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Biomedical subjects

G Moruzzi

Publications and source records attributed to G Moruzzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

High Resolution Fourier Transform Far Infrared Spectroscopy of CH3OD

The high resolution Fourier transform far infrared spectrum of the torsion rotation band of CH3OD has been recorded in the range 20-350 cm-1 at a resolution of 0.002 cm-1. The spectrum shows splitting of the lines due to strong torsional, rotational, and vibrational interactions in the molecule. Assignments were possible for rotational subbands in the ground torsional state (n = 0) for K values up to 15 and J values of up to 30, for all the symmetry species. In addition, some subbands were also identified which involve torsionally excited states. A total of 63 b-type subband origins, including 6 Q-branch origins obtained from microwave (MW) and millimeter-wave (MMW) studies, were fitted to a semiempirical model. The molecular parameters so determined were able to reproduce the subband origins almost to within experimental uncertainty. The torsional-rotational state-dependent effective molecular parameters and the asymmetry splitting parameters have also been determined. These should prove valuable in the assignment of transitions involving torsionally excited states in the ground vibrational state. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

The electrophysiological work of Carlo Matteucci. 1964.

In 1964, Giuseppe Moruzzi (1910-1986), a prominent neurophysiologist of worldwide fame with a scholarly interest in the history of science, published an extensive and insightful analysis of the work and personality of Carlo Matteucci, a 19th century Professor of Physics at the University of Pisa who had worked on "animal electricity" in the great tradition of Galvani. By discovering fundamental phenomena such as the demarcation potential and action current in muscle and nerve, Matteucci paved the way for the development of modern electrophysiology. Being written in Italian and having appeared in a not easily available journal of history of science, Moruzzi's essay has been lost to most members of the international neuroscience community. An English translation of it is published here with two aims: first, to make known to a large audience of neuroscientists a fascinating account of the origins of electrophysiology as seen through a perceptive interpretation of the successes and failures of a brilliant scientist and passionate man; and second, to pay tribute to the memory of Giuseppe Moruzzi and his everlasting contributions to learning and science on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his death.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

An annotated interview with Giuseppe Moruzzi, 1910-1986. Interview by Louise M. Marshall.

Utilizing three modes of information exchange, this "annotated autobiography" presents in perspective a picture of an eminent neuroscientist of the 20th century. The reminiscences of Guiseppe Moruzzi, Director of the Institute of Physiology of the University of Pisa for more than thirty years, were combined with contemporary tributes, a review of his major published work, and comments of friends and associates. Such a three-dimensional view of a scientific career illustrates the possibilities of "the medium is the message."

Belgium↗
PubMed1975

The effect of spermine on transcription of mammalian chromatin by mammalian deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase.

Isolated rat liver nuclei demonstrate an increased ability to synthesize RNA in the presence of either spermine or spermidine. Spermidine has more effect on the low-salt alpha-amanitin-insensitive reaction, and spermine has more effect on the high-salt alpha-amanitin-sensitive reaction. Spermine is effective at concentrations of 0.1 mM and 1 muM, showing a biphasic effect. The RNA polymerase activity associated with nuclear chromatin is increased in the presence of spermine only at a concentration of 0.1 mM. Aso the transcription of deproteinized liver DNA by liver form-B polymerase or Escherichia coli enzyme is more efficient in the presence of 0.1 mM-spermine. Only when liver chromatin is transcribed by its homologous enzyme (and not by E. coli enzyme) is spermine active at both 0.1mM and 1 muM as in purified nuclei. The lower concentration of spermine (1 muM) is able to affect chromatin transcription by increasing the affinity of chromatin for the enzyme. Our findings suggest a regulatory role of spermine at the level of genome transcription.

Amanitins↗
PubMed1975

Regulation of ribonucleic acid synthesis by polyamines. Reversal by spermine of inhibition by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) of ribonucleic acid synthesis and histone acetylation in rabbit heart.

The relationship between polyamines and RNA synthesis was studied by considering the action of spermine on histone acetylation in perfused heart. In addition, the effect of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), inhibitor of putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity, on RNA and polyamine specific radioactivity and on acetylation of histone fractions was also investigated in perfused heart. Different concentrations of spermine and/or methylglyoxas bis(guanylhydrazone) were injected into the heart, 15 min after beginning the perfusion. The results demonstrate that spermine stimulates the specific radioactivity of RNA of subcellular fractions. Acetylation of the arginine-rich histone fractions, involved in the regulation of RNA transcription, is enhanced by spermine. The perfusion with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) causes a decrease in the specific radioactivity of polyamines and RNA, and in acetylation of histone fractions. However, spermine is able to reverse the methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibition when injected simultaneously. From these results we may assume a possible role for spermine in the regulation of RNA transcription.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1975

Apomorphine pecking in the pigeon.

Pecking activity elicited by apomorphine was studied quantitatively in intact and thalamic pigeons. While apomorphine pecking is easily observed in the intact pigeon, it is absent in the acute thalamic animal. I reappears, however, in the chronic preparation simultaneously with the recovery of spontaneous pecking. Apomorphine pecking is described by satiation and increased by fasting. Reticular stimulation produces reversible blockade of both apomorphine and spontaneous pecking with the same parameters, without increase in heart rate. Apomorphine pecking can be observed only in the presence of visual contrast, and is always aimed at the contrast points or edges. A decrease in contrast produces a decrease in the number of pecks delivered to the contrast points and an increase in those missing the target, while the total number of pecks delivered in a unit time is unaffected. A lowering of the background luminance is followed by a decrease in the total number of pecks, which is mostly due to a reduction of those aimed at the contrast points. All these findings are discussed and it is concluded that: i) apomorphine exerts an excitatory action (direct or indirect) on the hypothalamic feeding centers; hence apomorphine pecking can be considered as a pharmacologically motivated behavior; ii) visual contrast exerts a dual action on apomorphine pecking, namely it acts both as triggering stimulus and goal object; iii) the decrease in apomorphine pecking induced by lowering the ambient light intensity is probably due to a decrease in the level of the general arousal.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Polyamine and nucleoprotein correlations in hypertrophied and perfused heart.

A close relationship has been observed between polyamine, as spermine and spermidine, and nucleic acid synthesis during heart hypertrophy, induced in the rats experimentally, by physical exericse (swimming). The role of spermine on RNA synthesis has been studied by perfusion experiments of the heart. Spermine is able to stimulate myocardial RNA synthesis of all subcellular fractions. The biochemical mechanism of this phenomenon may be explained by the results of histone acetylation under the action of spermine, showing an increased radioactivity of F 2aI and F 2a2 arginine-rich histone fractions. This suggests that spermine may act modulating histone acetylation, with a consequence on the gene transcription mechanism.

Animals↗