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Biomedical subjects

M A Continenza

Publications and source records attributed to M A Continenza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Smad3-null mice lack interstitial cells of Cajal in the colonic wall.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/Smad's signalling pathway plays a pivotal role in organogenesis, oncogenesis, inflammation, repair and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of muscle layers and the density and distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the colon of Smad3 knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Smad3 wild-type mice and 12 null mice were sacrificed at age 4 months and the colons were collected for histology (Haematoxilin-Eosin, Masson thrichrome and Gomori silver staining), morphometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. For IHC we used the c-Kit, alpha-smooth muscle actine (alpha-SMA), vimentin, desmin and neuronal cocktail (S-100, NSE, neurofilament 200) antibodies. RESULTS: When sacrificed, 40% of the null mice showed different degrees of colon dilatation when compared with the wild-type. Histological and morphometric evaluation revealed a significant reduction in muscle layer thickness of the colon in all the null mice when compared with the wild-type. Immunohistochemistry evaluation showed a marked reduction, or even absence, of c-Kit immunoreactivity, which identifies ICC, in the colon of all the null mice, compared with the wild-type. CONCLUSIONS: Smad3 null mice showed a marked reduction, or even absence, of ICC in the colon together with a concomitant reduction of intestinal smooth muscle layer thickness. This data could account for the colonic dilation observed in approximately 40% of the Smad3 null mice. Alteration of intestinal smooth muscle layers and ICC could also be involved in the resistance of the Smad3 null mice to develop colonic fibrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The ischiatic region: normal and MRI anatomy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy correlated to the normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the proximal thigh region and the ischial tuberosity. METHODS: MRI coronal and axial sequences were obtained from 20 asymptomatic volunteers (10 male and 10 female) aged 20 to 38 years (mean age: 28 years), and then they were compared with 2 anatomical dissections and 7 cryosections of 6 cadaver thighs. RESULTS: The anatomical specimens were directly correlated with MRI scans. From the comparison it could be seen how the axial MRI sequences well outlined the sciatic nerve, usually observed oval in shape with moderate signal intensity, and thus easily detectable from other surrounding organs. Other structures were also identified by axial images: the ischial tuberosity, the proximal origin of the hamstring muscles arising from the ischium and the related bursae, the gluteus maximus and its bursa, the quadratus femoris and its inconstant bursa, a triangular adipose body and vessels. Coronal scans also showed well the hamstring muscles, both in length and thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Both MRI images and cadaver dissections showed the ischial tuberosity as an interesting intersection area that could be delimited as follows: on the dorsal border the gluteus maximus and its bursa, on the dorso-medial side the hamstring muscle origin, and on the antero-lateral side the quadratus femoris muscle with its inconstant bursa and the ischial tuberosity. These anatomical and MRI descriptions are very useful to give a contribution to the right explanation of sciatic symptoms caused by those sports specifically overloading the hamstring muscles. Frequently, in fact, in these athletes a sciatic syndrome arise drawing the physician's attention to the lumbosacral joint or to the sciatic nerve course near the piriformis muscle. Another very important site where the sciatic symptoms can rise, indeed, could also be found in the hamstring muscle region, where the nerve run under the gluteus maximus beside the ischiatic bone. Athletes who manifest notorious muscle overload in this anatomical region usually show sciatic pain symptoms that are not to be related with pathologies of the lumbosacral junction nor to relationships of the sciatic nerve with the piriformis muscle but rather to relationships that this nerve acquires with either gluteal muscles as well as with muscles of the underneath ischiatic region.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effects of low power 904 nm radiation on rat fibroblasts explanted and in vitro cultured.

In this study, 904 nm radiation was used on rat fibroblasts, explanted and in vitro cultured, to verify the action of various factors on cell growth. Parameters which can modify the behaviour of cultured cells, including the pulse repetition rate and the intensity of the radiation, the distance between the source and the irradiated dishes, the daily duration of exposure and the length of treatment, were studied. The most effective values of the intensity and pulse repetition rate which stimulate cell growth were 3 x 10(-4) W m-2 and 1.6 kHz respectively; the best stimulation was obtained at a sample-source distance of 0.1 m. The duration of daily exposure had no significant effect, whereas the best stimulus of cell growth was obtained by extending the treatment to 12 days.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Effect of calcium ionophore (A23187) on the production of thromboxane B2 in human polymorphonuclear cells in vitro].

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are capable to produce prostaglandins in vivo and in vitro, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) which is the main metabolite of arachidonic acid in these cells. In the present work we studied, with radioimmunoassay method, the effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on PMN. This substance is capable to stimulate TXB2 release by PMN and its effect is inhibited by indomethacin.

Calcimycin↗
PubMed1982

[Effect of the association of caffeine-indomethacin on the production of prostacyclin in the rat stomach].

Prostaglandin (PG) E1, PGD2 and the unstable PGI2 are inhibitors of human platelet aggregation and increase the concentration on cAMP in human platelets, presumably by stimulation of the adenylate cyclase. Methylxanthines exert their antiaggregatory effect by inhibiting the platelet cAMP phosphodiesterase. We examined whether caffeine-indomethacin is able to block PGI2 release from gastric mucosa less than the administration of indomethacin alone. PGI2 production was determined on aliquots of incubated mucosal strips, tested for ADP-induced aggregation of human platelet rich plasma. The obtained data indicate that the PGI2 production found in rats treated with the association was higher than that observed in rats treated with indomethacin alone. The present preliminary findings suggest that caffeine when given together with indomethacin reduces the indomethacin-induced inhibition of PGI2 release from the gastric mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Action of some salicylates associated with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the release of prostacyclin from the gastric mucosa of the rat].

In the present work it has been tested if associations of indomethacin or aspirin with diflunisal or sodium salicylate block PGI2 release from gastric mucosa less than the administration of the compounds alone. PGI2 production was determined on aliquots of incubated mucosal strips, tested for ADP-induced aggregation of human platelet rich plasma. The obtained data indicate that PGI2 generation found in rats treated with indomethacin or aspirin associated with diflunisal or sodium salicylate was higher than that found in rats treated with indomethacin or aspirin alone. This effect may be likely explained by competition between salicylates and other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for binding sites on PG-synthetase and plasma proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Comparison of the growth of subjects from 6 to 12 years of age in the province of Naples and the province of L'Aquila].

The authors studied weight, height and thoracic circumference of 419 children 6 to 12 years old who were born in Naples county. They transcribed data on special anthropometrical forms and computed arithmetical mean and standard deviation for every series of biometrical values. Then they plotted the graphs of growth-state obtaining so the growth curves. Comparing these graphs with those obtained by the same methods in children from L'Aquila of the same age, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) Neapolitan children have a slight more increased growth with respect to children born in L'Aquila; 2) the growth of both groups is similar since the shape of their growth curves is overlapping.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1982

[Phospholipid fractions of the hypothalamus and liver morphology and function in the rat].

The Authors studied the effects induced by long administration of hypothalamic phospholipids on the rat liver. They showed that the most important histologic changes can be observed in the liver of animals who received the longest treatment. Such changes consist of significant infiltration of lymphocytes and red blood cells that have overflowed into the pericentrolobular space. This picture of a not-too-serious blood stasis could justify the alterations of the epatocytes contemporarily observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

["Granuloma pouch" reduction after treatment with indomethacin and diflunisal and collateral effects of these drugs on gastric mucosa].

In the present work it was determined the ability of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diflunisal and Indomethacin) to inhibit formation of "granuloma pouch" exudate induced in rats. This study shows that the combined administration of Diflunisal and Indomethacin exerts similar anti-inflammatory activity as the single drugs. There does not seem to be additive anti-inflammatory effects of the drugs in combination but, if anything, a weak antagonism. The association of the two compounds produces a reduced harmful effect on the gastric mucus.

Animals↗