Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): sensitivity in an Italian sample of patients with dementia

The sensitivity of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was assessed in a sample of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type or vascular dementia. The MMSE identified the majority of pts with diffuse cognitive impairment but did not discriminate between the two types of dementia. If failed to detect mild deterioration or forms in which only some cognitive functions were impaired. The test is therefore not sufficient for distinguishing deteriorated from non deteriorated pts, although it is still useful in mass screening or for a quick assessment of deterioration in the course of clinical neurological examination.

Purification of a low molecular weight calf pineal peptide controlling DNA transcription in vitro

A low molecular factor showing high specific activity in the control DNA of transcription in vitro was isolated from aqueous ultrafiltered calf pineal gland extracts. The active factor was purified by means of Gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and G-10, thin layer chromatography on aluminum sheet cellulose and high performance liquid chromatography using a Supelcosil LC 318 reverse phase column. The purified pineal factor was characterized as a peptide of low molecular weight (of about 1200 Dalton) containing glutamic acid, leucine, glycine, threonine and alanine in their approximate molar ratio, referred to glycine taken as 1: glycine 1, threonine 1, leucine 1, alanine 6, glutamic acid 2. Studies of the aminoacid sequence by N-terminal analysis using the automated Edman degradation procedure, were unsuccessful, suggesting the presence of a blocked NH2 group. The purified peptide appears to be different from peptide factors till now isolated from pineal gland.

Developmental expression of rat cardiac troponin I mRNA

We have isolated and sequenced a full-length cDNA clone of rat cardiac troponin I (TnI). The amino acid sequence of rat cardiac TnI is highly similar to that of other mammalian species in the portion of the molecule (residues 33–210) that is also homologous to skeletal muscle TnI isoforms. In contrast, a lower degree of similarity is present in the cardiac TnI-specific amino terminal extension (residues 1–32). This region contains a conserved serine residue that has been shown to be selectively phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cardiac TnI mRNA is weakly expressed in the 18-day fetal heart and accumulates in neonatal and postnatal stages. No difference can be demonstrated between TnI mRNAs present in fetal and postnatal heart by RNAase protection assays. The fetal and neonatal, but not the adult heart, contain significant amounts of slow skeletal TnI transcripts, detected by oligonucleotide probes specific for the 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions of slow skeletal TnI mRNA. In situ hybridization studies show that cardiac and slow skeletal TnI mRNAs are coexpressed in the rat heart from embryonic day 11 throughout fetal and perinatal stages. Changes in troponin isoform expression during development may be responsible for the difference in calcium sensitivity and in the response to beta-adrenergic stimulation between fetal and adult heart.

Category-specific semantic disorders in Alzheimer's disease

A striking dissociation between the inability to identify living things plus food, along with a preserved ability to identify inanimate objects has been observed in patients who are recovering from herpes simplex encephalitis. In order to find out if a similar dissociation is also present in Alzheimer's disease (where the suspected initial site of parenchymal atrophy involves the same areas affected by herpes simplex virus), we carried out five experimental linguistic tasks to compare Alzheimer's patients' performance therein with that of vascular dementia patients and controls. Our results indicate a constant parallel between the category-specific semantic impairment of Alzheimer's patients and that described in patients recovering from herpes simplex encephalitis. The dissociation of living things+food vs inanimate objects in Alzheimer's disease appears to be of diagnostic value: it is not present in vascular dementia.

Emergence of the mature myosin phenotype in the rat diaphragm muscle

Immunohistochemical analysis of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression in perinatal and adult rat diaphragm muscles was performed with antibodies which permitted the identification of all known MHC isoforms found in typical rat muscles. Isoform switching, leading to the emergence of the adult phenotype, was more complex than had been previously described. As many as four isoforms could be coexpressed in a single myofiber. Elimination of developmental isoforms did not usually result in the myofiber immediately achieving its adult phenotype. Activation of genes for specific adult isoforms might be delayed to puberty. For example, two of the three fast MHCs, MHC2X and MHC2A appeared perinatally, while MHC2B did not appear until 30 days postnatal. By Day 60 this isoform was present in approximately 27% of the myofibers, but in most myofibers expression of this isoform was transient (i.e., at Day greater than or equal to 115, less than 4% of the myofibers expressed MHC2B). Fibers which contained MHC beta/slow during the late fetal and early neonatal period coexpressed MHCemb. A marked increase in the frequency of fibers containing MHC beta/slow occurred between 4 and 21 days postnatal. These slow fibers arose from a population of myofibers which expressed MHCemb and MHCneo during their development, and they accounted for the majority of slow fibers found in the adult diaphragm. The adult myosin phenotype of the diaphragm myofibers (as determined with immunocytochemistry, and 5% SDS-PAGE) was not achieved until the rat was greater than or equal to 115 days old.

[Occasional disclosure of large arachnoid cysts in 2 subjects]

Two old men in whom the CT and MR scans had unexpectedly shown an enormous arachnoid cyst in the fronto-temporo-parietal region, underwent neuropsychological examination. This did not show any neuropsychological abnormality. This is in accordance with the hypothesis that the cyst represents a dysontogenetic disorder with very slow growth, leaving functionally normal the cerebral structures shifted.

Electrophoretic separation and immunological identification of type 2X myosin heavy chain in rat skeletal muscle

One slow and three fast myosin heavy chains have been described in typical skeletal muscles of the adult rat using immunocytochemical analysis. Electrophoretic isolation and immunochemical identification of these four isoforms has not been achieved. An electrophoretic procedure is described which, by altering the cross-linkage and polymerization kinetics of 5% polyacrylamide gels, allows resolution of these four distinct myosin heavy chains. Using specific monoclonal antibodies and double immunoblotting analysis, the identity and electrophoretic migration order of the myosin heavy chains was established to be: 2A less than 2X less than 2B less than beta/slow.

Relationships between biotin and thymus morphology, and thymic and plasma peptides controlling DNA transcription

Biotin-deficient rats show a slower growth rate and thymus involution. The amount of the thymic peptides controlling DNA template, based on thymus weight, is higher in deficient than control rats. No significant difference was noticed in the content of active peptides when evaluated for the rat. This observation suggests that involution of the thymus does not involve those cells which produce active peptides. Inhibition of RNA synthesis is the same for peptides extracted from normal and from biotin-deficient rat thymus. The amount of plasma peptides controlling DNA template per milliliter of plasma is higher and inhibition of activity on RNA synthesis is lower in deficient as compared to control rats. These effects are reversible following biotin administration.

Site-specific integration and excision of pMEA100 in Nocardia mediterranei

Nocardia mediterranei strain LBG A3136 contains the 23.7 kb element pMEA100 in a chromosomally integrated form as well as in the free state (Moretti et al. 1985). The integrated form of this element can be excised precisely from the Nocardia chromosome without any accompanying rearrangements in flanking chromosomal DNA. After transfer into plasmid-free mutant strains, pMEA100 reintegrates site specifically into its original chromosomal locus. The exact mapping of the pMEA100 integration site was accomplished by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. The attachment site of pMEA100, the junctions of its integrated form and plasmid-free chromosomal DNA of N. mediterranei contain an identical 47 bp long sequence which is probably required for site-specific recombination connected with integration and excision of pMEA100. Only one such sequence was found in the chromosome of pMEA100-free N. mediterranei derivatives as suggested by the single integration locus.

[Neurorehabilitation of the hemiplegic. Short-term clinical study]

The hemiplegic patients, hospitalized for focal vascular encephalopathy, have been examined and subjected to a neurorehabilitation, in order that we could estimate the possible correlations between their response to the therapy, the presence of the deficits of superior cortical functions and the anatomic lesions which gave rise to the motor deficit. The presence of aphasia, apraxia and disorder of body image give an unfavorable influence on the response to the rehabilitative therapy, similarly as what we have observed in the patients who presented symptoms of a spread neuropsychologic compromission, correlable at CT scan with a positive result of ischemic-atrophia. The younger patients, probably better adduced reasons for the treatment and with less incidence of plurifocal lesions, show a better clinical progress.

Effects of acute benzodiazepine administration on growth hormone, prolactin and cortisol release after moderate insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal women

Benzodiazepines are known to affect pituitary hormone release, and it has recently been hypothesized that the adenohypophysial hormone response to stress may be modified by previous benzodiazepine treatment. We investigated, therefore, whether a single dose of triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, and flurazepam, a long-acting one, could influence the response of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol to a mild hypoglycemic stress in young healthy volunteers. Neither triazolam nor flurazepam pretreatment resulted in a significant effect on the pituitary response to hypoglycemic stimulus. The GH, PRL and cortisol peaks after both benzodiazepines were similar to those observed after placebo. Our results seem to exclude, therefore, any relevant effect of acute benzodiazepine administration on the neuroendocrine response to mild stress.

Carotid artery atherosclerotic disease assessed by flow velocity wave form analysis in hemodialyzed normotensive and hypertensive patients

Cerebrovascular accidents, often secondary to severe atherosclerotic disease, are very common in uremic patients on long-term hemodialysis. The aim of the present study is to assess asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerotic disease (CAAD) in hemodialyzed normotensive and hypertensive patients in comparison with age-matched controls, by the use of Doppler ultrasound flow velocity wave form analysis (FVWFA), recorded from the common carotid artery. This study was performed on 47 subjects divided into four groups: 10 young and 10 middle-aged normals were considered in groups I and II, respectively, 5 young uremic normotensive, 6 young uremic hypertensive and 16 middle-aged uremic normotensive patients in groups III, IV and V, respectively. All the examined patients were nonsmokers, without diabetes or cardiopathy. The five wave form dimensions most capable of separating different degrees of atherosclerotic disease were determined on every common carotid tracing and used in a single best fit discriminant equation; the resultant discriminant score (DS) classified each carotid tracing and consequently every group's range. DS of groups I and III were not different, but significantly higher compared to the other three groups; besides DS was statistically not different in groups II, IV and V. In conclusion, FVWFA did not detect a different degree of CAAD between normotensive dialyzed patients and age-matched normals, whereas the blood pressure pharmacological control did not affect the velocity findings of advanced CAAD in young uremic hypertensive patients.

Isolation and characterization of an extrachromosomal element from Nocardia mediterranei

Strain LBG A3136 of Nocardia mediterranei (ETH Collection) was found to contain a low-copy-number covalently closed circular extrachromosomal element, pMEA 100, which could only be isolated from mycelium grown on agar plates. pMEA 100 could not be isolated from the closely related strain ATCC 13685. Hybridization experiments showed that pMEA 100 is present in strain LBG A3136 in the free as well as in the integrated form whereas in strain ATCC 13685 only an integrated form was detected. Excision and reintegration in strain LBG A3136 seemed to be site specific. pMEA100 was found to be self-transmissible, eliciting the lethal zygosis phenotype, and is possibly involved in fertility in N. mediterranei.

The effect of biotin on the formation of different types of E-rosettes by human lymphocytes

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy human donors were cultured with biotin and concanavalin A (Con A) for varying periods up to 48 h. At the end of incubation, the percentages of total, active, and stable E-rosettes were determined. The percentage of total E-rosettes decreased significantly in the course of time in both cultures with biotin and Con A, but more slowly than in the control cultures. Biotin and Con A induced a significant increase in the number of high-affinity E-rosettes (aE-RFC and sE-RFC). Preincubation for 4 h in the presence of puromycin or actinomycin D inhibited biotin, and Con A stimulated E-rosette formation. These results suggest that the effect of biotin on the T lymphocytes might be due to stimulation of protein synthesis and, perhaps, new receptors for sheep red blood cells (SRBC).

Arginine degradation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants blocked in two arginine catabolic pathways

Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants defective in agmatine utilization (agu) were isolated. The genes encoding agmatine deiminase (aguA) and N-carbamoylputrescine amidinohydrolase (aguB) were 98% cotransducible and mapped between gpu and ser-3 in the 30 min region of the chromosome. Constructed agu arc double mutants (blocked in the arginine decarboxylase and arginine deiminase pathways) used arginine efficiently as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. This suggests the existence of a further arginine catabolic pathway in P. aeruginosa. The mapping data of this study confirm that in P. aeruginosa the chromosomal genes with catabolic functions do not show supraoperonic clustering as found in P. putida.

The Carleton University Responsiveness to Suggestion Scale: relationship with other measures of hypnotic susceptibility, expectancies, and absorption

The Carleton University Responsiveness to Suggestion Scale (CURSS) yields scores on three suggestibility dimensions. Objective (CURSS:0) scores and subjective (CURSS:S) scores reflect overt and experiential response to suggestion, respectively. Objective-Involuntariness (CURSS:OI) scores indicate the number of objective responses rated as feeling involuntary. Study 1 indicated that all three suggestibility dimensions correlated significantly with the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, and Study 2 showed the three Catleton suggestibility dimensions correlated significantly with Form C of the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. The majority of subjects who obtained high scores on the Stanford:C also scored high on the Carleton suggestibility dimensions. Like the Harvard:A and Stanford:C the three Carleton suggestibility dimensions also correlated significantly with attitude/expectancy measures, absorption, and Field's (1965) “hypnotic experiences” inventory. CURSS:VC (voluntary-cooperation) scores reflect the number of objective responses rated as feeling primarily voluntary rather than involuntary. CURSS:VC scores did not correlate significantly with attitude/expectancy variables, absorption or “hypnotic experiences.” Theoretical implications are discussed.

Behaviour in biotin-deficient rats of thymic peptides controlling DNA transcription

Biotin-deficient rats show a slowing down of the growth and an involution of the thymus. The amount of the thymic peptides controlling DNA template, if referred to the thymus weight is higher in deficient than in control rats; no significant difference is noticed among the contents of the active peptides when evaluated per rat. The inhibiting activity on RNA synthesis is the same for the peptides extracted from normal and from biotin-deficient rat thymus.

Intracellular distribution of biotin-14COOH in rat liver

Biotin clearance, its distribution in liver and liver fractions after intravenous administration of 5 muCi/100 g body weight (21.55 microgram) of biotin-14COOH in normal and biotin-deficient rats are reported. In the biotin deficient animal there is a more rapid disappearance of the labeled biotin from the blood stream. Biotin-14COOH incorporation in the liver of the deficient rat is more rapid and larger than the incorporation in normal rat liver. Almost all the biotin recovered from liver homogenate is found in the mitochondria and in the pH 5.2 cytosol fraction; whereas in the microsomes only a very small amount is present. The intracellular distribution of biotin is in agreement with its known metabolic roles.

Effects of biotin deficiency on serum proteins and plasma amino acids

In biotin-deficient rats, a decrease of total proteins, attributable to a decrease of albumin and alpha1-globulin fractions, a decrease of the pre-beta-lipoproteins and an increase of the alpha-lipoproteins, was observed, together with a rise of total amino acids. Such a situation may be related to the influence of biotin on the synthesis of RNA and proteins.

Effect of biotin on phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation of rat liver histones

Biotin deficient rat liver histones showed decreased phosphorylation and methylation, and increased acetylation rates as compared to normal rat liver histones: these alterations may be related to the observed lower stability of the interactions between histones and DNA. The modifications of the metabolic process might be the consequence of an alteration of the synthesis of the enzymes involved in histone phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation mechanisms and are presumably related to a biotin effect upon the synthesis of RNA and proteins.

Biotin as a regulator of some haematic parameters and of DNA-content of the liver of old rats

Biotin administration to old rats (28 months) causes in the blood an increase of ATP, glucose, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase and a decrease of cholesterol and acid phosphatase; in the liver DNA and electrostatic interactions between DNA and histones are increased. Such parameters come within the values shown by adult rats.

Transport of sodium, water, 3-O-methyl-glucose and L-phenylalanine in vitro in biotin-deficient rats intestine

In biotin-deficient rats, a decreased intestinal transport of Na+, H2O and L-phenylalanine, and no transport differences of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose were observed. The lower Na+ and L-phenylalanine transport appears to be referable to a decreased energy availability and probably not to the lack of a carrier.

Effect of biotin on DNA and histone phosphorylation in the rat liver

The results offer further evidence for biotin activity in the phosphorylation mechanism. The decreased 32p incorporation into DNA and histones found in the biotin deficient rat liver is indicative of the importance of the vitamin in the DNA and histones synthesis and in the interactions between histone proteins and DNA, and consequently on the RNA and proteins synthesis.