin of the reduction of both prolactin release and cyclic AMP accumulation produced by dihydroergocryptine and dihydroergocristine.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cross-correlation analysis of intracellularly recorded synaptic activities: an evaluation of the method through computer simulation.

Cross-correlation of 'spontaneous' synaptic activities intracellularly recorded from pairs of neurons may be used to detect shared synaptic input, which could remain hidden in the raw data by the non-synchronized postsynaptic potentials (PSPs); besides, if a normalized cross-correlation function is adopted, the fraction of synchronized activity may be quantitatively estimated. To evaluate power and limits of this method, computer-simulated synaptic activities of pairs of neurons, in which a given percentage of PSPs were simultaneous, were subjected to this type of analysis. It was shown that percentages of shared activities as low as 4% and in some cases 2% could be revealed, with a conspicuity which was influenced by the types of associated PSPs.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

[First experiences with trans-rectal echotomography in perianal abscess pathology].

Trans-rectal ultrasound with a 5 MHz probe was used to examine 16 patients who had perianal fistulas and 5 of them underwent one or more surgical explorations. In 11 cases, all surgically checked, sonography was able to demonstrate a pararectal abscess and accurately image the site, size, extension and--in some cases--the fistula itself. It can be advised that, using high frequency probes (7 or 10 MHz), transrectal ultrasound could provide even more exact diagnostic information in anorectal pathology.

Abscess↗
PubMed1985

Input-output relationships of identified buccal neurones involved in feeding control in Aplysia.

A group of about 28 neurones located in the lateral portion of the caudal face of Aplysia buccal ganglion and projecting into the cerebro-buccal connective were identified by retrograde cobalt staining, and designated as L neurones. It was found that the L neurones did not establish synaptic relations with the known buccal neurones, which are mainly involved in the production of the consummatory phase of feeding, nor with several cerebral neurones tested, including the well-known serotonin giant cell. Neither did they show responses to stimulation of the nerves directed to the buccal mass. On the other hand, the L neurones showed depolarizing responses, with the possible addition of a weak, slower hyperpolarizing phase, to stimulation of the ipsi- and contralateral oesophageal nerves, which innervate the portion of the gut posterior to the buccal mass. These findings, together with several properties of the oesophageal nerve input, suggest that one function of the L cells is to transmit information about gut regions posterior to the buccal mass towards the cerebral ganglia, and that they may mediate the inhibitory influence which in Aplysia is known to be exerted upon feeding by the presence of bulk in the anterior gut. The L neurones showed synaptic responses - consisting mainly or exclusively of depolarizations - to stimulation of the cerebro-buccal connectives. Besides this, large, tonic EPSPs, which often occurred in the 'spontaneous' activity of the L neurones, were found to be generated by spikes that travelled in the cerebro-buccal connective towards the buccal ganglion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Double contrast studies of the small intestine. How, when, why].

The double contrast radiological technique involving duodenal intubation for the examination of the small intestine is described. The technical difficulties involved are discussed with ample illustration. This forms the basis for suggestions on the main indications for the technique in a correct diagnostic protocol.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of calcitonin on ACTH secretion.

We have investigated the effects of salmon calcitonin injected intracerebroventricularly on adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) secretion in rats. Salmon calcitonin was able to increase significantly (p less than 0.05) ACTH secretion at the dose of 5 ng/rat and (p less than 0.01) at the doses of 12.5, 25 and 50 ng/rat; the effect (50 ng/rat) was maximal at 30 min and still present after 60 and 120 min. The maximal dose of calcitonin produced a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in serum ACTH concentration also in stressed animals. It is suggested that calcitonin may increase serum ACTH secretion by central norepinephrine and/or 5-hydroxytryptamine pathways that regulate corticotropic releasing factor activity.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1982

Serial blood T4 and TSH determinations in low birth weight infants. Influence of gestational age, birth weight and neonatal pathology on thyroid function.

Serial blood T4 and TSH determinations were performed on a total number of 352 low birth weight (LBW) infants: 210 healthy newborns and 142 infants affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), sepsis, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypocalcemia, or hypoglycemia. The healthy infants have been divided into three groups in relation to gestational age (less than or equal to 33 wk, 34-36 wk, greater than or equal to 37 wk). Statistical evaluation among groups shows that reduced T4 concentration in LBW infants is strictly related to gestational age, while TSH failed to demonstrate any significant correlation. No significant influence of birth weight on T4 and TSH has been observed. The preterm newborns affected by RDS or sepsis showed a significant reduction of mean T4 concentrations up to 20th day of life when compared with healthy controls similar for gestational age and birth weight. TSH levels are not significantly different. No significant modifications of T4 and TSH have been found related to the other pathological conditions. The significant reduction of T4 and the high incidence of subjects with low T4 values observed in healthy and sick preterm population lend further support to the use of TSH determination for optimum screening of congenital hypothyroidism.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1981

Clinical and therapeutic aspects of sinusitis in children with bronchial asthma.

Eighty children between 4 and 14 years of age suffering from bronchial asthma were investigated. Fifty-five of them showed clinical and radiological findings of sinusitis. Of these, 13 patients with purulent postnasal drip were treated with ampicillin, phenylephrine and triprolidine (therapy A) and for the other 42 ampicillin was replaced by beclomethasone (therapy B). Thirty-four of 55 children showed improvement in sinus X-rays; 20 children had a considerable decrease in the severity of asthma and many symptoms cleared up after the therapy for sinusitis (P less than 0.001). In conclusion, owing to the high prevalence of sinusitis in children with bronchial asthma, all asthmatic children should be investigated to check for a sinus disease.

Adolescent↗