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Biomedical subjects

M Tommasi

Publications and source records attributed to M Tommasi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

[Possible alteration of adrenergic neurons in the mesolimbic system of psychotics (author's transl)].

The activity of Phenylethanolamine-N-Methyltransferase (PNMT) was assayed in 12 brain structures in a group of 8 chronic psychotics, a sub-group of 5 schizophrenics and a group of 7 normal controls. It was found significant decreased in substantia perforata posterior and nucleus accumbens. These two structures belong to the meso-limbic system. These data, therefore, suggest an inhibition of PNMT and/or an alteration of putative adrenergic neurons in the meso-limbic system, in schizophrenia.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Distribution of adrenaline-synthesizing enzyme activity in the human brain.

A study of the distribution of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase (PNMT) activity in normal human brain is presented. After a preliminary dissection to separate brain tissue for formalin fixation and tissue designed for biochemical studies, the hemi-brain stem is cut in slices by hand and a cerebral hemisphere is cut on a cyromicrotome. "Punches" are made with an operating microscope. The dissection method was used to study the distribution of PNMT activity in 117 "punches" made on 21 slices obtained from 5 normal human brains. The caudo-rostral distribution of PNMT activity in C1 and C2 groups was found to be identical in each brain. The distribution of PNMT activity was found to be similar to that in the rat, but, in addition, important activity was found in the substantia nigra, internal pallidium and nucleus accumbens.

Brain↗
PubMed1979

[Granulomatous myositis during collagenosis (one case) and suprasellar dysgerminoma (one case) (author's transl)].

Two cases of mainly interstitial myositis with epitheloid and giant cells are reported. In the first case, the late amyotrophic-type paralysis of the two girdles, of the clinical myositis type, was associated with severe myocardial damage, the atrioventricular conduction disorder requiring a pace-maker. This observation would appear to be a true polymyositis of the collagen diseases, in view of the associated skin affection, death occurring within a year, a large increase in serum muscle enzymes and urine creatine, the existence of a rheumatoid factor and striated muscle antibodies, and a large increase in M and G immunoglobulins. In the 2nd case, the amyotrophic affection of the pelvic girdle was associated with progressive blindness, diabetes insipidus, and anterior pituitary insufficiency. Death occurred after two years and autopsy showed a suprasellar dysgerminoma (ectopic pinealoma) without any visceral localization of sarcoidosis. The authors discuss the concept of granulomatous polymyositis, autonomous with respect to the sarcoidosis, and sometimes symptomatic of an inflammatory connective tissue condition or a malignant tumor.

Blindness↗
PubMed1978

[Surgically treated supratentorial gliomas in the adult. Favourable action of a podophyllin derivative (VM 26) administered alone (author's transl)].

The action of VM 26 on cerebral glioblastomas was suggested by studies of phase II or protocols in which the drug was used in association. The randomised protocol presented here, involving 10 treated subjects and 11 controls, showed that VM 26 was active in terms of the duration of survival of patients undergoing surgery for a glioblastoma. The mean survival was 16.4 months as against 9.6 months in the controls (statistically significant difference at p less than 0.05). This activity would tend to characterise the drug as one of the essential factors in the chemotherapy of all malignant gliomas, in particular since it is itself free of all haematological complications, even at high doses, and causes scarcely any allergic problems.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1978

[Acute hemorrhagic leucoencephalitis during tuberculosis (author's transl)].

The authors report a fairly typical clinico-pathological case of acute hemorragic leucoencephalitis (A.H.L.E.). Both clinical and histological features appeared particularly acute. At autopsy a visceral evolving tuberculosis was diagnosed. Such an etiological circumstance has not been, apparently, reported in cases of A.H.L.E. published as such. Three other etiological circumstances were noticed: pyuria, treatment by cephalotin and treatment by gentamycine. The physiopathogenesis of A.H.L.E. remains obscure and will not be clarified before detailed immunological studies can be performed. But the disease is rare and brisk and diagnosis usually post-mortem.

Brain↗
PubMed1977

[Alpers' infantile cerebral poliodystrophy. A case with abnormal hepatic pyruvate carboxylase].

The authors describe an anatomical familial case of progressive infantile cerebral poliodystrophy (Alpers disease), in which the study of enzyme kinetics of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase revealed an abnormal graph reflecting a loss of activity of the enzyme with low concentrations of substrate, This is a new feature in the literature on Alpers disease, and possibly indicates one of the pathogenic mechanisms responsible in this disorder which remains mysterious, although its pathology has been clearly described.

Ataxia↗
PubMed1976

[Proliferation of the transverse tubular system during a tardive and familial myopathy].

The authors report a case of non-progressive, late-onset, recessive, sex-linked myopathy. Electron microscopy reveals a striking proliferation of the T system. This proliferation might be interpreted as indicating an abortive attempt of muscle to regenerate, which could explain the clinical course. Some basic ultrastructural aspects concerning the T system are reported. The signification of the findings of numerous "zebra bodies" is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres in man: a bridge binding the 1st and the 2d temporal gyri, superior face of the 2d temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus].

The autors study 76 human brains, 36 of which are dissected. They observe a "T1 T2 bridge" over the first temporal and second temporal gyri more often on the left side than on the right. They find the maximal width of the superior face of the second temporal gyrus predominant on the right side in 70% of cases, on the left side in 15% and equivalent on both sides in 15%. The fusiform gyrus is found wider on the left side in 53% of cases, on the right in 22% and equivalent on both sides in 25%.

Dissection↗
PubMed1976

[Striato-nigral degeneration. A propos of 2 anatomo-clinical cases].

Two sporadic cases of striato-nigral degeneration were characterized by the onset at the age of 61 of an akinetic-hypertonic syndrome and of a minimal or absent rest tremor, with a pyramidal syndrome, sphincter disorders, dysphonia, difficulty in swallowing and an unfavorable development in the space of two or three years not affected by L-Dopa. In one case, total insomnia was demonstrated by means of 3 polygraphic recordings during the night, two of them consecutive, and aprobenecide test showed a definite fall in H.V.A. and 5 H.I.A.A. in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. Anatomical verification showed, in one case, isolated putamino-nigral degeneration, and in the other associated with lesions of the olivo-cerebellopontine system. Much of the excess pigmentation found only in the putamen was melanotic in character and resulted perhaps from the striato-nigral degeneration, making it possible to classify this more accurately among the other multisystem degenerations, especially olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy and Shy-Drager syndrome

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1975

[Association of multiple basal cell carcinomas of the face and spinocerebellar degeneration. Study of 4 familial cases including an anatomo-clinical description].

The authors report 4 cases of the morbid familial association revealing itself late in life (average age 37.7 years) including multiple basal cell carcinomas of the face and neurological and psychiatric symptoms, the most complete examples of which were severe, including mixed cerebello-spinal ataxia, involvement of the anterior horns of the spinal cord, a pyramidal syndrome and extra-pyramidal syndrome, abolition of the osteo-tendinous reflexes, dementia, paralysis of certain cranial nerves. These are associated constantly with increased glucose concentration in the cerebro-spinal fluid and dilatation of the cerebral ventricles. The course is unusual. The skin signs always occur first. There is a definite parallel between the severity of the skin involvement and that of the central nervous system. A neuropathological study of one case (case 2) showed lesions of degenerative type resembling spino-cerebellar degeneration of Menzel type with supramedullary diffusion to the locus niger, locus coeruleus, cranial nerves and thalamus. From these clinical and pathological findings, the authors noted an original pathological and clinical entity and consider certain diagnostic and pathological problems. The precise relationship between the skin and nervous lesions is unknown, but may be due to abiotrophic processes. Concerning the classification, this disease should not be included among the phacomatoses for there is no biastema tendency, and should be included among the more general group of neuro-cutaneous dystrophies or genoneurodermatoses.

Brain↗
PubMed1975

[Familial form of cutaneous epitheliomatosis with complex neurological characteristics similar to hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration. Apropos of 4 cases including one case with anatomo-clinical description].

The authors report an observation in which four siblings were affected by both multiple cutaneous epitheliomatosis and complex but relatively stereotyped neurological disorders. Clinically, the main syndrome was cerebello-spinal ataxia with involvement of the anterior horns of the spinal cord with less marked pyramidal and extra-pyramidal features. Neuropathological examination of one of the cases revealed lesions of essentially cerebello-spinal degeneration suggestive of Menzel's disease. The possible connection between the neural and cutaneous lesions is discussed. All the various etiological categories possible have been ruled out; not one being entirely satisfactory, except for the very broad category of genetic neuro-dermatoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Neuropathology of trichopoliodystrophy (Menkes' disease). Anatomoclinical observation].

The authors describe an anatomo-clinical case of trichopoliodystrophy in many ways similar to cases already published. The original features of the case are as follows: the ultrastructure of the duodenal mucosa is normal; the endoplasmatic reticulum of the putaminal neurons contains many-layered lamellar structures probably composed of protein; type II fibres predominate in the striated skeletal muscle suggesting abnormal neuromuscular maturation.

Blindness↗