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Variational methods are used in order to establish the existence and the multiplicity of nontrivial periodic solutions of a second order dynamical system. The main results are obtained when the potential satisfies different superquadratic conditions at infinity. The particular case of equations with a concave-convex nonlinear term is covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary approaches to control inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may include proanthocyanidin-rich foods. Our previous research showed that a hydrophilic extract from Sicilian pistachio nut (HPE) contains substantial amounts of proanthocyanidins and possesses anti-inflammatory activities. Purpose: We studied the effects of HPE and of its polymeric proanthocyanidin fraction (PPF) in a cell model that simulated some conditions of IBD, consisting of interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. Methods: HPE was prepared by Pistacia vera L. nuts, and PPF was isolated from HPE by adsorbance chromatography. Proanthocyanidins were quantified as anthocyanidins after acidic hydrolysis. Differentiated Caco-2 cells were pre-incubated with HPE or PPF and then were exposed to IL-1β. Cell viability and parameters associated with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation were assayed. Adsorption of polymeric proanthocyanidins to the cell membrane was investigated by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. Results: HPE decreased prostaglandin (PG)E production, IL-6 and IL-8 release, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. HPE also inhibited the increase in paracellular permeability and reduced NF-κB activation. Polymeric proanthocyanidins, tested at a concentration comparable with their content in HPE, produced effects comparable to HPE. Finally, cell exposure to PPF increases TEER of the epithelial monolayers. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that pistachio nut components inhibit inflammatory response of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and indicate polymeric proanthocyanidins as the major bioactive nut components. The protection implies inhibition of NF-κB activation and occurs in parallel with the adsorption of polymeric proanthocyanidins to cell membrane. Our findings suggest that intake of small amounts of pistachio nut can exert beneficial effects to gastrointestinal pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note we propose a variational approach to a parametric differential problem where a prescribed mean curvature equation is considered. In particular, without asymptotic assumptions at zero and at infinity on the potential, we obtain an explicit positive interval of parameters for which the problem under examination has at least one nontrivial and nonnegative solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a Dirichlet type problem for a nonlinear, nonlocal equation driven by the degenerate fractional p-Laplacian, whose reaction combines a sublinear term depending on a positive parameter and an asymmetric perturbation (superlinear at positive infinity, at most linear at negative infinity). By means of critical point theory and Morse theory, we prove that, for small enough values of the parameter, such problem admits at least four nontrivial solutions: two positive, one negative, and one nodal. As a tool, we prove a Brezis-Oswald type comparison result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Association between sleep disorders and headache is largely known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep quality and quantity in a large cohort of primary headache patients, in order to correlate these scores with symptoms of central sensitization as allodynia, pericranial tenderness and comorbidity with diffuse muscle-skeletal pain. Methods: One thousand six hundreds and seventy primary headache out patients were submitted to the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) within a clinical assessment, consisting of evaluation of frequency of headache, pericranial tenderness, allodynia and coexistence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). Results: Ten groups of primary headache patients were individuated, including patients with episodic and chronic migraine and tension type headache, mixed forms, cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Duration but not sleep disturbances score was correlated with symptoms of central sensitization as allodynia and pericranial tenderness in primary headache patients. The association among allodynia, pericranial tenderness and short sleep characterized chronic migraine more than any other primary headache form. Patients presenting with FM comorbidity suffered from sleep disturbances in addition to reduction of sleep duration. Conclusion: Self reported duration of sleep seems a useful index to be correlated with allodynia, pericranial tenderness and chronic headache as a therapeutic target to be assessed in forthcoming studies aiming to prevent central sensitization symptoms development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fibromyalgia (FM), reduced habituation of laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) suggests a dysfunction of pain processing at a central level. In this study, we aimed to further examine the nociceptive pathways at the peripheral to the central level in a large group of FM patients by means of LEPs and skin biopsy, in light of healthy controls findings and main clinical features. One hundred and ninety-nine FM patients and 109 age- and sex-matched controls were submitted to LEPs by the dorsum of the right hand and the skin over the right chest and knee tender point stimulation. Skin biopsy was performed in 21 randomly selected FM patients and 60 age- and sex-matched controls. The mean N2-P2 amplitude was reduced in the whole FM group, with normal or even increased values in patients with migraine as comorbidity and reduced values in other patients including those presenting with distal sensory deficits. All patients had reduced N2-P2 habituation in respect to controls. In the FM group, LEPs habituation was correlated with pain at tender points and bad quality of life. Epidermal fiber density was significantly reduced in FM patients versus controls, and correlated with N2-P2 amplitude by the hand and chest tender-point stimulation. Dysfunction in the nociceptive system at both the central and peripheral levels may concur to explain phenotypical eterogeneity and clinical symptom complexity in fibromyalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the absorption mechanism of the phytochemicals indicaxanthin and betanin and the influence of their food matrix (cactus pear and red beet) on the intestinal transport. Methods: Trans-epithelial transport of dietary-consistent amounts of indicaxanthin and betanin in Caco-2 cell monolayers seeded on Transwell inserts was measured in apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral to apical (BL-AP) direction, under an inwardly directed pH gradient (pH 6.0/7.4, AP/BL) mimicking luminal and serosal sides of human intestinal epithelium. The effect of inhibitors of membrane transporters on the absorption was also evaluated. Contribution of the paracellular route was investigated after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. In vitro digestion of betalainic food was performed to provide a post-intestinal fraction containing bioaccessible pigments. Results: Apparent permeability coefficients ( P) in the absorptive direction were (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10 and (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10 cm s for indicaxanthin and betanin, respectively. Transport of indicaxanthin was non-polarized, linear as a function of time and concentration, and unaffected by inhibitors of membrane transporters. Betanin exhibited significantly different bidirectional P values and non-linear efflux kinetics. The concentration-dependent betanin efflux was described by a kinetic model including one non-saturable ( K = 0.042 μL cm min) and one saturable component identified as the apical multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2; K = 275 μM; J = 42 pmol min cm). Permeation of both betalains increased remarkably after EDTA treatment of the cell monolayer. Neither indicaxanthin nor betanin underwent metabolic transformation. Food matrix did not affect trans-epithelial transfer of indicaxanthin, but reduced the absorption rate of betanin, red beet more than cactus pear. Conclusions: Dietary indicaxanthin and betanin can substantially be absorbed through paracellular junctions of intestinal epithelial cells. Additional trans-membrane permeation can be considered for betanin, whose absorption is limited by a MRP2-mediated efflux and negatively affected by its food matrix. Present findings are consistent with the quite higher bioavailability of indicaxanthin over betanin established in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compared the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of paracetamol 1,000 mg + caffeine 130 mg (PCF) with sumatriptan 50 mg (SUM) in migraine attacks. This was a multi-center randomized double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over controlled trial. The efficacy was assessed by the sum of pain intensity differences, the curve of mean pain intensity, the number of pain free at 2 h, and the total pain relief. Tolerability was assessed by recording adverse events within 4 h after drug assumption and evaluating the global judgement of patients. The comparison of these parameters did not show differences between the two drugs which resulted absolutely overlapping in pain relief and patients evaluation. In conclusion, we confirm the efficacy and safety of PCF such as SUM in the treatment of migraine attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels exert several neurotoxic actions and vascular dysfunctions that may be involved in pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The effective role of Hcy in MS however remains to be determined. The aim of this work was to compare plasma Hcy levels in MS patients and neurological disease controls (NDC) and to evaluate their relationships with clinical and demographic variables. In this cross-sectional study, we examined plasma Hcy levels in 217 patients with MS [53 clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of MS, 134 relapsing remitting (RR), 23 secondary progressive (SP) and seven primary progressive (PP) MS], recruited among patients attending a tertiary clinical center in southern Italy and in 219 age/sex-matched controls. Median Hcy levels were slightly higher in MS patients compared to NDC (9.1 μmol/l; range, 3.4-35.9 vs. 8.6, range 3.5-27.4; p = 0.02). Median Hcy concentrations were increased in males more than in females in the MS population (10.4 vs. 8.4; p < 0.0001), whereas no differences across genders were found in NDC (9.1 vs. 8.5). Hcy levels were higher in male MS patients compared to the male NDC patients ( p = 0.001). Patients with CIS had lower Hcy (7.5 μmol/l; p = 0.004) compared to patients with RR (9.5 μmol/l), SP (10.1 μmol/l) and PP (9.9 μmol/l). Median Hcy concentration was higher in patients with disease duration longer than 22 months (9.7 vs. 8.6 μmol/l; p = 0.02). Plasma Hcy levels are increased in patients with definite MS. Higher Hcy levels are associated with male sex, suggesting a role of Hcy in neurodegenerative processes of MS, which are prominent in male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum levels of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) may be considered a useful marker of neuronal functioning. We aimed to measure serum NAA in cohorts of migraine and tension-type headache patients versus controls, performing correlations with main clinical features. A total of 147 migraine patients (including migraine without aura, with aura and chronic migraine), 65 tension-type headache (including chronic and frequent episodic tension-type headache) and 34 sex- and age-matched controls were selected. Serum was stored at −80 °C. Quantification of NAA was achieved by the standard addition approach and analysis was performed with liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry (LC/MS) technique. The NAA levels were significantly decreased in migraine group (0.065 ± 0.019 mol/L), compared with both tension-type headache patients (0.078 ± 0.016 mol/L) and controls (0.085 ± 0.013 mol/L). Control subjects were significantly different from migraine with and without aura and chronic migraine, who differed significantly from episodic and chronic tension-type headache. Migraine with aura patients showed lower NAA levels when compared to all the other headache subtypes, including migraine without aura and chronic migraine. In the migraine group, no significant correlation was found between NAA serum levels, and headache frequency, allodynia and interval from the last and the next attack. The low NAA in the serum may be a sign of neuronal dysfunction predisposing to migraine, probably based on reduced mitochondria function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Positive effects of pistachio nut consumption on plasma inflammatory biomarkers have been described; however, little is known about molecular events associated with these effects. Purpose: We studied the anti-inflammatory activity of a hydrophilic extract from Sicilian Pistacia L. (HPE) in a macrophage model and investigated bioactive components relevant to the observed effects. Methods: HPE oligomer/polymer proanthocyanidin fractions were isolated by adsorbance chromatography, and components quantified as anthocyanidins after acidic hydrolysis. Isoflavones were measured by gradient elution HPLC analysis. RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were pre-incubated with either HPE (1- to 20-mg fresh nut equivalents) or its isolated components for 1 h, then washed before stimulating with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. Cell viability and parameters associated with Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) activation were assayed according to established methods including ELISA, Western blot, or cytofluorimetric analysis. Results: HPE suppressed nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and inducible NO-synthase levels dose dependently, whereas inhibited prostaglandin E (PGE) release and decreased cyclo-oxygenase-2 content, the lower the HPE amount the higher the effect. Cytotoxic effects were not observed. HPE also caused a dose-dependent decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species and interfered with the NF-κB activation. Polymeric proanthocyanidins, but not isoflavones, at a concentration comparable with their content in HPE, inhibited NO, PGE, and TNF-α formation, as well as activation of IκB-α. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins showed only minor effects. Conclusions: Our results provide molecular evidence of anti-inflammatory activity of pistachio nut and indicate polymeric proanthocyanidins as the bioactive components. The mechanism may involve the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-κB. Potential effects associated with pistachio nut consumption are discussed in terms of the proanthocyanidin bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study assessed the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome in migraine and tension-type headache. We aimed to update our previous results, considering a larger cohort of primary headache patients who came for the first time at our tertiary headache ambulatory. A consecutive sample of 1,123 patients was screened. Frequency of FM in the main groups and types of primary headaches; discriminating factor for FM comorbidity derived from headache frequency and duration, age, anxiety, depression, headache disability, allodynia, pericranial tenderness, fatigue, quality of life and sleep, and probability of FM membership in groups; and types of primary headaches were assessed. FM was present in 174 among a total of 889 included patients. It prevailed in the tension-type headache main group (35%, p < 0.0001) and chronic tension-type headache subtype (44.3%, p < 0.0001). Headache frequency, anxiety, pericranial tenderness, poor sleep quality, and physical disability were the best discriminating variables for FM comorbidity, with 81.2% sensitivity. Patients presenting with chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache had a higher probability of sharing the FM profile (Bonferroni test, p < 0.01). A phenotypic profile where headache frequency concurs with anxiety, sleep disturbance, and pericranial tenderness should be individuated to detect the development of diffuse pain in headache patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of high-frequency (HF) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left primary motor cortex (M1) on subjective pain and evoked responses induced by laser stimulation (LEPs) of the contralateral hand and supraorbital zone in a cohort of migraine patients without aura during the inter-critical phase, and to compare the effects with those of non-migraine healthy controls. Thirteen migraine patients and 12 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated. Each rTMS session consisted of 1,800 stimuli at a frequency of 5 Hz and 90% motor threshold intensity. Sham (control) rTMS was performed at the same stimulation position. The vertex LEP amplitude was reduced at the trigeminal and hand levels in the sham-placebo condition and after rTMS to a greater extent in the migraine patients than in healthy controls, while the laser pain rating was unaffected. These results suggest that HF rTMS of motor cortex and the sham procedure can both modulate pain-related evoked responses in migraine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between estrogens “withdrawal” and attacks of migraine without aura is well-known. The aim of the study was to examine the features of laser evoked potentials (LEPs), including habituation, in women suffering from migraine without aura versus healthy controls, during the pre-menstrual and late luteal phases. Nine migraine without aura and 10 non-migraine healthy women, were evaluated during the pre-menstrual phase and late luteal phase. The LEPs were recorded during the inter-critical phase. The right supraorbital zone and the dorsum of the right hand were stimulated. Three consecutive series of 20 laser stimuli were obtained for each stimulation site. Laser pain perception was rated by a 0–100 VAS after each stimulation series. Migraine patients exhibited increased LEPs amplitude and reduced habituation compared to normal subjects. Laser-pain perception was increased during the pre-menstrual phase in both patients and controls. Migraine patients and controls showed increased P2 and N2–P2 amplitude in the pre-menstrual phase, on both stimulation sites. During the pre-menstrual phase the N2–P2 habituation appeared to be reduced in both migraine and healthy women. The estrogen withdrawal occurring during the menstrual cycle may favor reduced habituation of nociceptive cortex, which may facilitate pain symptoms and migraine in predisposed women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate heat pain thresholds and evoked potentials following CO2 laser thermal stimulation (laser-evoked potentials, LEPs), during remote application of capsaicin, in migraine patients vs. non-migraine healthy controls. Twelve outpatients suffering from migraine without aura were compared with 10 healthy controls. The LEPs were recorded by 6 scalp electrodes, stimulating the dorsum of the right hand and the right supraorbital zone in basal condition, during the application of 3% capsaicin on the dorsum of the left hand and after capsaicin removal. In normal subjects, the laser pain and the N2-P2 vertex complex obtained by the hand and face stimulation were significantly reduced during remote capsaicin application, with respect to pre-and post-capsaicin conditions, while in migraine LEPs and laser pain were not significantly modified during remote painful stimulation. In migraine a defective brainstem inhibiting control may coexist with cognitive factors of focalised attention to facial pain, less sensitive to distraction by a second pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??A general min?max principle established by Ghoussoub is extended to the case of functionalsfwhich are the sum of a locally Lipschitz continuous term and of a convex, proper, lower semicontinuous function, whenfsatisfies a compactness condition weaker than the Palais?Smale one, i.e., the so-called Cerami condition. Moreover, an application to a class of elliptic variational?hemivariational inequalities in the resonant case is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoptotic deletion of autoreactive T–cells is defective in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Glatiramer acetate (GA) treatment seems to restore apoptosis of detrimental T–cells. We analyzed the mitochondria membrane pro– (Bax) and anti–apoptotic (Bcl– 2) and cytosolic pro–apoptotic (Cyt–c, APAF–1) proteins expression in peripheral lymphocytes from relapsing–remitting (RR) MS patients during GA treatment. Blood samples were collected from 8 healthy controls (HCs) and from 8 RR MS patients prior to and every three months during the 9 months of GA treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) Bcl–2, Bax, Cyt–c and APAF–1 were quantified by western blot followed by densitometric scanning and Bax/Bcl–2, cytosolic Cyt–c/Bcl–2 and APAF–1/Bcl–2 ratios were calculated. T–cells were in vitro tested for oxygen consumption by a respirometric analysis. Bax/Bcl–2, cytosolic Cyt–c/Bcl–2 and APAF–1/Bcl–2 ratios in untreated MS patients were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in HCs. Bax/Bcl–2 ratio increased (p = 0.03) and Cyt–c/Bcl–2 ratio showed a trend to increase during the 9 months of GA treatment in MS patients. A reduction of 58% and 59% in oxygen consumption by PBMNCs was evident after GA treatment in vitro or when GA treated patients' cells were compared with those from HCs, respectively. Our findings suggest that GA exerts a regulatory effect on peripheral T lymphocytes through pro–apoptosis mechanisms involving mitochondria and cytosolic proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This independent, population-based surveillance study monitored, in clinical practice, the efficacy of interferon beta (IFNβ) products in 1173 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Italy. Relapses and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were evaluated for up to 6 years for Avonex, Betaferon and Rebif 22 groups, and for up to 3 years for the Rebif 44 group. IFNβ products produced significant reductions from baseline in relapse rates at 2, 4 and >4 years ( p<0.0001), with no differences among treatments ( p=0.2). A modest significant ( p<0.05) increase of EDSS was observed in all treatment groups from baseline to 48 months, followed thereafter by a plateau. The IFNβ-1b group showed more withdrawals (19%) compared with Avonex (6%) and Rebif (7%) at 6 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduced habituation of averaged laser–evoked potential (LEP) amplitudes was previously found in migraine patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the habituation of single LEP responses and pain sensation during the interictal phase in migraine patients. Fourteen migraine patients were compared with ten control subjects. The pain stimulus was laser pulses, generated by CO2 laser, delivered to right supraorbital zone. Patients were evaluated during attack–free conditions. The LEP habituation was studied by measuring the changes of LEP amplitudes across and within three consecutive repetitions of 21 non–averaged trials. In migraine patients the N2–P2 wave amplitudes did not show a tendency toward habituation across and, above all, within the three repetitions. Anomalous behaviour of nociceptive cortex during the interictal phase of migraine may predispose patients to headache occurrence and persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary blepharospasm is an adult-onset focal dystonia characterised by involuntary contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscles. Patients may have various types of movements arising from the different parts of the orbicularis oculi muscle. These include typical blepharospasm associated with Charcot’s sign, pretarsal blepharospasm and flickering of the eyelids. Primary blepharospasm may be associated with so-called apraxia of eyelid opening as well as dystonia in the lower face, jaw or cervical muscles. Unless there are clinical clues to a symptomatic cause, adults presenting with blepharospasm do not require extensive aetiological investigation because the condition is rarely due to an identifiable condition. As the aetiology of primary blepharospasm is largely unknown, therapeutic approaches are symptomatic, with type A botulinum toxin being the treatment of choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be an inflammatory demyelinating disease, increasing evidence indicates that it is also an axonal pathology; indeed, studies of experimental allergic encephalitis showed that several neuronal proteins such as synapsins take part in the pathogenesis of the axonal dysfunction. Synapsins are a family of abundant neuron-specific phosphoproteins with crucial roles in synaptogenesis and neuronal plasticity. Distinct genes encode the three different isolated proteins (I, II and III); of interest, the gene of synapsin III (SYN3) is located in the chromosome 22q12-q13, a locus close to one of the candidate susceptibility regions (22q13.1) for MS. In the present study we selected two polymorphisms (g.–631C > G and g.–196A > G) within the SYN3 5’-promoter region because of the protein’s role and genetic location; we analysed the allele and genotype distributions of these polymorphisms in a selected MS population of southern Italy. An inverse association between MS and the g-631C > G polymorphism was found; indeed, the two polymorphisms were in almost complete linkage disequilibrium and the haplotype analysis showed that the C631/A196 haplotype seemed to confer a significant protection against MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we deal with the existence of at least three classical solutions for the following ordinary Dirichlet problem:¶¶ $ \left\{\begin{array}{ll} u'' + \lambda h(u')f(t,\:u) = 0\\ u(0) = u(1) = 0.\\\end{array}\right.\ $¶¶Our main tool is a recent three critical points theorem of B. Ricceri ([10]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), localised to the basal ganglia, was used to determine changes in metabolite levels in idiopathic spasmodic torticollis (IST). We examined nine patients and 13 healthy subjects. The mean values ( ± SD) of peak area ratios were: IST: N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/choline-containing compounds (Cho) 1.79 ± 0.39, NAA/creatine and phosphocreatine compounds (Cr) 1.61 ± 0.38, Cho/Cr 0.91 ± 0.19; controls: NAA/Cho 2.07 ± 0.35, NAA/Cr 1.82 ± 0.31, Cho/Cr 0.89 ± 0.12. Statistical analysis showed that NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were significantly lower in patients than in controls ( P = 0.0304 and 0.0431, respectively). These results indicate a reduction in NAA, and suggest striatal involvement in the pathogenesis IST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age at onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) can vary from childhood to adult life. Many reports have been carried out over the years concerning the role of age at onset in determining the disease outcome. In a sporadic MS population of 1463 patients with homogeneous clinical and demographic features, derived from three Italian neurological centres (Bari, Cagliari and Sassari), we analysed the relative weights of current age and age at onset on disease severity according to the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, by fixing the disease duration.The results of present study demonstrate that clinical disability in MS in influenced by the patient's age (p<0.01) and not by the age at onset. Therefore, these data do not confirm the hypothesis that an early age at onset should be considered a favourable prognostic factor of the disease outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A soluble lipid-protein complex in bovine retinal pigment epithelium is shown to carry endogenous 11-cis retinaldehyde, in the extent of 15% of the total 11-cis retinaldehyde found in this tissue. The complex, analyzed with respect to its chemical composition, exhibits a lipid composition close resembling the lipid composition of the rod outer segment membrane; the SDS-PAGE evidences the presence of a number of protein bands, two of which of 34 and 27 kDa appear glycoproteins. Finally, the lipid-protein complex exhibits a discrete level of a Cathepsin D-like protease activity. From the above, the possibility is discussed that the soluble lipid-protein complex could represent some phagolysosomal inclusion occurring in the pigment epithelial cells upon rod outer segment phagocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diphenylhydantoin (DPH) is known to induce reversible paroxysmal dyskinesias and paranoid psychosis in humans, but its interactions with dopamine (DA) metabolism are not clear. Single doses of DPH (60-100 mg kg), with serum levels over 10 μg ml, reduced homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in rat striatum. The DPH-induced HVA decrease was enhanced by supersensitivity of postsynaptic DA receptors following chronic haloperidol (Hal) administration. DPH 60 mg kg given acutely enhanced the HVA decrease induced by apomorphine (Apo) and partially counteracted the HVA increase following acute Hal (0.1-0.5-2 mg kg). After chronic DPH treatment, Apo was ineffective in reducing striatal HVA levels. Concomitant chronic treatment with DPH and Hal counteracted the development of supersensitivity of postsynaptic DA receptors to Apo. Single doses of DPH (30-60-100 mg kg) increased cyclic AMP striatal content; this effect was blocked by Hal. A dopaminomimetic DPH action and a subsensitivity of postsynaptic DA receptors after chronic DPH seem to be suggested. These effects could be related to the dyskinetic and psychotic syndromes produced by the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ten children affected by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia without CNS involvement were treated with a CNS prophylaxis protocol. Intrathecal methotrexate and CNS irradiation (Co) administered at different times both induced an increase in blood-CSF barrier permeability to serum proteins (albumin, IgG, alpha macroglobulin). The relationship between permeability coefficients of proteins was analysed by theoretical porous or vesicular blood-CSF barrier models. The analysis indicated that both therapeutic procedures affect endothelial pinocytosis. An increase in radius of pinocytotic vesicles from 400 to 1500 Å seemed the most relevant change. The damage of endothelial barrier permselectivity could be involved in acute and late delayed toxic effects of intrathecal methotrexate and of CNS irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Neurology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Neurology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Agricultural exposure to the organomanganese fungicide MANEB (manganese-ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate) may induce an extrapyramidal syndrome resembling parkinsonism. To evaluate the relative role of manganese (Mn) and ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDTC) in the hazard of organomanganese fungicides, we studied the effects of MANCOZEB (Mn-Zinc-EBDTC) and ZINEB (Zinc-EBDTC) on serumless dissociated mesencephalic-striatal primary coculture. High affinity H-dopamine (DA) and C GABA uptakes as well as immunocytochemical staining of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-containing cells were used as specific functional markers of DA and GABA neuron viability. Both MANCOZEB and ZINEB, at 10 and 50 μM concentrations, dose dependently reduced DA and GABA viability parameters. These data suggest that EBDTC rather than Mn may be primarily responsible for the cytotoxicity of organomanganese fungicides on neuronal systems relevant to the pathophysiology of parkinsonism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

11-cis retinaldehyde binding analysis was performed on a bovine retinal pigment epithelium preparation of cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), whose purity degree was estimated as 75%. Equilibrium binding studies were carried out measuring the replacement of tritium-labeled with unlabeled 11-cis retinaldehyde at 25°C. Analysis of the experimental data both by a direct curve-fitting procedure utilizing a non linear least square regression analysis and by a conventional Scatchard plot revealed a single non-interacting binding site with an apparent equilibrium constant of 0.9×10 M. A binding stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of 11-cis retinaldehyde/mol of binding protein can be calculated from the experimental data. Competition studies carried out in the presence of unlabeled 'trans' and 'cis' isomers of Vitamin A derivatives confirm the high degree of specificity of the 11-cis retinaldehyde binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary blepharospasm is an adult-onset dystonia typically present at rest and exacerbated by bright light, stress and voluntary movements of eyes and eyelids. Inconsistency or inducibility by activities involving muscles other than orbicularis oculi muscles are considered incongruous with typical primary blepharospasm, heralding the suspicion of psychogenicity. We report the clinical vignette of two patients manifesting an unusual presentation of primary blepharospasm, specifically triggered by voiced speech and associated with an otherwise ‘typical’ presentation of primary adult-onset dystonia in the lower face, larynx or upper limb. Speech-induced primary blepharospasm seems a rare occurrence, representing 1.3% of our clinic-based series of 149 patients with primary adult-onset primary blepharospasm. In these atypical patients, the feature of speech inducibility suggests that the abnormal surrounding inhibition between cortical subregions representing laryngeal and orbicularis oculi muscles might underlie dystonic overflow to the orbicularis oculi muscles following the voiced speech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature data concerning the comorbidity of migraine and hypertension are conflicting and lacking in consistency [1–4]. This study was designed to evaluate the distribution of hypertension in a sample of migraineurs in comparison with a group of tensiontype headache (TTH) patients. Hypertension prevalence was more elevated in headache sufferers than in the general population. This finding might be due to a Berkson’s bias; in fact individuals seeking medical care often show a high rate of association between two medical conditions which may be independent in the general population [5]. The highest hypertension prevalence was found in patients with TTH, supporting the hypothesis that this type of headache might be based upon vascular mechanisms [6]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of significant and confounding psychiatric comorbidity is greater in patients attending headache clinics than in headache patients from the general population. The frequent comorbidity of headache with generalized anxiety disorder can take advantage of the administration of benzodiazepines. With regard to depression–related headache, it’s wellknown that the antidepressive drugs can improve migraine as well as tension–type headache. Antiepileptic drugs give one more good opportunity. The recognition of a psychiatric comorbidity is mandatory for an accurate management of the patient beacause prevents the clinicians from using any drug that might be dangerous for a mysdiagnosed psychiatric disturbance and often permits to administer medications that can efficaciously control both headache and psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we examined clinical and laser-evoked potentials (LEP) features in two groups of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients treated with two different approaches: intra-oral appliance of prosthesis, aiming to reduce muscular tenderness, and 10 mg daily amitriptyline. Eighteen patients suffering from CTTH (IHS, 2004) participated in the study. We performed a basal evaluation of clinical features and LEPs in all patients (T0)vs.12 age- and sex-matched controls; successively, patients were randomly assigned to a two-month treatment by amitriptyline or intra-oral device appliance. The later LEPs, especially the P2 component, were significantly increased in amplitude in the CTTH group. Both the intra-oral prosthesis and amitriptyline significantly reduced headache frequency. Total Tenderness Score was significantly reduced in the group treated by the prosthesis. The amplitude of P2 response elicited by stimulation of pericranial zones showed a reduction after amitriptyline treatment. The results of this study may confirm that pericranial tenderness is primarily a phenomenon initiating a self-perpetuating circuit, favoured by central sensitisation at the level of the cortical nociceptive areas devoted to the attentive and emotive compounds of pain. Both the interventions at the peripheral and central levels may interrupt this reverberating circuit, improving the outcome of headache. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is usually in adult life (age 20–40 years). Discordant data have been reported concerning the frequency of early onset MS (EOMS) that ranges from 2.7% to 5%, whereas there is a general agreement on prevalence of female sex, particularly after puberty. The initial symptoms in EOMS are frequently characterized by visual loss whereas the other functional systems are involved with a variable frequency. Literature data show that EOMS tends to have a relapsing-remitting course, a high rate of recovery from the initial attack, a long time interval between the first and second attacks and a slow progression rate. A poor prognosis is reported in a few cases of EOMS and seems to be related to number of relapses and to the delay between the first and second attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aimed to validate Headache Digest (HD), a self-administered questionnaire, as a reliable screening instrument for migraine. Topics discussed include average visit of headache patients in the healthcare environments, several details such as onset, clinical course and attack frequency included in the HD, and relationship between patients' waiting time and headache diagnosis.

We investigate phase synchronisation in EEG recordings from migraine patients. We use the analytic signal technique, based on the Hilbert transform, and find that migraine brains are characterised by enhanced alpha band phase synchronisation in the presence of visual stimuli. In migraine, the brain synchronises to the idling rhythm of the visual areas under certain photic stimulations; hypersynchronisation of the alpha rhythm may suggest a state of cortical hypoexcitability during the interictal phase of migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is a recognized problem in Parkinson's disease and other clinical conditions. We characterized this symptom in 19 patients and 19 age- and sex-matched controls, using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Fatigue may be an independent symptom in Parkinson's disease, frequently associated with depression. Our analysis showed the usefulness of the MFI in discriminating between different dimensions of fatigue for a better therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]