QTL mapping of melon fruit quality traits using a high-density GBS-based genetic map

BACKGROUND

Melon shows a broad diversity in fruit morphology and quality, which is still underexploited in breeding programs. The knowledge of the genetic basis of fruit quality traits is important for identifying new alleles that may be introduced in elite material by highly efficient molecular breeding tools.

RESULTS

In order to identify QTLs controlling fruit quality, a recombinant inbred line population was developed using two commercial cultivars as parental lines: "Védrantais", from the cantalupensis group, and "Piel de Sapo", from the inodorus group. Both have desirable quality traits for the market, but their fruits differ in traits such as rind and flesh color, sugar content, ripening behavior, size and shape. We used a genotyping-by-sequencing strategy to construct a dense genetic map, which included around five thousand variants distributed in 824 bins. The RIL population was phenotyped for quality and morphology traits, and we mapped 33 stable QTLs involved in sugar and carotenoid content, fruit and seed morphology and major loci controlling external color of immature fruit and mottled rind. The median confidence interval of the QTLs was 942 kb, suggesting that the high density of the genetic map helped in increasing the mapping resolution. Some of these intervals contained less than a hundred annotated genes, and an integrative strategy combining gene expression and resequencing data enabled identification of candidate genes for some of these traits.

CONCLUSION

Several QTLs controlling fruit quality traits in melon were identified and delimited to narrow genomic intervals, using a RIL population and a GBS-based genetic map.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of the bifunctional μ and δ opioid receptor ligand UFP-505

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Targeting more than one opioid receptor type simultaneously may have analgesic advantages in reducing side-effects. We have evaluated the mixed μ opioid receptor agonist/ δ opioid receptor antagonist UFP-505 in vitro and in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We measured receptor density and function in single μ, δ and μ /δ receptor double expression systems. GTPγ35 S binding, cAMP formation and arrestin recruitment were measured. Antinociceptive activity was measured in vivo using tail withdrawal and paw pressure tests following acute and chronic treatment. In some experiments, we collected tissues to measure receptor densities.

KEY RESULTS

UFP-505 bound to μ receptors with full agonist activity and to δ receptors as a low efficacy partial agonist At μ, but not δ receptors, UFP-505 binding recruited arrestin. Unlike morphine, UFP-505 treatment internalized μ receptors and there was some evidence for internalization of δ receptors. Similar data were obtained in a μ /δ receptor double expression system. In rats, acute UFP-505 or morphine, injected intrathecally, was antinociceptive. In tissues harvested from these experiments, μ and δ receptor density was decreased after UFP-505 but not morphine treatment, in agreement with in vitro data. Both morphine and UFP-505 induced significant tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

In this study, UFP-505 behaved as a full agonist at μ receptors with variable activity at δ receptors. This bifunctional compound was antinociceptive in rats after intrathecal administration. In this model, dual targeting provided no advantages in terms of tolerance liability.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.

Functional antagonism between nociceptin/orphanin FQ and corticotropin-releasing factor in rat anxiety-related behaviors: involvement of the serotonergic system

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) acts as an anxiolytic-like agent in the rat and behaves as a functional antagonist of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) due to its ability to oppose CRF biological actions. In response to stress, CRF triggers changes in neurotransmitter systems including serotonin (5-HT). The role of 5-HT1A receptor in anxiety has been supported by preclinical and clinical studies. The present study investigated the possible functional antagonism between N/OFQ (1nmol/rat) and CRF (0.2nmol/rat) in anxiety-related conditions in rats, using elevated plus maze and defensive burying tests, in order to confirm previous literature results. Moreover, possible changes in the serotonergic system were studied in areas rich of serotonergic neurons: frontal cortex and pons. In both tests N/OFQ showed anxiolytic-like effects while CRF displayed anxiogenic-like effects. N/OFQ before CRF treatment counteracted the anxiogenic-like effects evoked by CRF. In frontal cortex, N/OFQ significantly decreased 5-HT levels but did not modify the hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) ones; CRF modified neither 5-HT nor 5-HIAA content but counteracted changes induced by N/OFQ alone. In pons, N/OFQ induced no change in serotonergic activity while CRF significantly decreased 5-HT levels and increased 5-HIAA content. The two peptides' combination reinstated serotonergic parameters to controls. In frontal cortex, N/OFQ increased the 5HT1A receptor density but reduced its affinity, while CRF alone did not induce any change. In pons, CRF decreased 5HT1ABmax and KD whereas N/OFQ was ineffective. All biochemical modifications were reverted by N/OFQ plus CRF treatment. The present study confirms that N/OFQ counteracts CRF anxiogenic-like effects in the behavioral tests evaluated. These effects may involve central serotonergic mechanisms since N/OFQ plus CRF induces a reversion of serotonergic changes provoked by single peptide. Our data support the hypothesis that N/OFQ may behave as functional CRF antagonist, this action being of interest for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Neuropeptide S stimulates human monocyte chemotaxis via NPS receptor activation

Neuropeptide S (NPS) produces several biological actions by activating a formerly orphan GPCR, now named NPS receptor (NPSR). It has been previously demonstrated that NPS stimulates murine leukocyte chemotaxis in vitro. In the present study we investigated the ability of NPS, in comparison with the proinflammatory peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), to stimulate human monocyte chemotaxis. At a concentration of 10(-8)M fMLP significantly stimulated chemotaxis. NPS produced a concentration dependent chemotactic action over the concentration range 10(-12) to 10(-5)M. The NPSR antagonists [D-Cys((t)Bu)(5)]NPS, [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS and SHA 68 were used to pharmacologically characterize NPS action. Monocyte chemoattractant effect of NPS, but not fMLP, was completely blocked by either peptide antagonists or SHA with the nonpeptide molecule being more potent. None of the NPSR antagonists modified per se random cell migration. Thus, the present study demonstrated that NPS is able to stimulate human monocyte chemotaxis and that this effect is entirely due to selective NPSR activation.

[tBu-D-Gly5]NPS, a pure and potent antagonist of the neuropeptide S receptor: in vitro and in vivo studies

Neuropeptide S (NPS) regulates various biological functions by selectively activating the NPS receptor (NPSR). Recently, the NPSR ligand [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS was generated and in vitro characterized as a pure antagonist at the mouse NPSR. In the present study the pharmacological profile of [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS has been investigated. [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS activity was evaluated in vitro in the calcium mobilization assay at the rat NPSR and in vivo in the locomotor activity and righting reflex tests in mice and in the elevated plus maze and defensive burying assays in rats. In vitro, [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS was inactive per se while it inhibited the calcium mobilization induced by 30 nM NPS (pK(B) 7.42). In Schild analysis experiments [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (0.1-10 μM) produced a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to NPS, showing a pA(2) value of 7.17. In mouse locomotor activity experiments, supraspinal injection of [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (1-10 nmol) dose dependently counteracted NPS (0.1 nmol) stimulant effects. In the mouse righting reflex assay [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (0.1-10 nmol) fully prevented the arousal-promoting action of the natural peptide (0.1 nmol). Finally, [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS (3-30 nmol) was able to completely block NPS (1 nmol) anxiolytic-like actions in rat elevated plus maze and defensive burying assays. Collectively, the present results demonstrated that [(t)Bu-D-Gly(5)]NPS behaves both in vitro and in vivo as a pure and potent NPSR antagonist. This compound represents a novel and useful tool for investigating the pharmacology and neurobiology of the NPS/NPSR system.

Effect of acute and repeated administration of paracetamol on opioidergic and serotonergic systems in rats

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

We investigated the antinociceptive effect of paracetamol or morphine after repeated administration and the changes in the characteristics of central mu-, kappa- and 5-HT2 receptors.

TREATMENT

Male rats were injected twice a day for seven days with paracetamol (400 mg/kg, i. p.) or morphine (5 mg/kg, s. c.).

METHODS

The antinociceptive effect was evaluated 30 min after single and multiple doses of paracetamol and morphine through the hot-plate test. Binding techniques were used to evaluate the receptor characteristics in the frontal cortex.

RESULTS

Both paracetamol and morphine induced an antinociceptive effect on day 1 but only paracetamol maintained this effect for seven days while morphine did not. The number of mu-opioid receptors decreased on days 1, 3, and 7 by a similar percentage after paracetamol administration (by 29, 31 and 34 %, respectively), while morphine produced a progressive decrease in comparison with controls (by 37, 49 and 60 %, respectively) and kappa-opioid receptors were unaffected. Both drugs similarly decreased the 5-HT2 receptor number on all days of treatment (by about 30 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The opioidergic and serotonergic systems are involved in different ways in the induction and maintenance of antinociception after paracetamol or morphine treatment.

Merosin-positive congenital muscular dystrophy with mental retardation, microcephaly and central nervous system abnormalities unlinked to the Fukuyama muscular dystrophy and muscular-eye-brain loci: report of three siblings

Classical merosin (2 laminin)-positive congenital muscular dystrophy is a heterogeneous subgroup of disorders; a few cases characterized by severe mental retardation, brain involvement and no ocular abnormalities were called Fukuyama-like congenital muscular dystrophy. We report a family of healthy non-consanguineous parents, with four affected siblings, of which one died at the age of 7 months due to an intercurrent illness, who presented congenital hypotonia, severe mental retardation, microcephaly, delayed psychomotor development, generalized muscular wasting and weakness with mild facial involvement, calf pseudohypertrophy, joint contractures and areflexia. Muscle biopsy disclosed severe muscular dystrophy. Immunostaining for laminin 2 80 kDa and clone Mer3/22B2 monoclonal antibodies, 1 and 1 chain was preserved. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with pontocerebellar hypoplasia, bilateral opercular abnormalities and focal cortical dysplasia as well as minute periventricular white matter changes. Clusters of small T2-weighted focal hyperintensities in both cerebellar hemispheres consistent with cysts were observed in two of the three siblings studied with magnetic resonance imaging. Ophthalmologic and cardiologic examination was normal. Haplotype analysis using microsatellite markers excluded the Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy, LAMA2 and muscle-eye-brain disease loci. Thus, a wider spectrum of phenotypes, gene defects and protein deficiencies might be involved in congenital muscular dystrophy with brain abnormalities.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in mice. I. Concomitant evaluation of inflammatory cells and haemorrhagic lung damage

Intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces an inflammatory response characterized by infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the extracellular matrix and by the release of mediators that play a fundamental role in lung damage. In the present study, we developed a mouse model which allows correlation of the inflammatory response and haemorrhagic tissue injury in the same animal. In particular, the different steps of the inflammatory response and tissue damage were evaluated by the analysis of three parameters: myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the parenchyma, reflecting PMNs accumulation into the lung, inflammatory cells count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), reflecting their extravasation, and total haemoglobin estimation in BALF, a marker of haemorrhagic tissue damage consequent to PMNs degranulation. In our experimental conditions, intra-tracheal administration of 10 microg/mouse of LPS evoked an increase of MPO activity in the lung at 4 h (131%) and 6 h (147%) from endotoxin challenge. A significant increase of PMNs in the BALF was noticed at these times with a plateau between the 12nd and 24th h. PMN accumulation produced a time-dependent haemorrhagic lung damage until 24 h after LPS injection (4 h: +38%; 6 h: +23%; 12 h: +44%; 24 h: +129% increase of haemoglobin concentration in the BALF vs. control). Lung injury was also assessed histopathologically. Twenty-four hours after the challenge, diffuse alveolar haemorrhage, as well as PMN recruitment in the interstitium and alveolus were observed in the LPS group. This model was pharmacologically characterized by pretreatment of LPS-treated mice with antiinflammatory drugs acting on different steps of the <<inflammatory cascade>>. We demonstrated that: a) betamethasone (1, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg p.o.) reduced in a dose-dependent manner the MPO activity, the number of inflammatory cells and, at the same time, lung injury; b) pentoxifylline, a TNFalpha production inhibitor (200 mg/kg i.p.), inhibited PMN extravasation and lung haemorrhage but it was not able to reduce MPO activity in the lung; c) L-680,833, an anti-elastase compound (30 mg/kg po), decreased significantly only the haemorrhagic lung damage; d) indomethacin, a non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (5 mg/kg p.o.), did not show any effect on any of the parameters considered. In conclusion, our in vivo mouse model is a practical alternative to animal models of ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) recently described and it permits to dissect and to characterize the different steps of PMNs infiltration and, at the same time, the damage caused by their activation.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in mice. II. Evaluation of functional damage in isolated parenchyma strips

Pulmonary inflammatory diseases are characterized by changes in airway responsiveness. This phenomenon is commonly related to the action of inflammatory mediators produced by infiltrated leukocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate in an ex vivo experimental model the effect of acute instillation of lipopolysaccharide (bacterial endotoxin; LPS) on lung parenchyma contractility. We firstly characterized the responsiveness of isolated murine lung to airway stimuli. Murine parenchymal strips were found to be mainly sensitive to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) while the cholinergic agonist, methacholine (MCh), evoked a smaller contractile response. 5-HT responsiveness was inhibited by methysergide. No significant parenchymal contraction was evoked by histamine, substance P and bradykinin. Lung responsiveness to 5-HT was significantly reduced by in vivo LPS treatment and this effect was only partially paralleled by leukocyte infiltration. In addition, LPS-induced hyporesponsiveness was significantly inhibited by betamethasone (BMS) or pentoxifylline (PTX) pretreatment suggesting that 5-HT lung hyporesponsiveness could be mediated by LPS-induced inflammatory mediators such as inflammatory cytokines.

The running horse stops: the hypothetical role of the eyes in imagery of movement

To examine the hypothetical role of the eyes in visual mental imagery of movement 72 undergraduate women students in psychology were asked to imagine a running horse and then to produce the same mental image without moving the eyes and the head. In 59% of the subjects interesting modifications of the imagined movement appeared: 37% observed an inhibition of the movement and 19% an evident slowing up of the moving figure. The interpretation of this result was made by hypothesizing that the eyes are concretely involved in visual imagery processes.

[Congenital mirror movements. Three new cases of a rare condition]

INTRODUCTION

Mirror movements (MM) are involuntary shudders which occur at the same time as voluntary movements of the homologous contralateral muscles. They may occur alone or associated with other pathology.

CLINICAL CASES

We present three new cases of congenital MM (CMM) and discuss their clinical, physiopathological and genetic aspects. Case 1. A four year old boy was brought to the clinic because he dropped things held in one hand when he tried to take things with the other. On examination it was seen that when he made a voluntary movement with one hand, the other hand made a similar movement simultaneously and involuntarily. This phenomenon had been observed since he was a few months old. Apart from this, the rest of the neurological examination was normal. Cerebral MR was also normal. Neuropsychological assessment showed borderline intellectual function. Case 2. The first patient's father, who was 26 years old, knew no details of his own family history. Since childhood he had noticed that he himself had made similar movements to those of his son. However, with time, he had managed to partially control and even inhibit these movements. His cerebral MR scan was normal. Case 3. An 11 year old boy consulted for MM, non-fluctuating congenital palpebral ptosis and nocturnal enuresis. The neurological examination and his intelligence were found to be normal. One of his sisters had palpebral ptosis and nocturnal enuresis without MM. His cerebral MR, X-ray of his spine, EMG, electroretinogram, CPK, blood lactate, glucemia, urine and urological examination were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

MM may be another manifestation within the clinical spectrum of diverse encephalopathies; may be associated with different syndromes (Kallman, Klippel-Feil and Usher amongst others) or may present alone. Both familial and sporadic cases have been described. We consider our cases 1 and 2 to be of the familial CMM condition, with autosomal dominant inheritance, in which MM was the only finding. The association observed in case 3 has not previously been described. It may possibly be a condition transmitted by autosomal recessive inheritance.

[An analysis of the psychophysiological components in subjects with temporomandibular disorders. Myographic tension and the management of aggressiveness]

BACKGROUND

The stomatognathic literature doesn't sufficiently stress the role of aggressiveness as a modulator of muscular tensions. Our study focused on the hypothesis that 1) original psychological problems related to the modulation of aggressivity could produce 2) chronic muscular tension of the oral district 3) they can become the basis of the malocclusive phenomenon. The investigation was conducted in the laboratory of Clinical Psychophysiology of the University of Rome "La Sapienza".

METHODS

We have examined the myographic activity of the temporal and masseter muscles of both sides in 20 women with temporomandibular dysfunction and in the control group comparable by age. The myographic tension was examined in three "stimulus situations": a) closed lips without any teeth contact; b) with light teeth contact; c) with compression of the dental arcade. Moreover, we have examined the style of aggressiveness modulation through Rosenzweig's PFS test. Features of the experimental group were. 1) age between 20 and 30 yrs; 2) presence of condylomeniscal uncoordination; 3) deviation of the median line of incisors; 4) lateral deviation in the opening and/or closing mandible.

RESULTS

The experimental group showed a higher score of myographic amplitude for the above-mentioned muscles of both sides in three "stimulus situations". Moreover, it presented at the Rosenzweig's test more elevated scores for the Dominance of Obstacle (O-D); b) less elevated scores for Ego Defence (E-D).

CONCLUSIONS

Results are commented on the basis of an integrated psychophysiological model.

Synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the 2-(6'methoxy-3',4'-dihydro-1'-naphtyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4- one as a new potent substrate inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase

The title 2-vinyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one has been synthesised and tested for inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase. The compound has shown activity both in vitro towards human sputum elastase and in vivo in an hemorrhagic assay.

Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy associated with abnormal cerebral cortical gyration: an autopsy study

We report clinical, biopsy and autopsy findings in a merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) infant with abnormal cortical gyration. Brain showed polymicrogyria and occipital agyria with marginal neuroglial heterotopia and inferior vermis hypoplasia. There was a normal pattern of myelination consistent with early age. Laminin alpha 2 chain was also absent in myocardium, brain pial-glial membrane, brain and skin blood vessels as well as intramuscular and skin nerves. Occasional basal lamina gaps were found in muscle fibres but not in brain-blood vessels. This is the first autopsy study in a merosin-deficient CMD case with abnormal cortical gyration.

The hypothetical pathogenetic role of inhibition of pleasure and muscular tension in uterine fibroma

In the framework of a psychophysiological integrated model of emotion, inhibition, and their linked role in developing pathology, we have examined some physiological and psychological aspects of 17 volunteer women with uterine fibromatosis and 14 women without pathology. The hypothesis was that women with uterine fibromatosis habitually inhibit the subjective feeling of pleasure during the sexual sequence, measured on a self-rating scale. Following the psychophysiological model of Ruggieri, the inhibitory mechanism would be actively produced by modulating the muscular tonic activity in particular of the rectus of the abdomen whose bioelectrical activity is measured at rest. The patients with uterine fibromatosis presented more elevated muscular tension than controls and less intense pleasure felt during the sexual sequence. Discussion of the data considered also the possibility that the muscular tension of the abdominal wall would play a role through reflex mechanisms (somatovisceral reflexes) in developing pathology.

Severe Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1A with 1-base pair deletion and frameshift mutation in the peripheral myelin protein 22 gene

A 27-year-old man with negative family history and both parents with normal neurological evaluation and motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCVs) showed onset of severe weakness of feet at 4 years of age. Subsequently he developed left equinovarus deformity, thoracic scoliosis, ulnar nerve enlargement, areflexia, distal hypesthesia and slowing of MNCVs for median and ulnar nerves (15-25 m/sec). Molecular genetic studies showed deletion of one nucleotide (G330) (codon 94) in exon 3 of the PMP22 gene associated with frameshift mutation.

Effect of increased maternal corticosterone during lactation on hippocampal corticosteroid receptors, stress response and learning in offspring in the early stages of life

The influence of maternal corticosterone during lactation on the development of the hippocampal corticosteroid receptor system, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and spatial learning/retention performance was investigated in the rat during postnatal days 11 to 30. We increased the plasma levels of corticosterone by adding the hormone (200 microg/ml) to the drinking water of the dams. When compared to controls corticosterone-nursed offspring displayed: i) higher number of hippocampal type I and type II corticosteroid receptors at 30 days of life, but no changes at 11 and 16 days; ii) higher plasma levels of corticosterone in the basal condition and after 15 min of maternal separation at 11 but not at 16 days: iii) lower adrenal weights at 11 and 16 days, but which were no longer present at the age of 30 days; iv) no difference in performance in the place learning version of the Morris water task and T aquatic maze at 16 days. The present results, together with our previous findings showing that 90-day-old corticosterone-nursed rats have lower basal and restraint stress corticosterone levels and improved learning performance, indicate that the effects of maternal treatment appears only after weaning, thereby suggesting that increased corticosteroid receptors may be responsible, at least partially, for the endocrine and learning modifications induced by pre-weaning corticosterone exposure. The role played by maternal circulating corticosterone during the period of lactation in shaping the characteristics of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain of the offspring is outlined.

Reduced hippocampal in vitro CA1 long-term potentiation in rat offsprings with increased circulating corticosterone during neonatal life

A moderate increase in plasma level of corticosterone was induced in dams by adding the hormone (200 micrograms/ml) to the drinking water from the day after delivery to weaning. This procedure produces a parallel increase in plasma levels of the hormone in the pups (from 0.7 +/- 0.1 to 1.2 +/- 0.2 micrograms/100 ml) at 10 days of lactation. A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the magnitude of the long-term potentiation (LTP) of the CA1 population spike occurred in hippocampal slices obtained from 30-45 day old male corticosterone-nursed rats with respect to controls, while no significant difference occurred in the magnitude of the basal CA1 evoked extracellular somatic field potentials with respect to controls. The results demonstrate that a moderate increase in plasma corticosterone during neonatal life, obtained through maternal milk, has long-lasting effects on the hippocampal CA1 synaptic plasticity. In addition, these results together with our previous findings [Catalani, A. et al., Brain Res., 624 (1993) 209-215], demonstrating that 30 day old corticosterone-nursed offsprings perform better than controls in the place learning version of the Morris water maze, show no relationships between in vitro CA1 LTP induction and spatial learning in agreement with literature data.

Bodily perception in the organization of postural attitude and movement

In the present research we hypothesized that some particular areas or points of the body play a role in the modulation of muscular (tonic and phasic) activity. In particular, we hypothesized that subjects utilize some bodily points as constant perceptual afferences in organizing the motoric responses of the whole body. The bodily points (called perceptual focal points) could have the same role as the bow of a boat for the sailor in orienting the spatial position of the boat and its movement. We have observed the presence of these perceptual focal points in 85% of a group of undergraduate students of psychology, 21 women and 19 men, during a real and an imagined movement of the whole body. Results indicated also that, if subjects were told to modify their habitual focal points, important modifications in subjective feelings of instability, pleasure, and tension appeared.

An analysis of a performance by the violinist D. Oistrakh: the hypothetical role of postural tonic-static and entourage movements

In an interdisciplinary research project carried out by a violinist and a psychophysiologist which is based on a videotape of a performance by the violinist, David Oistrakh, we draw attention to certain postural attitudes and movements which appear in sequences of his rendition of the Brandenburg Concerto N. 4 by Bach and the Concerto for Violin in D Major by Mozart. These postural attitudes and movements occur with a certain regularity and are particular to each piece of music. For example, in the Brandenburg Concerto, one can observe rhythmic oscillations of the musician's whole body, with a shifting of the weight (alternanza di appoggio) from the left to the right foot. The performer's movements were compared with corresponding points of the musical score. Within this analytical framework, we hypothesize that these movements have not only a mechanical postural role but an expressive aesthetic one.

Childhood neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses in Argentina

We report on 30 cases of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL), mainly diagnosed in 1985-1993 in Argentina, whose population is predominantly of European descent. Twenty-four cases were late infantile Jansky-Bielschowsky (LINCL) and 6 were juvenile Spielmeyer-Vogt (JNCL). Sex ratio was female:male, 20:10. Age range and mean at onset and at diagnosis for the LINCL cases were 1-6 years, mean 3.1, and 2-11 years, mean 5.5, and for the JNCL cases, 5-9 years, mean 7, and 9-18 years, mean 13, respectively. Cases were referred for biopsy after neurological examination, and most included complete electrophysiological [electroencephalography (EEG) with photic stimulation, electroretinography (ERG), and visual-evoked potential (VEP)], neuroimaging, and neurometabolic investigation. NCL was the first suspected clinical diagnosis, followed by mitochondrial encephalopathy in some cases of recent onset. Except for 1 case, clinical findings were homogeneous in LINCL, characterized by refractive epilepsy, mental regression and progressive deterioration, ataxia, myoclonia, and visual loss. Abnormal VEP, ERG, and EEG, with polyphasic high-voltage spikes when photic stimulation was performed at low frequency, were observed. Visual impairment and retinitis pigmentosa were early manifestations in 4/6 JNCL, followed by mental abnormalities, motor deterioration, and myoclonic jerks, while 2/4 followed an atypical course. In both variants inheritance was autosomal-recessive. Five out of 27 families had more than 1 affected member, 3 of whom were included in our series. Diagnosis was initially performed in conjunctival biopsy in 3 cases, skin in 5, muscle in 17, and brain in 5, though most cases had a concomitant biopsy from another tissue including nerve, and there was a single brain autopsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Styles of interpersonal contact and muscular tone at rest of some muscles of the shoulder

Styles of interpersonal contact are related, we hypothesized, to particular postural attitude showing the tendency to interact with or to avoid the environment. Those attitudes are expressed through myographic patterns. Now we examined the interpersonal contact styles and the muscular activity at rest (frequency and amplitude) of some muscles of the shoulders of 54 undergraduate women in psychology. All subjects declared they were right-handed. Increased myographic frequency seems associated with the perception of some levels of interpersonal barrier while increased amplitude seems to facilitate contact with other persons.

A zoom lens before the eyes during imagery: individual differences and strange, unexpected responses

The research examined some aspects of an hypothetical involvement of the eyes in the process of imagery and the individual differences in the modulation of the imagery-perception interaction of 59 (7 male and 52 female) undergraduate students in psychology. The subjects were asked to image with open eyes and to project, looking through a zoom lens, the "mental" image onto a white screen. While the subject was imaging, the experimenter moved the lever of the zoom lens in the direction of an hypothetical enlargement. This movement evoked different classes of responses: 46% of the subjects had a loss, even if for a short time, of the image, 37% of the subjects observed a strange and unexpected enlargement of the mental image, 7% did not observe any change in imagery, and 10% had other responses. A psychophysiological discussion concerned the strange phenomena observed in this research that have not yet been explored enough.

Gaze orientation in perception of reversible figures

We hypothesized that during perception of reversible figures the direction of gaze toward a specific perceptual focal point plays a determining role in the identification of the images, i.e., when subjects are asked by the experimenter to perceive one of the two images, a displacement of the eyes toward a specific spatial area of the figure occurs. For each image we think there is a particular point of the figure which acts as perceptual organizer. The stimuli were the Hill and Boring, Ehrenstein, Rubin, and Schroeder reversible figures. Subjects were 47 undergraduate psychology students (32 women and 15 men). The number of ocular movements toward a different spatial direction were calculated for each suggested image of the reversing figure. Analysis showed that, in perceiving reversing figures, specific ocular displacements were present for each suggested image.

The eyes in imagery and perceptual processes: first remarks

Through an echographic system we examined the activity of the crystalline lens of 10 men and women during real perceptual activity and during imagery. Subjects had to perceive near and far stimuli and to imagine reading a word on a page of a book (near imagined stimulus) or seeing a ship on the horizon (far imagined stimulus). Results showed that processes of accommodation (linked to the variations of the optical axis of the crystalline lens) occur in both real and imaginative conditions. The first results suggest an active role of the eye during imagery.

Relationship between cognitive style and emotional behavior

In this research we examined the relationships among cognitive styles using the categorization of Bion and styles of modulation of emotional behavior (hostile content) explored with the Gottschalk, et al. method applied to the speech of 20 female and 10 male undergraduate students whose ages ranged from 20 to 35 years. Their verbalization was produced in a standard stimulus situation of 3 minutes duration. Analysis indicated a relationship between hostile attitude and cognitive styles. In particular, those who were relatively less hostile presented higher frequencies of processes classified by Bion as D2, which are characterized by an attitude of expectancy and waiting, with a tendency to defend internal psychological themas.

On the hypothesized physiological correspondence between perceptual and imagery processes

This research examined some aspects of the interaction between imagery and perception of 16 male and 84 female undergraduate students in psychology. The data indicate that, when a subject is imagining with open eyes, a modification in the external stimulation of the retina, produced by covering the eyes, strongly modifies the imaginative activity. The majority of the subjects observed a loss of mental image. In 54% of the subjects the loss of image was provoked by covering only one of the two eyes. Other subjects presented interesting alterations of the mental image. The observed differences among subjects are interpreted by hypothesizing a correspondence between perceptual and imaginative styles that could employ common neurophysiological structures at central and perhaps peripheral levels.

Styles of modulation of emotional behavior: relationship with myographic tension and morphology of the shoulder

We examined the morphology of the shoulder through anthropometric measures and the style of modulation of emotions of 54 women. The hypothesis was that the morphology of the shoulder (angles related to the position of the scapula, etc.) can be considered as partially inhibited gestures. The hypothesized relationship between emotions and shape of the shoulder is supported by the suggestion that some aspects of the morphology of the shoulder, as, for example, the habitual position of the scapulae, are an expression of particular gestures. The research indicates interesting relationships between morphological aspects of the shoulder and styles of modulation of emotion. These are discussed within the framework of a psychophysiological model.

Intracranial tumors and West syndrome

Two infants, 6 and 7 months of age, are reported with both West syndrome and cerebral tumors. In both patients, initial neurologic examinations were normal and tumor diagnoses were determined through routine imaging studies. Initial response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone treatment did not differ from that observed in patients with cryptogenic West syndrome. Early treatment of West syndrome and resection of tumor, when possible, may offer successful treatment of patients with both benign brain tumors and West syndrome.

Psychophysiology of analysis of connotative decodification: the role of thermic and somesthetic systems in decodification of chromatic stimuli

We hypothesized that in the decodification of connotative aspects of visual chromatic stimuli the periphery of the body plays an important role. In particular we hypothesized that the decodification process of so called "warm" and "cold" colours is related to a real modification of the temperature of the body which is the basis of the "subjective feeling" and of the attribution of the "emotional meaning" to the stimulus. So we have measured the temperature of the body of 36 female psychology students while they were looking at a luminous screen through spectacles in which filters (coloured lenses) of different colours were placed. Analysis indicated that during the perception of so called "warm" colours a statistically significant increase in the temperature of the body appeared. We observed an enhancement of temperature on the left side of the body during the perception with red and yellow filters and a small increase in temperature on the right side of the body with orange and yellow filters. In the discussion of the results we considered also the role of the cerebral dominance in decodification process of the connotative components of stimuli.

Styles of oroalimentary behavior: relationship with modulation of emotional behavior and myographic tension of the oral region

The relationship between styles of oroalimentary behavior and both modulation of aggressive behavior and myographic tension at rest for some muscles engaged in the process of mastication was examined for 24 women. Our data suggested an inverse relation between outward overt hostility and oral appetitive hyperactivation with or without partial masticatory components. Moreover, the oral appetitive activation was negatively correlated with the myographic tension of oral region, particularly the right masseter.

Visual decodification of some facial expressions through microimitation

We examined the level of muscular tension of mentalis muscle of 36 students in graphic design at rest and during the presentation of three slides reproducing facial expressions. Analysis showed an increase in the myographic level of mentalis muscle from the third second of measurement onwards after the presentation of the slide in which contraction of the chin was involved. We interpret this result by hypothesizing that the decodification of some facial expressions is realized through a microreproduction of the stimulus from the decodifying subject.

Relationship between emotions and some aspects of respiratory activity: morphology of the chest, cyclic activity, and acid-base balance

The relationship between the style of affective-emotional management measured on the Gottschalk test and respiratory activity of 19 undergraduate students in psychology was examined. The biological measurements were tonic-static attitudes of the chest (morphology), amplitude and duration of the phases of the respiratory activity, and acid-base balance. Statistically significant correlations were observed between affectivity (hostility and anxiety) and some biological scores. A psychophysiological model integrating biological and psychological levels was discussed.

Reaction to cutaneous (tickle) and sexual pleasure by normal and dermapathic subjects

We examined separately tickle perception and pleasure and anxiety during sexual sequence of 40 dermapathic (20 men and 22 women) and 39 normal subjects (20 men and 19 women) aged between 35 and 40 yr. The dermapathic patients have an inhibitory attitude towards tactile perception of tickling and high anxiety during the sexual sequence. Furthermore, they show positive association of anxiety and pleasure unlike the control group for whom the correlation between the two emotions is negative.

Chromatic perception in relation to an hypothesized cerebral dominance

On the basis of the cerebral dominance, we have hypothesized an asymmetry (for saturation or brightness) between the two eyes in perception of chromatic stimuli. 51 subjects were tested on chromatic perception (green, red, yellow, blue). For each subject also an ocular-dominance score was obtained. The results substantially confirmed the hypothesis of cerebral dominance in color perception. Subjects with high ocular-dominance scores (right- or left-dominant subjects) showed for the green stimulus asymmetric behavior, while subjects with low ocular-dominance scores showed a tendency toward symmetry in perception.

Relationships among pleasure, anxiety and physiological response patterns during the sexual sequence in normal and dispermic subjects

We examined the reported subjective level of pleasure and anxiety usually perceived during the four phases of the sexual sequence by 18 dispermic patients and 18 normal subjects. Relevant differences exist between the two groups in their perception of both emotions. The role of pleasure and anxiety in modulating some reflexive biological responses of the sexual sequence is discussed.