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Biomedical subjects

M Stella

Publications and source records attributed to M Stella.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Increased plasma levels of immunoreactive human atrial natriuretic factor in primary IgA nephropathy.

The plasma concentration of the immunoreactive (IR) human atrial natriuretic factor (hANF) was measured in 17 patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (9 normotensive and 8 hypertensive subjects without impairment of renal function). Furthermore, correlations with the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system and hemodynamic alterations were studied. The mean value of IR-hANF was significantly (p less than 0.002) higher in normotensive IgAN patients (68.2 +/- 14.6 pg/ml) than in controls (48.8 +/- 11.5 pg/ml), while it was slightly and not significantly elevated in hypertensive IgAN patients (58.5 +/- 8.4 pg/ml). In the latter the mean plasma renin activity (PRA) was significantly increased (0.92 +/- 0.30 ng/ml/h; p less than 0.002), while in normotensive IgAN patients (0.68 +/- 0.58 ng/ml/h) no difference was observed. Plasma aldosterone levels showed the same behavior pattern as those of PRA. Hemodynamic studies showed that the mean values of the cardiac index (CI) were significantly (p less than 0.002) high in both normotensive (3.55 +/- 0.5 l/min/m2) and hypertensive (3.32 +/- 0.47 l/min/m2) patients, while a significant reduction in the total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) in normotensive (2171 +/- 349 dyn/s/cm-5/m2; p less than 0.02) and a significant increase in hypertensive (2959 +/- 440 dyn/s/cm-5/m2; p less than 0.05) patients were observed. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) had a positive correlation with the TPRI and an inverse correlation with the IR-hANF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes exposed in vitro and in vivo to therapeutic ultrasound.

The induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs), chromosomal aberrations and cell-cycle delay was determined in human lymphocytes after treatment in vitro and in vivo with therapeutic ultrasound (u.s.). In vitro treatments (1 W/cm2; 0.860 MHz; for 40-160 sec) were performed on unstimulated lymphocytes from 9 donors: a statistically significant, dose-dependent increase in SCE frequency was produced, whereas no induction of chromosomal aberrations nor alteration of the distribution of 1st, 2nd and 3rd division metaphases were observed. The same increase in the frequency of SCEs was detected by treating in vitro stimulated lymphocytes with u.s. The effects of in vivo exposure to u.s. were detected on lymphocytes from 10 patients before, during and after u.s. therapy (0.6-1.0 W/cm2; 0.860 MHz; from 8 to 20 applications lasting 5-6 min each). SCE frequency was statistically significantly increased in all patients at mid-therapy, without a further increase during the second half of therapeutic cycle, and was restored to pretreatment level 3 months after the end of u.s. therapy. No increase in chromosomal aberrations was noticed during and after u.s. therapy, whereas erratic delays of the cell cycle were observed, not clearly related to u.s. application or SCE levels. A linear relationship was found between SCE frequency and age in 21 healthy donors.

Cell Cycle↗

[Functional and morphological study of the resensitization of transplanted skin flaps].

A study was conducted to assess sensory function in skin grafts, its effectiveness being an essential condition for ensuring coverage of loss of substance and total functional recovery of the transplanted skin. Morphological and structural criteria to identify cutaneous sensory receptors were established, and data related to their functional activity obtained following an exhaustive literature review. Clinical studies from 1960, employing conventional tests of responses to stimuli, have demonstrated that sensory recovery in transplanted flaps is strictly proportional to that which existed previously. More recent studies have involved equipment to apply stimuli and record responses providing objective assessment of tactile, pain, and thermal sensitivities. Histologic examinations were also performed to try to obtain morphological confirmation o results from the exposed clinical methods. Analysis of a selection of clinical cases studied has demonstrated that more marked recovery of sensory function in transplanted flaps is related to histological evidence of a greater density of regenerated nerve endings.

Humans↗

Body mechanics.

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Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Selective retrograde labeling of cholinergic neurons with [3H]choline.

Evidence is presented which is consistent with a specific retrograde labeling of cholinergic neurons following [3H]choline application in their zone of termination. [3H]Choline injection in the rat hippocampus leads to perikaryal retrograde labeling in the ipsilateral medial septal nuclease and nucleus of the diagonal band, thus delineating an established cholinergic pathway, while only diffuse presumably anterograde labeling was observed in the lateral septum, the entorhinal cortex, and the opposite hippocampus. After [3H]choline injection in the pigeon visual Wulst, only the ipsilateral thalamic relay, of all inputs, showed similar perikaryal retrograde labeling, an observation supporting the suggestion that at least some thalamo-Wulst neurons are cholinergic.

Animals↗

Kainate-induced lesion in the optic tectum: dependency upon optic nerve afferents or glutamate.

Kainic acid is known to induce characteristic lesions in neurons receiving an intact input with presumed glutamate-mediated neurotransmission. There are indications for glutamate as a transmitter of retinal afferent terminals in the pigeon optic tectum. After tectal injection of kainic acid (0.5-2.0 microgram in 0.5 microliter) the optic tectum was studied by light and electron microscopy and the following changes were observed: (a) within 1-48 h important neuropil vacuolization predominantly in lower part of layer 5. Such vacuoles were sometimes postsynaptic to identified retinal afferent terminals: (b) within 1 h to 21 days progressive neuronal cell loss throughout the tectal layers. These toxic effects were not observed 2-12 weeks after contralateral retinal ablation but could partially be restored by combined glutamate (0.2 mg) and kainate injection. Thus in the pigeon tectum, kainic acid neurotoxicity is dependent upon an intact retinal input, a finding consistent with a special role for glutamate - possibly as a transmitter - in retinal terminals.

Animals↗