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Maule L, Zanetti M, Luchetti A, Tomasin P, Dallapiccoa M, Covre N, Guandalini G, De Cecco M. Wheelchair Driving Strategies: a comparison between standard joystick and gaze-based control. Assist Technol 2021; 35:180-192. [PMID: 34871532 DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2021.2009593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aims to evaluate and compare the driving performances achieved with a power wheelchair using a standard joystick versus a novel gaze-based technology. The gaze-based interface, called RoboEYE, involves a novel paradigm of computer interaction that handles the receipt of information from an eye tracker, using it as a continuous input for wheelchair navigation. A pool of 36 subjects has tested both technologies in a circuit designed considering the Wheelchair Skill Test. The experimental analysis involved evaluations of specific metrics of motion and the submission of questionnaires to collect required information about perceived feelings and mental workload. The joystick proved to be the best driving interface. It turned out to be more accurate and efficient than the gaze-based solution. However, the latter achieved only small differences in driving kinematics. These differences can be considered negligible from an operational point of view, offering a driving experience similar to that achievable with the joystick. Testers reported no particular stress, fatigue, or frustration when switching from one interface to another. These elements suggest that the proposed gaze-based solution is an appropriate alternative for a technology transition driven by a pathological change in the user's condition.
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Luchetti A, Di Segni M, Andolina D, Ventura R, Battaglia M, D'Amato FR. Mouse model of panic disorder: Vulnerability to early environmental instability is strain-dependent. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22135. [PMID: 34196403 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Early life experiences and genetic background shape phenotypic variation. Several mouse models based on early treatments have evaluated short- and long-term phenotypic alterations and explored their molecular mechanisms. The instability of maternal cues was used to model human separation anxiety in outbred mice, one of the etiopathogenetic factors that predict panic disorder (PD). Application of the repeated cross-fostering (RCF) protocol to inbred strains (C57 and DBA) allowed us to measure differential responses to the same experimental manipulation. Ultrasounds emitted during isolation indicated that after RCF, pups from both strains lose their ability to be comforted by nest cues, but the frequency modulation of separation calls increased in RCF-C57 and decreased in RCF-DBA mice. No strain-specific difference in olfactory ability explained these responses in RCF-exposed mice. Rather, disruption of the infant-mother bond may differentially affect separation calls in the two strains. Moreover, the RCF-associated increased respiratory response to hypercapnia-an endophenotype of human PD documented among mice outbred strains-was replicated in the C57 strain only. We suggest that RCF-induced instability of the early environment affects emotionality and respiratory physiology differentially, depending on pups' genetic background. These strain-specific responses provide a lead to understand differential vulnerability to emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Luchetti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Segni
- Department of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet,", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Department of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet,", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Ventura
- Department of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet,", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Department of Psychiatry, the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Child, Youth and Emerging Adults Programme, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Francesca Romana D'Amato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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Di Segni M, Andolina D, D'Addario SL, Babicola L, Ielpo D, Luchetti A, Pascucci T, Lo Iacono L, D'Amato FR, Ventura R. Sex-dependent effects of early unstable post-natal environment on response to positive and negative stimuli in adult mice. Neuroscience 2019; 413:1-10. [PMID: 31228589 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in early environmental conditions that interfere with the creation of a stable mother-pup bond have been suggested to be a risk factor for the development of stress-related psychopathologies later in life. The long-lasting effects of early experiences are mediated by changes in various cerebral circuits, such as the corticolimbic system, which processes aversive and rewarding stimuli. However, it is evident that the early environment is not sufficient per se to induce psychiatric disorders; interindividual (eg, sex-based) differences in the response to environmental challenges exist. To examine the sex-related effects that are induced by an early experience on later events in adulthood, we determine the enduring effects of repeated cross-fostering (RCF) in female and male C57BL/6J mice. To this end, we assessed the behavioral phenotype of RCF and control (male and female) mice in the saccharine preference test and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference to evaluate the response to natural and pharmacological stimuli and in the elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test to measure their anxiety- and depression-like behavior. We also evaluated FST-induced c-Fos immunoreactivity in various brain regions that are engaged in the response to acute stress exposure (FST). Notably, RCF has opposing effects on the adult response to these tests between sexes, directing male mice toward an "anhedonia-like" phenotype and increasing the sensitivity for rewarding stimuli in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Di Segni
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastian Luca D'Addario
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Programme, Sapienza University, 00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy Babicola
- Dept. of Applied and Biotechnological Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Donald Ielpo
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Programme, Sapienza University, 00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pascucci
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Lo Iacono
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca R D'Amato
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy; Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rossella Ventura
- Dept. of Psychology and Center "Daniel Bovet", Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy; IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00142 Rome, Italy.
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Scicchitano V, Dedeine F, Mantovani B, Luchetti A. Molecular systematics, biogeography, and colony fusion in the European dry-wood termites Kalotermes spp. (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Kalotermitidae). Bull Entomol Res 2018; 108:523-531. [PMID: 29070094 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485317001080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
European dry-wood termites belong to the genus Kalotermes (Kalotermitidae), one of the two termite genera in Europe. Until the recent description of two new species, Kalotermes italicus in Italy and Kalotermes phoenicae in the eastern Mediterranean area, Kalotermes flavicollis was the only taxon known in this region. The presence of additional entities, suggested by morphological and physiological variation observed in K. flavicollis, was supported by molecular studies revealing four distinct genetic lineages: lineage A, K. flavicollis sensu strictu, from the Aegean area to Italy; lineage B, in Tuscany; lineage SC, in Sardinia and Corsica; lineage SF, in southern France. Lineages A and B may form mixed colonies, suggesting hybridization. To draw a more detailed picture of Kalotermes evolution and biogeography in Europe, we analyzed samples from previously unsampled areas, such as Spain and southern Italy, by means of the highly informative cox1/trnL/cox2 mitochondrial DNA marker. Overall, phylogenetic analyses confirmed previously identified lineages and taxa, but widened the distribution of the lineage SC to the mainland and of the lineage SF to Spain and Portugal. Results further provided evidence for the synonymy between lineage B and K. italicus. Species delimitation analysis suggested that the three K. flavicollis lineages, as well as K. italicus, can be separate taxa. Data also suggest a possible interspecific hybridization between K. italicus and both K. flavicollis lineages A and SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Scicchitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche,Geologiche e Ambientali - Università di Bologna,via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna,Italy
| | - F Dedeine
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS - Université François-Rabelais de Tours,Parc Grandmont, 37200 Tours,France
| | - B Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche,Geologiche e Ambientali - Università di Bologna,via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna,Italy
| | - A Luchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche,Geologiche e Ambientali - Università di Bologna,via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna,Italy
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Giannese F, Luchetti A, Barbiera G, Lampis V, Zanettini C, Knudsen GP, Scaini S, Lazarevic D, Cittaro D, D'Amato FR, Battaglia M. Conserved DNA Methylation Signatures in Early Maternal Separation and in Twins Discordant for CO 2 Sensitivity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2258. [PMID: 29396481 PMCID: PMC5797081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20457-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory and emotional responses to blood-acidifying inhalation of CO2 are markers of some human anxiety disorders, and can be enhanced by repeatedly cross-fostering (RCF) mouse pups from their biological mother to unrelated lactating females. Yet, these dynamics remain poorly understood. We show RCF-associated intergenerational transmission of CO2 sensitivity in normally-reared mice descending from RCF-exposed females, and describe the accompanying alterations in brain DNA methylation patterns. These epigenetic signatures were compared to DNA methylation profiles of monozygotic twins discordant for emotional reactivity to a CO2 challenge. Altered methylation was consistently associated with repeated elements and transcriptional regulatory regions among RCF-exposed animals, their normally-reared offspring, and humans with CO2 hypersensitivity. In both species, regions bearing differential methylation were associated with neurodevelopment, circulation, and response to pH acidification processes, and notably included the ASIC2 gene. Our data show that CO2 hypersensitivity is associated with specific methylation clusters and genes that subserve chemoreception and anxiety. The methylation status of genes implicated in acid-sensing functions can inform etiological and therapeutic research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Giannese
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbiera
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Zanettini
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.,National Institute on Drug Abuse, Medication Development Program Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, USA
| | - Gun Peggy Knudsen
- The Norwegian Institute of Public Health Department of Genetics, Environment and Mental Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Simona Scaini
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Dejan Lazarevic
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Cittaro
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca R D'Amato
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Department of Psychiatry, the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Division of Child, Youth and Emerging Adulthood, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
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Di Segni M, Andolina D, Luchetti A, Babicola L, D'Apolito LI, Pascucci T, Conversi D, Accoto A, D'Amato FR, Ventura R. Unstable Maternal Environment Affects Stress Response in Adult Mice in a Genotype-Dependent Manner. Cereb Cortex 2018; 26:4370-4380. [PMID: 26400917 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early postnatal events exert powerful effects on development, inducing persistent functional alterations in different brain network, such as the catecholamine prefrontal-accumbal system, and increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life. However, a vast body of literature shows that the interaction between genetic factors and early environmental conditions is crucial for expression of psychopathologies in adulthood. We evaluated the long-lasting effects of a repeated cross-fostering (RCF) procedure in 2 inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6J, DBA/2), known to show a different susceptibility to the development and expression of stress-induced psychopathologies. Coping behavior (forced swimming test) and preference for a natural reinforcing stimulus (saccharine preference test) were assessed in adult female mice of both genotypes. Moreover, c-Fos stress-induced activity was assessed in different brain regions involved in stress response. In addition, we evaluated the enduring effects of RCF on catecholamine prefrontal-accumbal response to acute stress (restraint) using, for the first time, a new "dual probes" in vivo microdialysis procedure in mouse. RCF experience affects behavioral and neurochemical responses to acute stress in adulthood in opposite direction in the 2 genotypes, leading DBA mice toward an "anhedonic-like" phenotype and C57 mice toward an increased sensitivity for a natural reinforcing stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Di Segni
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - Diego Andolina
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Science and Biomedical Technologies, University of L'Aquila, 67010 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy Babicola
- Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - Lina Ilaras D'Apolito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin,""La Sapienza" University, 00181 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pascucci
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - David Conversi
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | | | - Francesca R D'Amato
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rossella Ventura
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
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De Liso P, Vigevano F, Specchio N, De Palma L, Bonanni P, Osanni E, Coppola G, Parisi P, Grosso S, Verrotti A, Spalice A, Nicita F, Zamponi N, Siliquini S, Giordano L, Martelli P, Guerrini R, Rosati A, Ilvento L, Belcastro V, Striano P, Vari M, Capovilla G, Beccaria F, Bruni O, Luchetti A, Gobbi G, Russo A, Pruna D, Tozzi A, Cusmai R. Effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies-An Italian observational multicenter study. Epilepsy Res 2016; 127:93-100. [PMID: 27568598 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Perampanel (PER) in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies in daily clinical practice conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS This Italian multicenter retrospective observational study was performed in 16 paediatric epilepsy centres. Inclusion criteria were: (i) ≤18 years of age, (ii) history of refractory epilepsy, (iii) a follow-up ≥5 months of PER add-on therapy. Exclusion criteria were: (i) a diagnosis of primary idiopathic generalized epilepsy, (ii) variation of concomitant AEDs during the previous 4 weeks. Response was defined as a ≥50% reduction in monthly seizure frequency compared with the baseline. RESULTS 62 patients suffering from various refractory epilepsies were included in this study: 53% were males, the mean age was 14.2 years (range 6-18 years), 8 patients aged <12 years. Mean age at epilepsy onset was 3.4 years and the mean duration of epilepsy was 10.8 years (range 1-16), which ranged from 2 seizures per-month up to several seizures per-day (mean number=96.5). Symptomatic focal epilepsy was reported in 62.9% of cases. Mean number of AEDs used in the past was 7.1; mean number of concomitant AEDs was 2.48, with carbamazepine used in 43.5% of patients. Mean PER daily dose was 7.1mg (2-12mg). After an average of 6.6 months of follow-up (5-13 months), the retention rate was 77.4% (48/62). The response rate was 50%; 16% of patients achieved ≥75% seizure frequency reduction and 5% became completely seizure free. Seizure aggravation was observed in 9.7% of patients. Adverse events were reported in 19 patients (30.6%) and led to PER discontinuation in 4 patients (6.5%). The most common adverse events were behaviour disturbance (irritability and aggressiveness), dizziness, sedation and fatigue. CONCLUSION PER was found to be a safe and effective treatment when used as adjunctive therapy in paediatric patients with uncontrolled epilepsy.
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Qi R, Parikh C, Luchetti A, Mandelman D, Latif H, Harris A, Ghosh S. Speeding up the S5 XL sequencing system: Sequencing in an hour enables sample to answer in a 8 hr workday. Eur J Cancer 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(16)61504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Cittaro D, Lampis V, Luchetti A, Coccurello R, Guffanti A, Felsani A, Moles A, Stupka E, D' Amato FR, Battaglia M. Histone Modifications in a Mouse Model of Early Adversities and Panic Disorder: Role for Asic1 and Neurodevelopmental Genes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25131. [PMID: 27121911 PMCID: PMC4848503 DOI: 10.1038/srep25131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperventilation following transient, CO2-induced acidosis is ubiquitous in mammals and heritable. In humans, respiratory and emotional hypersensitivity to CO2 marks separation anxiety and panic disorders, and is enhanced by early-life adversities. Mice exposed to the repeated cross-fostering paradigm (RCF) of interference with maternal environment show heightened separation anxiety and hyperventilation to 6% CO2-enriched air. Gene-environment interactions affect CO2 hypersensitivity in both humans and mice. We therefore hypothesised that epigenetic modifications and increased expression of genes involved in pH-detection could explain these relationships. Medullae oblongata of RCF- and normally-reared female outbred mice were assessed by ChIP-seq for H3Ac, H3K4me3, H3K27me3 histone modifications, and by SAGE for differential gene expression. Integration of multiple experiments by network analysis revealed an active component of 148 genes pointing to the mTOR signalling pathway and nociception. Among these genes, Asic1 showed heightened mRNA expression, coherent with RCF-mice’s respiratory hypersensitivity to CO2 and altered nociception. Functional enrichment and mRNA transcript analyses yielded a consistent picture of enhancement for several genes affecting chemoception, neurodevelopment, and emotionality. Particularly, results with Asic1 support recent human findings with panic and CO2 responses, and provide new perspectives on how early adversities and genes interplay to affect key components of panic and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cittaro
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Lampis
- Developmental Psychopathology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Guffanti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Biological Chemistry, The Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Genomnia srl, Lainate, Italy
| | - Armando Felsani
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Genomnia srl, Lainate, Italy
| | - Anna Moles
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Genomnia srl, Lainate, Italy
| | - Elia Stupka
- Centre for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca R D' Amato
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Department of Psychiatry, University Of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Child and Youth Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
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Luchetti A, Oddi D, Lampis V, Centofante E, Felsani A, Battaglia M, D'Amato FR. Early handling and repeated cross-fostering have opposite effect on mouse emotionality. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:93. [PMID: 25954170 PMCID: PMC4404916 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life events have a crucial role in programming the individual phenotype and exposure to traumatic experiences during infancy can increase later risk for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders. Animal models of postnatal stress have been developed in rodents to explore molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed short and long lasting neurobiological effects of such manipulations. The main aim of this study was to compare the behavioral and hormonal phenotype of young and adult animals exposed to different postnatal treatments. Outbred mice were exposed to (i) the classical Handling protocol (H: 15 min-day of separation from the mother from day 1 to 14 of life) or to (ii) a Repeated Cross-Fostering protocol (RCF: adoption of litters from day 1 to 4 of life by different dams). Handled mice received more maternal care in infancy and showed the already described reduced emotionality at adulthood. Repeated cross fostered animals did not differ for maternal care received, but showed enhanced sensitivity to separation from the mother in infancy and altered respiratory response to 6% CO2 in breathing air in comparison with controls. Abnormal respiratory responses to hypercapnia are commonly found among humans with panic disorders (PD), and point to RCF-induced instability of the early environment as a valid developmental model for PD. The comparisons between short- and long-term effects of postnatal handling vs. RCF indicate that different types of early adversities are associated with different behavioral profiles, and evoke psychopathologies that can be distinguished according to the neurobiological systems disrupted by early-life manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Luchetti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Oddi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Lampis
- Academic Centre for the Study of Behavioral Plasticity, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Centofante
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Felsani
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome, Italy ; Genomnia Lainate, Italy
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Academic Centre for the Study of Behavioral Plasticity, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy ; Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Laval University Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca R D'Amato
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council/Fondazione Santa Lucia Rome, Italy ; Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Laval University Quebec, QC, Canada
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Bonandin L, Scavariello C, Luchetti A, Mantovani B. Evolutionary dynamics of R2 retroelement and insertion inheritance in the genome of bisexual and parthenogenetic Bacillus rossius populations (Insecta Phasmida). Insect Mol Biol 2014; 23:808-820. [PMID: 25134735 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Theoretical and empirical studies have shown differential management of transposable elements in organisms with different reproductive strategies. To investigate this issue, we analysed the R2 retroelement structure and variability in parthenogenetic and bisexual populations of Bacillus rossius stick insects, as well as insertions inheritance in the offspring of parthenogenetic isolates and of crosses. The B. rossius genome hosts a functional (R2Br(fun) ) and a degenerate (R2Br(deg) ) element, their presence correlating with neither reproductive strategies nor population distribution. The median-joining network method indicated that R2Br(fun) duplicates through a multiple source model, while R2Br(deg) is apparently still duplicating via a master gene model. Offspring analyses showed that unisexual and bisexual offspring have a similar number of R2Br-occupied sites. Multiple or recent shifts from gonochoric to parthenogenetic reproduction may explain the observed data. Moreover, insertion frequency spectra show that higher-frequency insertions in unisexual offspring significantly outnumber those in bisexual offspring. This suggests that unisexual offspring eliminate insertions with lower efficiency. A comparison with simulated insertion frequencies shows that inherited insertions in unisexual and bisexual offspring are significantly different from the expectation. On the whole, different mechanisms of R2 elimination in unisexual vs bisexual offspring and a complex interplay between recombination effectiveness, natural selection and time can explain the observed data.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bonandin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Gigliucci V, Leonzino M, Busnelli M, Luchetti A, Palladino VS, D’Amato FR, Chini B. Region specific up-regulation of oxytocin receptors in the opioid oprm1 (-/-) mouse model of autism. Front Pediatr 2014; 2:91. [PMID: 25225634 PMCID: PMC4150055 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2014.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impaired communication, social impairments, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Recently, altered motivation and reward processes have been suggested to participate in the physiopathology of ASDs, and μ-opioid receptors (MORs) have been investigated in relation to social reward due to their involvement in the neural circuitry of reward. Mice lacking a functional MOR gene (Oprm1 (-/-) mice) display abnormal social behavior and major autistic-like core symptoms, making them an animal model of autism. The oxytocin (OXT) system is a key regulator of social behavior and co-operates with the opioidergic system in the modulation of social behavior. To better understand the opioid-OXT interplay in the central nervous system, we first determined the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the brain of WT C57BL6/J mice by quantitative autoradiography; we then evaluated OXTR regional alterations in Oprm1 (-/-) mice. Moreover, we tested these mice in a paradigm of social behavior, the male-female social interaction test, and analyzed the effects of acute intranasal OXT treatment on their performance. In autoradiography, Oprm1 (-/-) mice selectively displayed increased OXTR expression in the Medial Anterior Olfactory Nucleus, the Central and Medial Amygdaloid nuclei, and the Nucleus Accumbens. Our behavioral results confirmed that Oprm1 (-/-) male mice displayed social impairments, as indicated by reduced ultrasonic calls, and that these were rescued by a single intranasal administration of OXT. Taken together, our results provide evidence of an interaction between OXT and opioids in socially relevant brain areas and in the modulation of social behavior. Moreover, they suggest that the oxytocinergic system may act as a compensative mechanism to bypass and/or restore alterations in circuits linked to impaired social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Leonzino
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Busnelli
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca R. D’Amato
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Spitalieri P, Talarico V, Luchetti A, Brancati F, Botta A, Novelli G, Sangiuolo F. Generation of disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells from human fetal extra-embryonic tissues. Cytotherapy 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2014.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Luchetti A, Scicchitano V, Mantovani B. Origin and evolution of the Italian subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Rhinotermitidae). Bull Entomol Res 2013; 103:734-741. [PMID: 23883615 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485313000400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The Holarctic genus Reticulitermes shows seven species within the Mediterranean Basin. While phylogeny and systematics at continental level has been deeply investigated, a few studies concentrated on local ranges. To gain a clearer picture of the diversity and evolution of the Italian species Reticulitermes lucifugus, we analyzed the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene marker in newly collected colonies across the Peninsula. Data were gathered with all R. lucifugus sequences available from previous studies; COII sequences of the closely related Iberian taxa were also added to the data set. Maximum-likelihood, median-joining and statistical parsimony network elaborations on the resulting 119 colonies all agreed in indicating that: (i) the Sardo-Corsican subspecies R. lucifugus corsicus, strictly related to Southern Italian populations (including the Sicilian ones), is phylogenetically closer to the Iberian Reticulitermes grassei; and (ii) R. lucifugus lucifugus peninsular populations are structured into three clusters. The phylogenetic relationships and the biogeography of extant taxa suggest a scenario in which R. lucifugus ancestors colonized the Italian region through the Sardo-Corsican microplate during its Oligocene-Miocene anticlockwise rotation. Moreover, well after the colonization took place, northward range expansion might have produced the presently observed genetic diversity, as inferred from haplotype and nucleotide diversity estimates. On the whole, this study highlights the evolution of Italian Reticulitermes taxa and supports the importance of a wide taxon sampling especially when dealing with organisms easily dispersed by human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Luchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 3-40126 Bologna, Italy
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Luchetti A, Dedeine F, Velonà A, Mantovani B. Extreme genetic mixing within colonies of the wood-dwelling termiteKalotermes flavicollis(Isoptera, Kalotermitidae). Mol Ecol 2013; 22:3391-402. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Luchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche; Geologiche e Ambientali - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna; via Selmi 3 Bologna 40126 Italy
| | - F. Dedeine
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte; UMR CNRS 7261; Faculté des Sciences; Université de Tours; Parc de Grandmont Tours 37 200 France
| | - A. Velonà
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche; Geologiche e Ambientali - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna; via Selmi 3 Bologna 40126 Italy
| | - B. Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche; Geologiche e Ambientali - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna; via Selmi 3 Bologna 40126 Italy
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Velonà A, Luchetti A, Ghesini S, Marini M, Mantovani B. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers highlight the biodiversity of Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius, 1793) (Insecta, Isoptera, Kalotermitidae) in the Mediterranean area. Bull Entomol Res 2011; 101:353-364. [PMID: 21226979 DOI: 10.1017/s000748531000060x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The biodiversity of the European termite Kalotermes flavicollis is here studied through the analysis of mitochondrial (303 bp of control region and 912 bp of COI/tRNA(Leu)/COII) and nuclear (five microsatellite and 20 Inter-SINE loci) markers on 18 colonies collected in Southern France, Corsica, Sardinia, peninsular Italy, the Balkans and Greece. Different statistical analyses (Bayesian phylogenetic analysis,parsimony network, F-statistics, PCA) were performed. Mitochondrial sequences produced an unresolved polytomy including samples from peninsular Italy, Balkans and Greece, and three main clades: southern France, Corsica-Sardinia and Portoscuso(SW Sardinia). Nuclear markers confirm these data, further highlighting a more significant divergence at the regional scale. The results obtained for the peri-Tyrrhenian area agree with major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic events that shaped the biodiversity of the local fauna. K. flavicollis biodiversity and its phylogeographic pattern are also evaluated in the light of the data available for the other native European termite taxon (genus Reticulitermes), in order to produce a more complete scenario of the Mediterranean. In the area comprised between southern France and Italy, the degree of diversity is similar; however, in the eastern area, while K. flavicollis is differentiated only at the population level, the genus Reticulitermes comprises at least six entities of specific and/or subspecific level. This discrepancy may be explained by taking into account the different evolutionary histories of the two taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Velonà
- Università degli Studi di Bologna, Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica Sperimentale, via Selmi 3, Bologna, Italy
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Velonà A, Luchetti A, Scanabissi F, Mantovani B. Genetic variability and reproductive modalities in European populations ofTriops cancriformis(Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Notostraca). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/11250000902785314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Plohl M, Petrović V, Luchetti A, Ricci A, Satović E, Passamonti M, Mantovani B. Long-term conservation vs high sequence divergence: the case of an extraordinarily old satellite DNA in bivalve mollusks. Heredity (Edinb) 2009; 104:543-51. [PMID: 19844270 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2009.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquity of satellite DNA (satDNA) sequences has raised much controversy over the abundance of divergent monomer variants and the long-time nucleotide sequence stability observed for many satDNA families. In this work, we describe the satDNA BIV160, characterized in nine species of the three main bivalve clades (Protobranchia, Pteriomorphia and Heteroconchia). BIV160 monomers are similar in repeat size and nucleotide sequence to satDNAs described earlier in oysters and in the clam Donax trunculus. The broad distribution of BIV160 satDNA indicates that similar variants existed in the ancestral bivalve species that lived about 540 million years ago; this makes BIV160 the most ancient satDNA described so far. In the species examined, monomer variants are distributed in quite a complex pattern. This pattern includes (i) species characterized by a specific group of variants, (ii) species that share distinct group(s) of variants and (iii) species with both specific and shared types. The evolutionary scenario suggested by these data reconciles sequence uniformity in homogenization-maintained satDNA arrays with the genomic richness of divergent monomer variants formed by diversification of the same ancestral satDNA sequence. Diversified repeats can continue to evolve in a non-concerted manner and behave as independent amplification-contraction units in the framework of a 'library of satDNA variants' representing a permanent source of monomers that can be amplified into novel homogeneous satDNA arrays. On the whole, diversification of satDNA monomers and copy number fluctuations provide a highly dynamic genomic environment able to form and displace satDNA sequence variants rapidly in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Plohl
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruder Bosković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
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20
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Pampiglione S, Fioravanti ML, Gustinelli A, Onore G, Mantovani B, Luchetti A, Trentini M. Sand flea (Tunga spp.) infections in humans and domestic animals: state of the art. Med Vet Entomol 2009; 23:172-186. [PMID: 19712148 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2009.00807.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Tungiasis is a parasitic disease of humans and animals caused by fleas (Siphonaptera) belonging to the genus Tunga. Two species, Tunga penetrans (L.) and Tunga trimamillata, out of 10 described to date, are known to affect man or domestic animals; the other eight are exclusive to a few species of wild mammals. Tunga penetrans and T. trimamillata originated from Latin America, although the first species is also found in sub-Saharan Africa (between 20 degrees N and 25 degrees S). Hundreds of millions of people are at risk of infection in more than 70 nations, mostly in developing countries. The second species has been reported only in Ecuador and Peru. Males and non-fertilized females of Tunga are haematophagous ectoparasites; pregnant females penetrate the skin where, following dilatation of the abdomen, they increase enormously in size (neosomy) and cause inflammatory and ulcerative processes of varying severity. The importance of Tunga infection in humans concerns its frequent localization in the foot, which sometimes causes very serious difficulty in walking, thereby reducing the subject's ability to work and necessitating medical and surgical intervention. Tungiasis in domestic animals can be responsible for economic losses resulting from flea-induced lesions and secondary infections. Because tungiasis represents a serious problem for tropical public health and because of the recent description of a new species (Tunga trimamillata), it seems appropriate to review current knowledge of the morphology, molecular taxonomy, epidemiology, pathology, treatment and control of sand fleas of the genus Tunga.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pampiglione
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Filareto A, Ferraguti G, Malgieri A, Luchetti A, Spitalieri P, Strom R, Novelli G, Sangiuolo F, Lucarelli M. DNA METHYLATION ENHANCES REPAIR EFFICIENCY OF SMALL FRAGMENT HOMOLOGOUS REPLACEMENT (SFHR) GENE TARGETING. J Cyst Fibros 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(08)60527-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Mantovani B, Cesari M, Luchetti A, Scanabissi F. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA variability in the living fossil Triops cancriformis (Bosc, 1801) (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Notostraca). Heredity (Edinb) 2008; 100:496-505. [DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2008.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Miano S, Parisi P, Pelliccia A, Luchetti A, Paolino M, Villa M. L0038 Melatonin, 3 mg, is an effective and alternative prophylactic treatment for headache prevention in a pediatric population. Sleep Med 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1389-9457(07)70406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Antonini G, Luchetti A, Mastrangelo M, Ciambra GL, Di Netta S, Taioli F, Fabrizi GM, Iannetti P. Early-onset hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy. Neuropediatrics 2007; 38:50-4. [PMID: 17607607 DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-981451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The clinical onset of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) in childhood is rarely reported. On the basis of a 5-year-old affected patient, we reviewed the cases reported in the literature to evaluate the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with an early onset (<10 years) of HNPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Antonini
- Department of Neurology, 2nd School of Medicine, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome. Italy
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25
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Luchetti A, Mantovani B, Pampiglione S, Trentini M. Molecular characterization of Tunga trimamillata and T. penetrans (Insecta, Siphonaptera, Tungidae): taxonomy and genetic variability. Parasite 2005; 12:123-9. [PMID: 15991825 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2005122123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A new species of the genus Tungo, T. trimamillata has recently been described on the basis of several morphological traits. To explore the taxonomic status of this flea with respect to T. penetrans, we undertook a molecular analysis of cytochrome oxydase II and 16S rDNA mitochondrial genes and of the internal transcribed spacer 2 nuclear marker on samples of both species. Maximum Parsimony evaluations of the three data set indicate a differentiation compatible with a specific rank between the two fleas with very high levels of divergence. Both mitochondrial and nuclear data are in line with a recent bottleneck in the Malagasy population of T. penetrans, possibly due to the recent colonisation of Africa via human transportation. Further, significantly lower mitochondrial variability in the Ecuadorian populations of T. penetrans with respect to the T. trimamillata ones is also evidenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Luchetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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De Petris L, Luchetti A, Emma F. Cell volume regulation and transport mechanisms across the blood-brain barrier: implications for the management of hypernatraemic states. Eur J Pediatr 2001; 160:71-7. [PMID: 11271393 DOI: 10.1007/s004310000631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Onset and correction of hypernatraemia constitute major hypertonic stresses for mammalian cells. Cells respond by activating specific osmoregulatory mechanisms allowing to preserve their volume and to adapt to their new environmental conditions. These processes have major implications in the management of hypernatraemia. In particular, cells chronically exposed to hypertonic conditions progressively accumulate organic osmolytes to maintain optimal intracellular electrolyte concentrations. During treatment of hypernatraemia, elevated intracellular organic osmotic content exposes cells to cellular oedema if sodium concentrations are rapidly corrected. In addition, circulating ions equilibrate slowly across the blood-brain barrier during acute changes in plasma osmolality. This can generate major brain water shifts and severe cerebral lesions related to brain shrinking or cerebral oedema. CONCLUSION The basic mechanisms involved in brain ion and water transport are reviewed. A proper understanding of these processes is essential to develop appropriate treatment strategies in managing children with hypernatraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Petris
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rizzo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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Vanacore R, Ferrara MP, Berni R, Luchetti A, Gianfaldoni ML, Sbrana S, Ambrogi F. IgE modification of the specific antidermatophagoides during the first year of specific immunotherapy (SIT). Allerg Immunol (Paris) 1992; 24:387-9. [PMID: 1288544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Six subjects (4 female, 2 male), aged from 16 to 25 years, presented with allergic rhinitis to Dermatophagoides mites and received SIT by the sub-cutaneous route with delayed-release alpha fraction Bayropharm at the standard doses. Diagnosis was based on clinical history, skin tests and measurement of specific IgE at 0, 3, 9, and 12 months, by the fluoro-enzymatic technique (FAST). For comparison, in a reference group (n = 20) the IgE varied between 0.32 and 0.11 IU/ml for D1 and 0.31 to 0.09 IU/ml for D2. The eight patients had specific IgE titres of D1 = 0.96, D2 = 0.99. For these authors, the FAST technique used for the measurement of specific IgE, although less sensitive than the RIA technique of RAST, gives a good evaluation of SIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vanacore
- Clinica Medica I, Universita di Pisa, Italia
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Ravelli V, Lutzemberger L, Faggionato F, Marconi F, Luchetti A. [Enteral nutrition in the critical neurosurgical patient. Effectiveness and tolerance of a prepared liquid diet]. Minerva Anestesiol 1989; 55:199-201. [PMID: 2515484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The response of prealbumin was studied in 15 neurosurgical patients following 7 days of enteral nutrition by Nutrisond. Baseline values were compared to day 4 and 7 to assess the degree of change. The prealbumin of day 7 versus baseline value showed a significant increase in the mean serum concentration (16.49 +/- 4.0 vs 19.75 +/- 4.2 mg %). All the patients tolerate well the enteral nutrition with Nutrisond.
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Mazzoni MM, Giannaccini G, Luccacchini A, Bazzichi L, Ciompi LM, Pasero G, Colizzi V, Giordani R, Luchetti A. Urate binding globulin: specific antibody preparation. Adv Exp Med Biol 1986; 195 Pt A:387-92. [PMID: 2425565 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4684-5104-7_65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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