University Of Sassari Research Articles

Effect of exogenous growth hormone administration on endogenous growth hormone secretion induced by a met-enkephalin analog

Exogenous growth hormone (hGH) administration in humans attenuates the endogenous growth hormone (GH) response to some pharmacological stimuli; in particular, pretreatment with hGH completely blocks the serum GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone. In order to evaluate the mechanism(s) whereby opiods induce GH secretion in man, we gave the following treatments to six healthy male volunteers: (a) IV saline; (b) a met-enkephalin analog G-DAMME 250 micrograms IV as a bolus at time 0'; (c) hGH 2 IU as an IV bolus at time -180'; (d) G-DAMME as above, preceded by hGH as above. In our study, G-DAMME stimulated GH secretion both basally (peak 17.9 +/- 6.0 ng/ml) and, to a lesser extent, after hGH pretreatment (6.0 +/- 2.7 ng/ml). Since in our study G-DAMME was able to partially overcome the inhibitory effect of hGH administration, it is suggested that opioids act through an inhibition of somatostatin release and not through a GHRH-dependent pathway. However, an additional direct effect of hGH on pituitary somatotrophes cannot be excluded.

No reduction of spontaneously active mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons in ethanol withdrawn rats

1Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Sassari; ‘B.D. Drodie’ Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari; Italy.

Decrease of serotoninergic neuronal activity during ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

‘B.B. Brodie’ Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari; 1Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Sassari; Italy.

Sensitization to DA agonists induced by chronic imipramine and electroconvulsive shock

Dept. Neuroscience, University of Cagliari; 1Inst. Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Sassari; Italy.

Long lasting reduction of mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity after morphine withdrawal

‘B.B. Brodie’ Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari; 1Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Sassari; Italy.

Reduction of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity outlasts ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats

‘B.B. Brodie’ Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari; 1Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Sassari; Italy.

Electrophysiological findings in hypothyroidism : G.F. Sau, I. Aiello, G. Delitala, P. Tomasi, A. Licheri, S. Traccis, M. Pastorino, P. Balsamo, G. Rosati. Neurological Clinic, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy

Electrophysiological findings in hypothyroidism : G.F. Sau, I. Aiello, G. Delitala, P. Tomasi, A. Licheri, S. Traccis, M. Pastorino, P. Balsamo, G. Rosati. Neurological Clinic, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy

The Invisible Hand: Economic Equilibrium in the History of Science

This study of the fundamental theoretical underpinnings of modern economies examines how economists define and categorize the market. It suggests that modeling a social science such as economics on the physical/mathematical sciences has created intractable problems, and that the basic structure of the theory needs rethinking.A meticulously researched work in the field of mathematical economics and pure theory, Invisible Hand traces the evolution of general economic equilibrium theory in its rich interaction with the physical sciences over a period of more than 150 years. The authors discuss how the invisible hand that balances physical processes was inspiration and model for the creation of general economic equilibrium theory.Ingrao and Israel review fundamental concepts of the theory, showing how its early forms, strictly analogous to mechanical equilibrium, arose from the cultural atmosphere generated by Newtonianism and the French Enlightenment. They describe developments and changes in the theory from the work of Leon Walras and Vilfredo Pareto through restructuring by the Vienna group and John Von Neumann and the contributions of the Robbins group at the London School of Economics, to its current formulations in the work of Irving Fisher, Paul Samuelson, Kenneth Arrow, and Gerard Debreu.Concluding chapters survey the results obtained in attempts to deal with questions of the existence of equilibrium, its uniqueness, and the problem of global stability. Ingrao and Israel find that the theory has arrived at a dead end, which raises serious doubts about the internal consistency of the basic model.Bruna Ingrao is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Sassari and Giorgio Israel is Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Rome.

The center for advanced research in photobiology (CARP): A joint initiative of the European society for photobiology, the Italian society for photobiology and the University of Sassari

Today, October 16, 1990, Professor Antonio Milella (Rettore Magniflco of the University of Sassari), Professor Herbert Hiinigsmann (President of the European Society for Photobiology) and Professor Francesco Dall’Acqua (President of the Italian Society for Photobiology) met in the office of the Rector of the University of Sassari in order to formalize the foundation of a Center for Advanced Research in Photobiology (acronym, CARP). The centre is scientifically and technically supported by the University of Sassari, where it is hosted, as well as by the European and Italian Societies for Photobiology. The initiative is developed within a European framework of multidisciplinary cooperation, involving both basic and applied research in the field of photobiology, and also the training of investigators with expertise in photobiology. The three partners will undertake all possible actions to ensure that the CARP can begin operation as soon as possible. With this aim in mind, the University of Sassari will support the initiative by hosting the CARP on its existing site and sponsoring the incorporation of CARP into CO.RI.SA. (Consorzio Ricerche Sardegna), which is located at Tramariglio-Alghero and has established a specific agreement with the University of Sassari.

Static vestibulospinal influences on flexor carpi radialis motoneuron excitability in relation to lateral tilts in man: [formula omitted], G.F. Sau, S. Patraskakis, M. Bissakou, S. Traccis and G. Rosati (Neurological Clinic, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy)

Static vestibulospinal influences on flexor carpi radialis motoneuron excitability in relation to lateral tilts in man: [formula omitted], G.F. Sau, S. Patraskakis, M. Bissakou, S. Traccis and G. Rosati (Neurological Clinic, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy)

Reply

Annals of NeurologyVolume 20, Issue 4 p. 545-545 Letter Reply Enrico Granieri MD, Enrico Granieri MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorRosaria Tola MD, Rosaria Tola MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorEzio Paolino MD, Ezio Paolino MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorGiulio Rosati MD, Giulio Rosati MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorMirko Carreras MD, Mirko Carreras MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorV. Cinzia Monetti MD, V. Cinzia Monetti MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this author Enrico Granieri MD, Enrico Granieri MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorRosaria Tola MD, Rosaria Tola MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorEzio Paolino MD, Ezio Paolino MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorGiulio Rosati MD, Giulio Rosati MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Sassari, Sassari, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorMirko Carreras MD, Mirko Carreras MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this authorV. Cinzia Monetti MD, V. Cinzia Monetti MD Neurological Clinic of the University of Ferrara, FerraraSearch for more papers by this author First published: October 1986 https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.410200422AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume20, Issue4October 1986Pages 545-545 RelatedInformation

Critical vitamins for low birthweight infants.

All vitamins are "critical" by definition for the growing infant. However, some of them are particularly relevant to the preterm or low birthweight (LBW) infant in whom a deficiency can occur more frequently than in a full-term newborn. In LBW infants vitamin deficiency may develop due to (1) low body stores at birth, (2) low intake, (3) limited absorption, (4) increased need or utilization, (5) presence of certain clinical conditions. The first reason concerns all lipid-soluble vitamins, and particularly vitamin E and K, which cross the placenta with some difficulty. Among hydrosoluble vitamins, cord-blood levels of vitamin B6 have been shown to be abnormally low in preterm infants. Low intake can occur because of low vitamin levels in milk or because of delayed and/or insufficient feeding. Limited intestinal absorption of vitamins in LBW infants has only been demonstrated for vitamin E and folic acid. The rapid post-natal growth may lead to increased vitamin utilization. In some clinical conditions particularly high intakes of certain vitamins are indicated. In our opinion, the really "critical" vitamins in LBW infants are vitamin D, E, K and folic acid, for which routine supplementation can be recommended, and possibly vitamins C and B6 under special circumstances.

EFFECT OF CLOMIPHENE ON RELEASE OF PROLACTIN INDUCED BY MECHANICAL BREAST EMPTYING IN WOMEN POST PARTUM

Cattedra di Semeiotica Medica 2 a and *Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100 Sassari, Italy (Received 21 March 1977) Recent evidence suggests that antioestrogens may interfere with secretion of prolactin. Tamoxifen inhibits oestrogen-induced release of prolactin in rats (Jordan, Koerner & Robison, 1975); furthermore, reduced levels of prolactin during fasting and blunted responses to synthetic thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) have been reported in women with breast cancer undergoing treatment with tamoxifen (Willis, London & Butt, 1976). Another antioestrogen, clomiphene citrate, has been used with appreciable results to inhibit puerperal lactation (Zuckerman & Carmel, 1973; Weinstein, Ben-David & Polishuk, 1976), but it has no effect on the release of prolactin in normal man during fasting or hypoglycaemia, or after stimulation with synthetic TRH or sulpiride (Thomer, Besser, Hagen & McNeilly, 1974). We investigated the effect of clomiphene on the release of prolactin induced by mechanical

STUDIES ON DARK ADAPTATION IN MILITARY PERSONNEL COMPLAINING OF "NIGHT BLINDNESS"

A FAIRLY common complaint of patients seen by the ophthalmologic service in the theater of operation is poor night vision. It constitutes a considerable problem both from a diagnostic and from a therapeutic standpoint. During the summer of 1944 my associates and I carried out a study of a group of United States soldiers under the direction of Major Trygve Gunderson, ophthalmologic consultant for the armed forces of the United States in the Mediterranean Theater. At this time we were fortunate to have placed at our disposal the equipment of the department of ophthalmology of the University of Rome, and generous help was given by staff members, especially Prof. Giambattista Bietti, on leave from the University of Sassari, Sardinia. The following paper is a report of the observations on this group. METHOD All patients were given a careful ophthalmologic examination, including determination of visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, funduscopic study, examination

News and Comment

<h3>UNIVERSITY NEWS</h3> Privatdozent Dr. Otto Ulrich of the University of Munich has been made director of the Kaiserin Auguste-Victoria-Haus in Charlottenburg with the title of Extraordinary (Associate) Professor. Dr. Albrecht Peiper of the University of Berlin has been made director of the Pediatric Clinic at the University of Bonn. Dr. Völkers has been appointed chief physician in the Children's Hospital in Gelsenkirchen. Dr. Boucomont has been made chief of the pediatric clinic, and Dr. Cabanac head of the orthopedic clinic, in the faculty of medicine of Montpellier. Dr. G. Salvioli has been given the chair of pediatrics at the University of Siena. Dr. L. Auricchio has accepted the chair of pediatrics at the University of Sassari. Dr. G. Mouriquand, chief of the pediatric clinic of the University of Lyon, has been named the corresponding member of medicine, Academy of Medicine of France. <h3>GENERAL</h3> <b>Postgraduate Courses in Pediatrics.</b>—The usual courses