122,666 research outputs found

    Neurotensin as Modulator of Glutamatergic Signalling: Relevance in Neurodegenerative Diseases

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    Rationale: Neurotensin (NT) is a tridecapeptide widely distributed in mammalian brain, where acts as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator of classical neurotransmitters, mainly through the activation of its receptor NTS1. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the existence of close interactions between NT and dopamine (DA) systems both in limbic and striatal brain regions (Nemeroff CB., 1985; Binder EB., 2001; Caceda R., 2006). Because of the involvement of an over-activation of DA system in the development of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, psychosis and dyskinesia, a strong attention was given to the study of complex interactions between NTS1 and D2 dopamine receptor, highlighting the existence of receptor-receptor interaction, potential target for developing new anti-schizophrenic drugs (Ferraro L., 2007). In addition, neurochemical and biochemical data indicate that NT plays a crucial role in regulating glutamatergic transmission, probably inducing an amplification of NMDA receptor signalling, even at threshold concentrations (lOnM) (Antonelli T., 2004). Results I: The neuromodulatory function of NT on glutamatergic signalling was studied in an in vitro model of primary cortical cultures, highlighting a dose-dependent effect (NT 0.1-300 nM) on glutamate release. In addition, NT show the ability to amplify the NMDA-induced (lOOnM) increase of glutamate release. The use of the NTS1 receptor antagonists, SR48692 (lOOnM) and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (l[iM), in combination with an effective concentration of NT, made possible to hypothesize that the mechanism involved could be an NTSl/NMDA receptor-receptor interaction (Antonelli T., 2004; Ferraro L., 2008) both at striatal and cortical level. It has been postulated that the accumulation of extracellular glutamate level and the consequent excessive activation of NMDA receptors (excitotoxic mechanism) contributes to neuronal death associated with chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases (Olney JW., 1978). Since the data obtained to date suggest a NT-mediated strengthening on several glutamatergic functions in the central nervous system, our work was intended to deepen its possible involvement in glutamate-induced neurodegenerative mechanisms. The in vitro model of cerebral ischemia obtained by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) showed a significant increase in extracellular levels of glutamate. In addition, significant alterations of biochemical and morphological parameters measured were observed. Increase the release of LDH, reduction of mitochondrial oxidative capacity (MTT levels), increased activity of caspase-3, increased number of apoptotic (fragmented) nuclei, increasead level of AN(+)/PI(-) immunoreactive cells and MAP-2 dendritic aggregations was measured 24 hours after the ischemic insult. The addition of NT (lOOnM) to the culture medium showed a significant increase in the OGD-induced changes, while cells pre-exposure to the NTS1 antagonist SR48692 (lOOnM) blocked the effect of both the neuropeptide and OGD exposure, alone or in combination. The results obtained with this in vitro model of cerebral ischemia, stress the involvement of NT activity in the eziopathogenesis of an acute neurodegenerative disease (Antonelli T., 2008). Results II: At basal ganglia level, NT induces an amplification of glutamate release, probably through a NTS1/D2 antagonistic interaction. This phenomenon could contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic nigro-striatal neurons by the means of an excitotoxic mechanism, pathogenetic feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this contex, experiments were conducted with the in vivo microdialysis technique at striatal and cortical level, anatomical areas notoriously involved in PD. The results obtained again showed that a, potential, NTS1/NMDA receptor-receptor interaction induces a glutamatergic signalling amplification. The observed increase in glutamate extracellular levels induced by treatment with NMDA (100 and 500 uM) and NT (lO nM), showed once again to be partially blocked by treatment with NT antagonist SR48692 (Ferraro L., 2008). Given the potential neuroprotective role played SR48692, successive studies in an vivo model of PD achieved through unilateral lesion of the nigro-striatalpathway with the neurotoxin 6-idroxydopamine (6-OHDA) were done. Three experimental groups were tested for the turning rotation behaviour and by a challenge with NMDA lOOuM: lesioned rats, rats exposed only to vehicle and lesioned rats treated with the neurotensinergic antagonist. The animals exposed to SR48692 have shown a significant recovery for both the parameter of turning behaviour and responsiveness to pharmacological challenge with NMDA (Ferraro L., 2008). The results obtained can lead to the hypothesis that the use of selective NTS1 receptor antagonists, in combination with conventional drug treatments, could provide a new terapeutic approach for chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases treatment, such as cerebral ischemia and Parkinson's disease

    Revision of the conodonts of key Upper Triassic Tethyan sections: A step forward in definition of the Carnian/Norian boundary and new correlation options

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    The need to find a biomarker to define the Carnian¬Norian boundary resulted in appreciable revision of the taxonomy of the Upper Triassic P1 conodont elements in recent years. Pizzo Mondello (Sicily, Italy) is a GSSP candidate for the Norian and provides the most continuous and valuable conodont record for the Tethys: in 2004 seven species were recognized for the Upper Carnian-Lower Norian interval at Pizzo Mondello, whereas today 42 have been identified. Among these, seven new species are defined here. Since the Pizzo Mondello record could make it the world reference for Late Triassic conodont biostratigraphy, its correlation potential with other sections is fundamental. For this purpose, the conodont faunas of the Tethyan key sections Silická Brezová (Slovakia), Bölücektasi Tepe and Erenkolu Mezarlik (Turkey) were revised. This revision enabled recording the occurrence of newly established species in much of the Tethys. Species that are potentially useful for definition of the C/N boundary were discriminated in all these sections: Epigondolella quadrata Orchard, E. rigoi Noyan & Kozur, Carnepigondolella gulloae Mazza & Rigo and species of the Metapolygnathus communisti Hayashi group. The same succession of conodont bioevents were identified in all investigated sections, confirming that the Pizzo Mondello conodont record is representative for the entire Tethys. These results open the possibility of new correlation options throughout the Tethyan realm, solving some biostratigraphic discrepancies raised in past years, and laying the groundwork for discriminating a truly reliable biovent for definition of the C/-N boundary

    Atlas Of Pediatric Ocular Oncology

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    This atlas-book was conceived in the dark evenings during the Covid pandemic to keep the mind busy, not only mine but also the young residents of our clinic. The images that enrich each chapter are part of a life of over 30 years dedicated to ocular oncology, mainly of the pediatric age. A passion and commitment transmitted by my mentor Prof. Frezzotti who treated the first retinoblastoma in 1959. So here, I find myself collecting the most significant images of hundreds of clinical cases faced, diagnosed and treated over the years. Retinoblastoma is obviously the largest part of this atlas due to the over 900 cases observed and treated in Siena. It took almost 3 years...because unfortunately the time left to write, study and publish is the evening hours after long and tiring days of clinical care activities. My long friendship, collaboration and growth together with Paolo Galluzzi has allowed us to add to each chapter MRI notions useful in the differential diagnosis of various pathologies. My friend Rana’a helped correct some chapters and give his contribution on ocular mela- noma in pediatric age. Good friends and colleagues have been added among the collaborators for sending unu- sual and rare cases. I thank Tero Kivela, Sonia De Francesco, Tommaso Bacci, Marco Mazza, Mattia Pasti, Alfonso Cerase, Lucia Monti, Mario Fruschelli and Cristina Menicacci for their precious contributions. An affectionate thought goes to all the young residents who, with great enthusiasm, em- braced the topics assigned to them and carried out the various chapters with curiosity and interest. The drawings were all done by the talented resident Dimitris Pollalis who gave a truly artistic touch to this atlas. This book is dedicated to all ophthalmologists, of all ages, who are passionate, curious and fascinated by their work with the hope that the hundreds of images can help to recognize unusual and complex cases

    A gentleman planner. Scritti in memoria di Luigi Mazza

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    Il lungo lavoro di Gigi Mazza nello studio e nelle esperienze di progettazione territoriale è stato focalizzato, con sempre maggiore evidenza nel tempo, sul sapere tecnico dell’urbanistica e il suo rapporto con la politica, nella convinzione che la pianificazione dello spazio sia un potente fattore di redistribuzione dei vantaggi e degli svantaggi. La concezione strumentale della tecnica urbanistica non è mai, per Mazza, pretesa di neutralità politica: l’urbanista è portatore dei principi etici che guidano la ricerca di modelli insediativi e strumenti di regolazione del suolo. La riformulazione del piano urbanistico, il radicamento degli ordinamenti spaziali nella storia e il legame tra governo del territorio e cittadinanza sono altre direttrici fondamentali di ricerca di Mazza. Questo libro ripercorre i temi cardine della sua estesa e importante riflessione in una prospettiva di prosecuzione e apertura. Esso si arricchisce, inoltre, di un testo inedito: l’ultima lezione del corso di urbanistica del 1999, dove temi drammaticamente attuali come xenofobia e razzismo si saldano con un’interpretazione originale del rapporto tra urbanistica e territorialità

    Depressive syndromes and L-dopa treatment in Parkinsonian patients

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    Depressive syndromes and L-dopa treatment in Parkinsonian patient

    Scontromeryx apulicus Mazza et Rustioni 2011

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    Scontromeryx apulicus (Mazza et Rustioni, 2011) Taxon A (partim)— Mazza & Rustioni 1999 (partim): p. 306, fig. 1 [SCT 76, SCT 88]. Hoplitomeryx apulicus Mazza & Rustioni, 2011 — Mazza & Rustioni 2011 (partim): p. 1304, 1318, 1330, figs 2, 3, 5, tables 1, 2 [SCT 76, SCT 88]. Holotype. Right hemimandible SCT 88 (Figure 2, D, E, F, in Mazza & Rustioni 2011). Paratypes. Hemimandibles SCT 76, SCT 88, (SCT 88 is indicated by Mazza & Rustioni (2011) as well as holotype as paratype). Revised diagnosis. Small species with brachyodont dentition. Mandible with slender and slightly sinuous ramus, with clearly convex ventral profile. In p 3 protoconid larger than metaconid, opposite in p 4; parastylid, hypoconid and entoconid well developed in lower premolars, paraconid present in unworn premolars; lower molars with swollen lingual enamel walls and with cuspids that remain isolated even in worn teeth; cheek teeth with occlusal surfaces markedly inclined outwards because of strong differential wear between inner and outer cuspids; labial conids markedly triangular and closely spaced, with flattened mesial walls; ectostylid very small in m 1, absent in m 2 and m 3; metastylids and postentocristids well developed but not protruding lingually; distal margin of hypoconulid fused, or not, to the entoconulid; enamel smooth; cingulum absent. Differential diagnosis. Larger than Scontromeryx falcidens according to Mazza & Rustioni (2011), but with Gargano specimens removed it is the smallest species. Differs from S. falcidens by a more elongated lower p 4 (L/ W ratio 1.7 vs 1.5) and having metastylids that are not lingually protruding. Differs from S. falcidens and S. minutus by having closely spaced labial conids of the lower molars and the very small ectostylid in m 1 and absence of an ectostylid in m 2 and m 3 and of a cingulum in lower molars. Differs from S. minutus by having a smooth labial enamel wall on its lower molars. Derivation of name. Not given by Mazza & Rustioni (2011). Likely after the Latin name for the present-day province of Puglia (southern Italy). Preservation and deposition. Soprintendenza Archeologica dell’Abruzzo (Chieti, central Italy). Type locality and horizon. Tortonian Scontrone Member of the Lithothamnium Limestone (Patacca et al. 2008; 41 ° 45 ' 15.54 'N, 14 °02' 13.14 ''E), outskirts of Scontrone, southern border of the National Park of Abruzzi, L’Aquila, central Italy. Description. See Mazza & Rustioni (2011). Additional characters shown by paratype revised after Mazza & Rustioni (2011). SCT 76 is a fragmentary right hemimandible with three molars (Mazza & Rustioni 1999, not mentioned in Mazza & Rustioni 2011). m 1 –m 2. occlusal surfaces considerably inclined outwards; inner cuspids maintain sharp and pointed for long, outer cuspids affected by relatively higher degrees of wear. m 3. distal margins of both hypoconulid and entoconulid either separated or fused towards the collar of the tooth. Measurements. See Table 2. Remark. An additional differential character was the long diastema in S. apulicus, but this diastema cannot be confirmed for the Scontrone specimens.Published as part of Van Der Geer, Alexandra A. E., 2014, Systematic revision of the family Hoplitomerycidae Leinders, 1984 (Artiodactyla: Cervoidea), with the description of a new genus and four new species, pp. 1-32 in Zootaxa 3847 (1) on page 17, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3847.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/28681

    L'arbitrato per l'accesso al Fondo di solidarietà istituito con l. 208/2015: natura e funzionamento

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    L'articolo espone principalmente i profili procedurali e processuali concernenti l'arbitrato per l'accesso al Fondo di solidarietà istituito con l. 208/2015 per gli obbligazionisti subordinati delle quattro banche poste in liquidazione coatta amministrativa (Banca delle Marche, Banca Popolare dell'Etruria e del Lazio, CariChieti e CariFerrara), arricchito vieppiù con richiami alla disciplina sostanziale del diritto degli intermediari finanziari

    Papyrology and Ethics

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    This article discusses the problematic relationship between the discipline of papyrology and the antiquities market. It analyses current professional codes and demonstrates that they are often misinterpreted and need to be updated; through a close analysis of case studies, the author suggests some practical changes and improvements

    Donne, terra e amministrazione nell’Egitto bizantino

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    Discussione del ruolo femminile nella amministrazione delle grandi proprietà nobiliari ed ecclesiastiche nell'Egitto bizantin
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