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157 results on '"Carratù, M."'

1. Test Platform for Data Fusion Application in Indoor Positioning

Author

Carratù, M., Dello Iacono, S., Ferro, M., Paciello, V., Pietrosanto, A., Angrisani, Leopoldo, Series Editor, Arteaga, Marco, Series Editor, Panigrahi, Bijaya Ketan, Series Editor, Chakraborty, Samarjit, Series Editor, Chen, Jiming, Series Editor, Chen, Shanben, Series Editor, Chen, Tan Kay, Series Editor, Dillmann, Rüdiger, Series Editor, Duan, Haibin, Series Editor, Ferrari, Gianluigi, Series Editor, Ferre, Manuel, Series Editor, Hirche, Sandra, Series Editor, Jabbari, Faryar, Series Editor, Jia, Limin, Series Editor, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Khamis, Alaa, Series Editor, Kroeger, Torsten, Series Editor, Liang, Qilian, Series Editor, Martín, Ferran, Series Editor, Ming, Tan Cher, Series Editor, Minker, Wolfgang, Series Editor, Misra, Pradeep, Series Editor, Möller, Sebastian, Series Editor, Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Series Editor, Ning, Cun-Zheng, Series Editor, Nishida, Toyoaki, Series Editor, Pascucci, Federica, Series Editor, Qin, Yong, Series Editor, Seng, Gan Woon, Series Editor, Speidel, Joachim, Series Editor, Veiga, Germano, Series Editor, Wu, Haitao, Series Editor, Zhang, Junjie James, Series Editor, Di Francia, G., editor, Di Natale, C., editor, Alfano, B., editor, De Vito, S., editor, Esposito, E., editor, Fattoruso, G., editor, Formisano, F., editor, Massera, E., editor, Miglietta, M. L., editor, and Polichetti, T., editor

Published
2020
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2. Design and Implementation of a Diagnostic Scheme for Stroke Sensors in Motorcycle Semi-active Suspension Systems

Author

Capriglione, D., Carratù, M., Dello Iacono, S., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., Avoci Ugwiri, M., Angrisani, Leopoldo, Series Editor, Arteaga, Marco, Series Editor, Panigrahi, Bijaya Ketan, Series Editor, Chakraborty, Samarjit, Series Editor, Chen, Jiming, Series Editor, Chen, Shanben, Series Editor, Chen, Tan Kay, Series Editor, Dillmann, Rüdiger, Series Editor, Duan, Haibin, Series Editor, Ferrari, Gianluigi, Series Editor, Ferre, Manuel, Series Editor, Hirche, Sandra, Series Editor, Jabbari, Faryar, Series Editor, Jia, Limin, Series Editor, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Khamis, Alaa, Series Editor, Kroeger, Torsten, Series Editor, Liang, Qilian, Series Editor, Martín, Ferran, Series Editor, Ming, Tan Cher, Series Editor, Minker, Wolfgang, Series Editor, Misra, Pradeep, Series Editor, Möller, Sebastian, Series Editor, Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Series Editor, Ning, Cun-Zheng, Series Editor, Nishida, Toyoaki, Series Editor, Pascucci, Federica, Series Editor, Qin, Yong, Series Editor, Seng, Gan Woon, Series Editor, Speidel, Joachim, Series Editor, Veiga, Germano, Series Editor, Wu, Haitao, Series Editor, Zhang, Junjie James, Series Editor, Di Francia, G., editor, Di Natale, C., editor, Alfano, B., editor, De Vito, S., editor, Esposito, E., editor, Fattoruso, G., editor, Formisano, F., editor, Massera, E., editor, Miglietta, M. L., editor, and Polichetti, T., editor

Published
2020
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4. A Virtual ANN-Based Sensor for IFD in Two-Wheeled Vehicle

Author

Capriglione, D., Carratù, M., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., Angrisani, Leopoldo, Series Editor, Arteaga, Marco, Series Editor, Panigrahi, Bijaya Ketan, Series Editor, Chakraborty, Samarjit, Series Editor, Chen, Jiming, Series Editor, Chen, Shanben, Series Editor, Chen, Tan Kay, Series Editor, Dillmann, Ruediger, Series Editor, Duan, Haibin, Series Editor, Ferrari, Gianluigi, Series Editor, Ferre, Manuel, Series Editor, Hirche, Sandra, Series Editor, Jabbari, Faryar, Series Editor, Jia, Limin, Series Editor, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Khamis, Alaa, Series Editor, Kroeger, Torsten, Series Editor, Liang, Qilian, Series Editor, Ming, Tan Cher, Series Editor, Minker, Wolfgang, Series Editor, Misra, Pradeep, Series Editor, Möller, Sebastian, Series Editor, Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Series Editor, Ning, Cun-Zheng, Series Editor, Nishida, Toyoaki, Series Editor, Pascucci, Federica, Series Editor, Qin, Yong, Series Editor, Seng, Gan Woon, Series Editor, Veiga, Germano, Series Editor, Wu, Haitao, Series Editor, Zhang, Junjie James, Series Editor, Andò, Bruno, editor, Baldini, Francesco, editor, Di Natale, Corrado, editor, Ferrari, Vittorio, editor, Marletta, Vincenzo, editor, Marrazza, Giovanna, editor, Militello, Valeria, editor, Miolo, Giorgia, editor, Rossi, Marco, editor, Scalise, Lorenzo, editor, and Siciliano, Pietro, editor

Published
2019
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5. IEEE 21451-001 Signal Treatment Applied to Smart Transducers

Author

Abate, F., Carratù, M., Espírito-Santo, A., Huang, V., Monte, G., Paciello, V., Angrisani, Leopoldo, Series Editor, Arteaga, Marco, Series Editor, Panigrahi, Bijaya Ketan, Series Editor, Chakraborty, Samarjit, Series Editor, Chen, Jiming, Series Editor, Chen, Shanben, Series Editor, Chen, Tan Kay, Series Editor, Dillmann, Ruediger, Series Editor, Duan, Haibin, Series Editor, Ferrari, Gianluigi, Series Editor, Ferre, Manuel, Series Editor, Hirche, Sandra, Series Editor, Jabbari, Faryar, Series Editor, Jia, Limin, Series Editor, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Khamis, Alaa, Series Editor, Kroeger, Torsten, Series Editor, Liang, Qilian, Series Editor, Ming, Tan Cher, Series Editor, Minker, Wolfgang, Series Editor, Misra, Pradeep, Series Editor, Möller, Sebastian, Series Editor, Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Series Editor, Ning, Cun-Zheng, Series Editor, Nishida, Toyoaki, Series Editor, Pascucci, Federica, Series Editor, Qin, Yong, Series Editor, Seng, Gan Woon, Series Editor, Veiga, Germano, Series Editor, Wu, Haitao, Series Editor, Zhang, Junjie James, Series Editor, Andò, Bruno, editor, Baldini, Francesco, editor, Di Natale, Corrado, editor, Ferrari, Vittorio, editor, Marletta, Vincenzo, editor, Marrazza, Giovanna, editor, Militello, Valeria, editor, Miolo, Giorgia, editor, Rossi, Marco, editor, Scalise, Lorenzo, editor, and Siciliano, Pietro, editor

Published
2019
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6. Estimating the Outdoor PM10 Concentration Through Wireless Sensor Network for Smart Metering

Author

Capriglione, D., Carratù, M., Ferro, M., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., Angrisani, Leopoldo, Series Editor, Arteaga, Marco, Series Editor, Panigrahi, Bijaya Ketan, Series Editor, Chakraborty, Samarjit, Series Editor, Chen, Jiming, Series Editor, Chen, Shanben, Series Editor, Chen, Tan Kay, Series Editor, Dillmann, Ruediger, Series Editor, Duan, Haibin, Series Editor, Ferrari, Gianluigi, Series Editor, Ferre, Manuel, Series Editor, Hirche, Sandra, Series Editor, Jabbari, Faryar, Series Editor, Jia, Limin, Series Editor, Kacprzyk, Janusz, Series Editor, Khamis, Alaa, Series Editor, Kroeger, Torsten, Series Editor, Liang, Qilian, Series Editor, Ming, Tan Cher, Series Editor, Minker, Wolfgang, Series Editor, Misra, Pradeep, Series Editor, Möller, Sebastian, Series Editor, Mukhopadhyay, Subhas, Series Editor, Ning, Cun-Zheng, Series Editor, Nishida, Toyoaki, Series Editor, Pascucci, Federica, Series Editor, Qin, Yong, Series Editor, Seng, Gan Woon, Series Editor, Veiga, Germano, Series Editor, Wu, Haitao, Series Editor, Zhang, Junjie James, Series Editor, Andò, Bruno, editor, Baldini, Francesco, editor, Di Natale, Corrado, editor, Ferrari, Vittorio, editor, Marletta, Vincenzo, editor, Marrazza, Giovanna, editor, Militello, Valeria, editor, Miolo, Giorgia, editor, Rossi, Marco, editor, Scalise, Lorenzo, editor, and Siciliano, Pietro, editor

Published
2019
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8. Remote laboratories for measurement courses during the Covid-19 era.

Author

Liguori, C., Pietrosanto, A., Carratù, M., Paciello, V., De Santos, M., Di Leo, G., and Ferro, M.

Abstract

The role of experiments in the laboratory for the bachelor's and the master's Science degree in Electronic Engineering is fundamental for full training. In Italy, from the first days of March 2020, all education activities were changed to distance learning due to the severe lockdown caused by the COVID-19 sanitary emergency. At the beginning of the second-semester sanitary emergency pushed the authors to find new strategies to keep high-level learning even in remote modalities as soon as possible. Preparing students for the use of measuring instruments soon appeared to be the most challenging test for professors accustomed to having students in their laboratories every day. Therefore, the University of Salerno (UniSA) professors rapidly converted all their laboratory didactic activities to this aim. After a brief description of the UniSA measurement courses, the paper describes some distance learning solutions adopted in both bachelor and master science courses. Particular details will be given to the efforts made to manage 24h availability of the laboratory instrumentation and circuits for student experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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10. Vision-Based System for Measuring the Diameter of Wood Logs

Author

Carratù, M., Gallo, V., Liguori, C., Lundgren, Jan, O'Nils, Mattias, Pietrosanto, A., Carratù, M., Gallo, V., Liguori, C., Lundgren, Jan, O'Nils, Mattias, and Pietrosanto, A.

Abstract

Detecting and measuring objects with vision-based systems in uncontrolled environments is a difficult task that today, thanks to the development of increasingly advanced artificial intelligence-based techniques, can be solved with greater ease. In this context, this article proposes a novel approach for the vision-based measurement of objects in uncontrolled environments using a specific type of convolutional neural network (CNN) named you only look once (YOLO) and a direct linear transformation (DLT) process. The case study concerned designing a novel vision-based system for measuring the diameter of wood logs cut and loaded onto trucks. This problem has been occurring in the Swedish forestry industry. In fact, this operation is not carried out with computer vision algorithms because of the high variability of environmental conditions caused by the changing position of the sun, weather conditions, and the variability of truck positioning. To solve this problem, the YOLO network is proposed to locate logs while attempting to maintain a high Intersection over Union (IoU) value for the correct estimation of log size. Furthermore, in order to obtain accurate measurements, the DLT is used to convert into world coordinates the dimensions of the logs themselves. The proposed CNN-based solution is described after briefly introducing today’s methodologies adopted for wood bundle analysis. Particular attention is paid to both the training and the calibration steps. Results report that for 80% of cases, the error reported has been smaller than 4 cm, representing only 8% of the measurement, considering a mean log diameter for the application of 50 cm.

Published
2023
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14. A Sound Level Meter featured with automatic estimation of the measurement uncertainty

Author

Carratù, M., Liguori, C., Paciello, V., Pietrosanto, A., Russo, D., Sommella, P., Lundgren, Jan, Carratù, M., Liguori, C., Paciello, V., Pietrosanto, A., Russo, D., Sommella, P., and Lundgren, Jan

Abstract

In the area of measuring the environmental noise the equivalent sound pressure level LA,eq is adopted and compared with legal thresholds in order to characterize the site of interest. The paper describes an innovative Sound Level Meter (SLM) able to provide information about the measurand contribution to the measurement uncertainty estimation. This measurement technology is made possible thanks to an approach based on bootstrap method for selecting the suitable measurement episode for an estimation of LAeq. The firmware implementation of the developed SLM is disclosed with reference to a low-cost platform for real-time execution of the proposed methodology. Finally, a metrological characterization of the prototype performed in laboratory is reported as well as the performance comparison with a class 1 SLM in a real scenario. As a result, the smart features of the new SLM may be easily implemented by including commercial devices into the instrument schematics.

Published
2022
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18. CHANNELOPATHIES AND RELATED DISORDERS

Author

Altamura, C., primary, Farinato, A., additional, Cavalluzzi, M., additional, Tarantino, N., additional, Carratù, M., additional, Pierno, S., additional, Lentini, G., additional, and Desaphy, J., additional

Published
2021
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21. A Novel Technique for Earthquakes Magnitude Estimation

Author

Carratù, M., Paciello, V., Espirito-Santo, A., Monte, G., Carratù, M., Paciello, V., Espirito-Santo, A., and Monte, G.

Abstract

Earthquakes are natural phenomena whose consequences can be catastrophic. The introduction of new technologies such as intelligent transducers, which, being equipped with a communication interface, allow the exchange of information with other devices connected to the network, prompted researchers to study systems able to exploit data related to the first moments of the seismic event in an attempt to predict its characteristics. This idea is the base of Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems that aim to estimate the upcoming event's fundamental parameters to issue an alarm signal in case of danger, allowing the necessary precautions to be taken. There are many problems concerning parameters' estimation representing an indication of the phenomenon's danger in this context. In particular, the magnitude estimation and the compromise between the processing of reliable results and the time window's brevity in which the system algorithm must acquire and process the data to produce such results represent challenging aspects. This paper present new results of an approach, proposed by the authors that use a quotient of iterative filters. By choosing the right filter parameters, this quotient correlates with the earthquake magnitude by processing the incoming wave's first three seconds. © 2021 IEEE., Export Date: 20 September 2021; Conference Paper; CODEN: CRIIE

Published
2021
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22. Sensitivity of water meters to small leakage

Author

Pietrosanto, A., Carratù, M., Liguori, C., Pietrosanto, A., Carratù, M., and Liguori, C.

Abstract

Water leakage beyond the meter at the household level is becoming an emerging problem in a world where water must be respected and saved. More than public awareness campaigns for citizens, automatic leakage detection could give in the future the best results. Domestic water consumption will be continuously monitored by smart meters able to distinguish between normal absorption and leakage. Nowadays, some research prototypes of smart water meters were designed for continuous monitoring aimed to collect measurements and send them to a central unit for developing statistics on consumptions and alarms. In this paper, the authors propose a battery-powered visual smart device that could be a good starting point to generate leakage alarms at the household level. After a brief description of state of the art, the paper at first faces the problem of the leakage detection dependence on meter sensitivity. Then, an image-based technique for automatic “null consumption detection” to be applied both to the register last digit and to a needle of water meters is tested on three different water meters. Finally, experimental results confirm that this image-based technique, allowing the automatic detection of Periods With Null Consumption, can be very useful for water leakage detection algorithms. © 2020 The Author(s), Export Date: 20 September 2021; Article; CODEN: MSRMD; Correspondence Address: Carratù, M.; Department of Industrial Engineering (DIIn), Italy; email: mcarratu@unisa.it

Published
2021
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23. Body temperature—indoor condition monitor and activity recognition by mems accelerometer based on IoT-alert system for people in quarantine due to COVID-19

Author

Hoang, M. L., Carratù, M., Paciello, V., Pietrosanto, A., Hoang, M. L., Carratù, M., Paciello, V., and Pietrosanto, A.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a virus that spreads through contact with the respiratory droplets of infected persons, so quarantine is mandatory to break the infection chain. This paper proposes a wearable device with the Internet of Things (IoT) integration for real-time monitoring of body temperature the indoor condition via an alert system to the person in quarantine. The alert is transferred when the body thermal exceeds the allowed threshold temperature. Moreover, an algorithm Repetition Spikes Counter (RSC) based on an accelerometer is employed in the role of human activity recognition to realize whether the quarantined person is doing physical exercise or not, for auto-adjustment of threshold temperature. The real-time warning and stored data analysis support the family members/doctors in following and updating the quarantined people’s body temperature behavior in the tele-distance. The experiment includes an M5stickC wearable device, a Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer, an infrared thermometer, and a digital temperature sensor equipped with the user’s wrist. The indoor temperature and humidity are measured to restrict the virus spread and supervise the room condition of the person in quarantine. The information is transferred to the cloud via Wi-Fi with Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) broker. The Bluetooth is integrated as an option for the data transfer from the self-isolated person to the electronic device of a family member in the case of Wi-Fi failed connection. The tested result was obtained from a student in quarantine for 14 days. The designed system successfully monitored the body temperature, exercise activity, and indoor condition of the quarantined person that handy during the Covid-19 pandemic. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland., Cited By :2; Export Date: 20 September 2021; Article; Correspondence Address: Hoang, M.L.; Department of Industrial Engineering, Italy; email: mhoang@unisa.it

Published
2021
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29. Smart wearable devices for human exposure vibration measurements on two-wheel vehicles

Author

Carratù, M., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., Paciello, V., Carratù, M., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., and Paciello, V.

Abstract

The comfort experienced while driving a motorcycle is becoming a subject of great importance; indeed, the driver is exposed to vibrations that are typically caused by irregular profiles or wear of the road surface as well as by the aerodynamic influence and high-frequency rotation of the motorcycle engine. This paper discloses an original solution that allows the driver to monitor their exposure to vibration during a ride using a low-cost wearable device (smartwatch). A suitable measurement system has been designed and tested using a real motorcycle. The system captures acceleration signals in real time through Bluetooth communication and interfaces with a wearable device with a microcontroller unit that calculates vibrations transmitted through the driver's hands. Different indexes proposed in the literature are adopted for the comfort analysis in both time and frequency domains. The hand transmitted vibrations are also experimentally compared with those measured through a fixed accelerometer according to the prescription included in the standard ISO 5349 to show the feasibility of the proposed approach in typical application conditions. © 2020 International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO). All rights reserved.

Published
2020
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30. Vibration step test for performance analysis of inertial measurement unit

Author

Capriglione, D., Carratù, M., Catelani, M., Ciani, L., Patrizi, G., Pietrosanto, A., Sommella, P., Capriglione, D., Carratù, M., Catelani, M., Ciani, L., Patrizi, G., Pietrosanto, A., and Sommella, P.

Abstract

Nowadays Inertial Measurement Units are largely implemented in several applications, such as automotive and self-driving vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, cellular phones, robotics, artificial intelligence and many others. Despite this, recent literature doesn't cover properly both the characterization of the dynamical metrological performances and the reliability analysis when microelectronic devices operate under real environmental conditions. Trying to fill this gap, the characterization of an Inertial Measurement Unit under vibration condition is proposed in this work by means of a step-test vibration profile to test the behavior of an inertial platform subjected to a sinusoidal vibration at different frequencies. Starting from the widely known sine sweep vibration profile, a customized test plan has been developed basing on a frequency step up of a sinusoidal stimulus over time to investigate the frequency response of the inertial platforms. The application to a set of real devices has confirmed that the proposed test allows identifying the effects of mechanical stress on the metrological performances of microelectromechanical sensors over a frequency domain. The developed test plan could also be used to investigate whether or not sinusoidal vibrations at certain frequencies trigger some failure mechanisms that are normally quiescent. © Global Trends in Testing, Diagnostics and Inspection for 2030.All rights reserved., Export Date: 10 March 2021; Conference Paper

Published
2020

38. Mapping ligand binding pockets in chloride ClC-1 channels through an integrated in silico and experimental approach using anthracene-9-carboxylic acid and niflumic acid.

Author

Altamura, C., Mangiatordi, G. F., Nicolotti, O., Sahbani, D., Farinato, A., Leonetti, F., Carratù, M. R., Conte, D., Desaphy, J‐F, Imbrici, P., and Desaphy, J-F

Subjects
CHLORIDE channels, PROTEINS, MYOTONIA congenita, MYOTONIA atrophica, ION channels, ALGORITHMS, BINDING sites, COMPARATIVE studies, COMPUTER simulation, EPITHELIAL cells, HYDROCARBONS, LIGANDS (Biochemistry), RESEARCH methodology, MEDICAL cooperation, MEMBRANE proteins, GENETIC mutation, PYRIDINE, RESEARCH, EVALUATION research, CHEMICAL inhibitors
Abstract

Background and Purpose: Although chloride channels are involved in several physiological processes and acquired diseases, the availability of compounds selectively targeting CLC proteins is limited. ClC-1 channels are responsible for sarcolemma repolarization after an action potential in skeletal muscle and have been associated with myotonia congenita and myotonic dystrophy as well as with other muscular physiopathological conditions. To date only a few ClC-1 blockers have been discovered, such as anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) and niflumic acid (NFA), whereas no activator exists. The absence of a ClC-1 structure and the limited information regarding the binding pockets in CLC channels hamper the identification of improved modulators.Experimental Approach: Here we provide an in-depth characterization of drug binding pockets in ClC-1 through an integrated in silico and experimental approach. We first searched putative cavities in a homology model of ClC-1 built upon an eukaryotic CLC crystal structure, and then validated in silico data by measuring the blocking ability of 9-AC and NFA on mutant ClC-1 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells.Key Results: We identified four putative binding cavities in ClC-1. 9-AC appears to interact with residues K231, R421 and F484 within the channel pore. We also identified one preferential binding cavity for NFA and propose R421 and F484 as critical residues.Conclusions and Implications: This study represents the first effort to delineate the binding sites of ClC-1. This information is fundamental to discover compounds useful in the treatment of ClC-1-associated dysfunctions and might represent a starting point for specifically targeting other CLC proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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40. How could retinoids fit into Alzheimer's therapy?

Author

Steardo, L., Signorile, A., Scuderi, Caterina, and Carratù, M. R.

Subjects
Alzheimer's disease, amyloid cascade, cerebral microvessels, cognitive decline, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, retinoids, therapeutic strategy, pharmacology, pharmacology (medical), Pharmacology, Pharmacology (medical)
Published
2016
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41. Potassium channel modulation by the pseudopeptide ochratoxin A in rat nerve fibers

Author

Carratù, M. R., Belmadani, A, Cuomo, Vincenzo, and Creppy, E. E.

Subjects
Patch-Clamp Techniques, Potassium Channels, Sodium, Calcium Channel Blockers, Ochratoxins, Sciatic Nerve, ochratoxin A, K+ channel, demyelinated axon, Cell Line, Rats, Nerve Fibers, Pronase, Animals, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Myelin Sheath, Demyelinating Diseases
Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, blocks anion conductance in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and reduces the potassium concentration gradient in the same cells. So far, a direct effect of OTA on cation channels has not been reported. Experiments were then designed to explore the OTA action on ion channels of rat nerve fibres. Voltage clamp technique has shown that OTA (0.1-1 microM) does not significantly affect sodium current in the intact myelinated axon. After paranodal demyelination (using 0.2% pronase) large K+ outward and K+ tail currents are elicited upon depolarization and repolarization. OTA application on pronase treated fibres produces the following effects: 1) reduction in the amplitude of the tail current with a negligible effect on the time constant of its fast decaying component (modified by pronase application); 2) reduction in potassium conductance to 30% of the control value (i.e., the value in pronase-treated fibres); and 3) reduction in the leakage conductance. Our findings point at the paranodal region of myelinated nerve fibres as a target for the neurotoxic pseudopeptide OTA found as contaminant in food. The uncleaved OTA is effectively acting since pronase fails to cleave it into phenylalanine and OT alpha.

Published
1998

45. Rat embryo exposure to all-trans retinoic acid results in long-term cognitive deficits.

Author

BORRACCI, P. and CARRATÙ, M. R.

Abstract

AIM: The present study examines in particular associative learning and aversive memory abilities in adult Sprague Dawley rats exposed to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in the period spanning gestational days (GD) 11-13. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ATRA dosage of 2.5 mg/kg compatible with high neonatal survival, sufficient to supply offspring for later behavioral testing, was used. RESULTS: The results show that the GD 11-13 ATRA exposure compromises the ability of rats to learn an active avoidance task. Indeed, unlike control rats, the ATRA-treated rats did not improve in performance over blocks of training, the number of attempts they made to avoid foot shock being significantly affected. The memory ability, assessed with the passive avoidance paradigm, was not affected by ATRA exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide further evidence that, beyond gross CNS malformations, gestational ATRA exposure induces long-term cognitive deficits in the offspring, thus raising further warning for better control of retinoid safety during pregnancy, an aspect relevant to human health protection within the regulatory environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014

48. Irreversible impairment of active avoidance behavior in rats prenatally exposed to mild concentrations of carbon monoxide.

Author

Salvia, M., Cagiano, R., Carratù, M., Giovanni, V., Trabace, L., and Cuomo, V.

Abstract

Wistar female rats were exposed to relatively mild concentrations of carbon monoxide (75 and 150 ppm) from day 0 to day 20 of pregnancy. The results show that prenatal exposure to CO (150 ppm) significantly impairs the acquisition of a two-way active avoidance task in 3-month-old male rats as well as the acquisition and reacquisition of this schedule in 18-month-old animals subjected to six daily 20-trial sessions. These deficits do not seem to be attributable to alterations of a non-associative nature, as the intertrial activity and the escape response latencies in CO exposed animals were not significantly affected with respect to controls. These findings, showing that gestational exposure to CO induces in rat offspring permanent learning and memory impairment, confirm that the offspring of smoking mothers may be at considerably greater risk than current epidemiological studies on birthweight and neonatal mortality suggest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
1995
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