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Biomedical subjects

M T Salerno

Publications and source records attributed to M T Salerno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

sICAM-1, sCD95 and sCD95L levels in chronic liver diseases of different etiology.

The release of soluble circulating molecules represents a prominent feature during the course of immune-mediated clinical conditions. To further assess the relationship between serum concentrations of adhesion or apoptotic-related soluble structures and liver diseases, we evaluated the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), Fas receptor (CD95) and Fas ligand (sCD95L) in a group of patients affected by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-induced chronic hepatitis (CH-C), HCV-positive liver cirrhosis with superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Results show that sICAM-1 values were in all instances significantly elevated when compared to those seen in healthy donors. Similar findings were noted in subjects with liver diseases in terms of sCD95 concentrations, even if to a different degree of statistical significance. Finally, sCD95L amounts were augmented in AIH, PBC, ALC and CH-C in comparison to controls, while in the HCC counterpart sCD95L levels fell within normal range. All together, these findings emphasize the occurrence of circulating soluble molecules in patients with various chronic liver diseases, likely reflecting the involvement of several pathogenetic mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The role of the claustrum in the bilateral control of frontal oculomotor neurons in the cat.

The effect of claustrum (CL) stimulation on the spontaneous unitary activity of ipsi and contralateral frontal oculomotor neurons, was studied in chloralose-anaesthetized cats. A total of 205 units was bilaterally recorded in the medial oculomotor area, homologous of the primate "frontal eye fields"; 127 neurons were identified as projecting to the superior colliculus; for 33 of these last units stimulation of the ipsilateral CL provoked an excitatory effect lasting 10-25 ms and appearing with a latency of 5-15 ms; on 8 units the excitatory effect was followed by an inhibition lasting 100-250 ms. Ninety-eight of the 127 neurons were also tested through activation of the contralateral CL: 13 cells showed an excitatory effect lasting 10-35 ms and appearing with a latency of 20-50 ms. In three of the thirteen units the excitatory effect was followed by an inhibition lasting 100-150 ms. Complete section of the corpus callosum abolished the contralateral CL effect, suggesting the existence of a direct claustro-contralateral oculomotor cortex pathway running through the corpus callosum. The results could support the hypothesis that the CL may play a role in the bilateral control of the visuomotor performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of claustrum stimulation on neurons of the contralateral medial oculomotor area, in the cat.

In chloralose-anaesthetized cats, the extracellular spontaneous unitary activity was recorded from 157 neurons, located in the medial oculomotor area. 98 units were identified as projecting onto the superior colliculus. Electrical stimulations of the contralateral claustrum provoked, on 13 of these cells, an excitatory effect, lasting 10-35 ms and appearing with a latency of 20-50 ms. Full length section of the corpus callosum totally abolished the contralateral claustrum effect. The results suggest that in the cat, the claustrum may have a role in the bilateral control of the visuo-motor performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of claustrum activation on the spontaneous unitary activity of frontal eye field neurons in the cat.

The influence of claustrum stimulation on spontaneous unitary activity of the ipsilateral frontal oculomotor area was analyzed in anesthetized cats. Sixty-five neurons were isolated, 37 of which (57%) were identified as projecting to the superior colliculus; on 12 of these last units (32%), electrical activation of the dorsal claustrum provoked an excitatory effect, which appeared after a latency of 5-15 ms and lasted 10-25 ms. These data could suggest the involvement of the claustrum in the visuomotor coordination function.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Claustral influence on ipsi- and contralateral motor cortical areas, in the cat.

The electrophysiological relationships between the claustrum and the contralateral motor areas of the cerebral cortex were studied in anaesthetized cats. The extracellular unitary activity of 207 pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) was recorded from area 4 (125 cells) and area 6 (82 cells). Single shock activation of the contralateral claustrum affected 26% of the total tested PTNs, causing long lasting inhibition (44 PTNs) or long lasting inhibition preceded by early excitation (10 PTNs). Forty-three neurons of the 54 were also influenced by ipsilateral claustrum stimulation. Surgical removal of motor and insular cortices ipsilateral to the stimulated claustrum did not modify claustrum inhibition on contralateral PTNs, whereas section of the corpus callosum abolished this effect, suggesting the existence of a direct claustro-contralateral motor cortex pathway passing through the corpus callosum. These results support the hypothesis that the claustrum may exert a bilateral control on motor coordination.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine on hepatic glutathione in patients with liver disease.

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a physiologic precursor of thiols and sulfurated compounds, which are known to be decreased in patients with liver disease. The effect of its administration on the hepatic glutathione content of liver patients was investigated. Four groups of subjects were selected: a) 9 patients with alcoholic liver disease treated with SAMe (1.2 g/day orally for 6 months); b) 7 patients with non-alcoholic liver disease treated as above; c) 8 placebo-treated patients with alcoholic liver disease; and d) 15 normal subjects as a control group. Total and oxidized glutathione were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography of liver biopsy specimens before and after the treatment period. In all patients pre-treatment hepatic glutathione was significantly decreased as compared with controls. SAMe therapy resulted in a significant increase of hepatic glutathione levels both in patients with alcoholic and in those with non-alcoholic liver diseases as compared with placebo-treated patients. SAMe may therefore exert an important role in reversing hepatic glutathione depletion in patients with liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Electrophysiological relationship between claustrum and contralateral area 4 and 6 pyramidal tract neurons.

The connections between the claustrum and the contralateral motor areas were electrophysiologically investigated in cats under chloralose anesthesia. The extracellular unitary activity of 81 pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) was recorded; 22 PTNs were inhibited by activation of the contralateral claustrum; inhibition was preceded by an early activation of 4 out of the 22 inhibited PTNs. Section of the corpus callosum abolished the contralateral claustrum effect, while the action of the ipsilateral homologous structure persisted.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Effects of stimulation of the claustrum on the spontaneous activity of pyramidal neurons of the contralateral motor areas 4 and 6 in the cat].

In order to investigate the functional meaning of the connections between the claustrum and the controlateral motor areas, the extracellular spontaneous activity of 81 PTNs was recorded. Single shock controlateral claustrum stimulation inhibited twenty-two out of the 81 PTNs. On four of the twenty-two PTNs the inhibition was preceded by an early activation. The split of the corpus callosum was performed in 5 cats in order to study the pathway followed by claustrum fibers to the controlateral motor cortex. It is ipothesized that the relationship between the claustrum and controlateral area 4 and 6 PTNs might have the purpose of giving the pyramidal output the bilateral contribution of a plurisensory structure.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Functional aspects of the relation between the claustrum and motor cortex in the cat].

In order to study the relationships between the claustrum and motor cortex neurons both of area 4 and area 6 in the cat, an experiment was performed in which the effect of claustral stimulation on pyramidal tract neurons was investigated. Single shock electrical activation of the claustrum caused an inhibition of the spontaneous activity of the neurons, or an inhibition preceded by short activation, or no effect. These evidences lead to the conclusion that the claustrum exerts a role in movement organization.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Functional relationship between claustrum and pyramidal tract neurons, in the cat.

Electrophysiological relationships between the claustrum and the motor cortex were studied in cats preliminarily anesthetized with ketamine and then with chloralose. Single shock electrical activation of the claustrum induced a decrease of the spontaneous unitary activity of the pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) both in area 4 and in area 6. Eighty percent of the total number of PTNs was inhibited whereas the remaining 20% was unaffected. The inhibitory effect lasted about 200 msec and appeared about 19 msec after claustrum activation. The results show a functional linkage between the claustrum and the efferent cells of the motor cortex. This relationship suggests the hypothesis that the claustrum, a multisensory structure, may be involved in motor activity integration.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1984

Effects of claustrum stimulation on spontaneous bioelectrical activity of motor cortex neurons in the cat.

Electrophysiologic interactions between claustrum and motor cortex neurons were investigated in the cat. A total of 136 neurons was recorded from the motor cortex in area 4 (90 cells) and in area 6 (46 cells). Ninety-eight of the total neurons were identified as pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs). Stimulation of the claustrum by single shocks or by trains of stimuli imposed on the tested PTNs a pure long-lasting inhibition, or a long-lasting inhibition preceded by a short early activation, or no effect. No functional localization of the effects of claustrum activation were found within the motor areas. The observed results are consistent with the hypothesis that the claustrum may play a role in movement organization.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1982

Unit study in cat claustrum of the effects of iontophoretic neurotransmitters and correlations with the effects of activation of some afferent pathways.

Glutamate (Glut), acetylcholine (ACh) and dopamine (DA) were iontophoretically applied on cat claustral neurons. Glut did not affect all the neurons; ACh had both excitatory and inhibitory effects, while DA was prevalently inhibitory. An analysis was made of the time-course of excitatory and inhibitory responses on the basis of the mean firing rate variations during and after ACh and DA release. Three types of responses are described for each drug: short lasting inhibition, long lasting inhibition and long lasting excitation. The experimental data were statistically elaborated. The effects of ACh and of DA were compared with those of activation obtained by sensorial peripheric and thalamic stimulations. ACh could be supposed to be the transmitter of most of the inhibitory terminals of these sensitive afferences to the claustrum.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1979

[Variations of chlorides and bicarbonates in pancreatic juice in response to increasing doses of secretin and cholecystokinin].

Sequential changes in chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in pancreatic juice were evaluated after gradually increased doses of: 1) synthetic secretin in men 2) natural secretin in dogs 3) natural CCK in dogs. The results suggest that the increase in bicarbonate concentration is accompanied by a proportional chloride concentration decrease. The total anionic concentration is constant and it is not affected by different hormonal stimulation.

Adult↗