Functional Characterization of the Left Ventrolateral Premotor Cortex in Humans: A Direct Electrophysiological Approach.

In monkeys, motor outputs from premotor cortex (PM) involve cortico-cortical connections with primary motor cortex (M1). However, in humans, the functional organization of PM and its relationship with the corticospinal tract (CST) is still uncertain. This study was carried out in 21 patients undergoing intraoperative brain mapping prior to tumor resection. The left ventrolateral premotor cortex (vlPM-BA6) was identified preoperatively by functional magnetic resonance imaging, and then investigated intraoperatively using high frequency direct electrical stimulation (HF-DES) of the convexity of M1 and vlPM-BA6, with simultaneous recording of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) from oro-facial, hand and arm muscles. The somatotopy, organization of evoked responses, latency of MEPs, and cortical excitability of vlPM-BA6 were compared with reference data from M1. vlPM-BA6 was found to be less excitable, with significantly longer MEP latencies than M1. In addition to the pure oro-facial and hand-arm muscle representation, a "transition oro-hand zone" was identified in vlPM-BA6. The longer latency of vlPM-BA6 MEPs suggests that human vlPM could act on spinal motoneurons either directly through more slowly conducting CST fibers or via less direct pathways through M1, brainstem, or spinal mechanisms. The results help in disclosing the very different roles of vlPM and M1 in motor control.

Dissecting the prognostic signature of patients with astrocytoma isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant grade 4: a large multicenter, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors classified astrocytoma isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant (A IDHm) with either microvascular proliferation and/or necrosis or homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/B as CNS grade 4 (CNS WHO G4), introducing a distinct entity and posing new challenges to physicians for appropriate management and prognostication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected information about patients diagnosed with A IDHm CNS WHO G4 at three reference neuro-oncological Italian centers and correlated them with survival. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were included. Patients were young (median age 41 years) and most received post-operative treatment including chemo-radiation (n = 101) and/or temozolomide maintenance (n = 112). With a median follow-up of 51 months, the median overall survival (mOS) was 31.2 months, with a 5-year survival probability of 26%. In the univariate analysis, complete resection (mOS: 40.2 versus 26.3 months, P = 0.03), methyl-guaninemethyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation (mOS: 40.7 versus 18 months, P = 0.0136), and absence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation (mOS: 40.7 versus 18 months, P = 0.0003) correlated with better prognosis. In the multivariate models, lack of TERT promoter mutation [hazard ratio (HR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.82, P = 0.024] and MGMT methylation (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20-0.81, P = 0.01) remained associated with improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest experience in Western countries exploring the prognostic signature of patients with A IDHm CNS G4. Our results show that MGMT promoter methylation and TERT promoter mutation may impact clinical outcomes. This may support physicians in prognostication, clinical management, and design of future studies of this distinct diagnostic entity.

The soy phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein as neuroprotective agents against anoxia-glucopenia and reperfusion damage in rat urinary bladder.

Some bladder disorders, such as obstructive bladder and hyperactivity, may be caused partly by ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). The neuroprotective effects of estrogens were demonstrated in in vitro studies and a great interest in soy isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) as alternative to the synthetic estrogen receptor modulators for therapeutic use has been pointed out. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of genistein and daidzein, on rat detrusor smooth muscle contractility and their possible neuroprotective role against I/R-like condition. Whole rat urinary bladders were subjected to in vitro anoxia-glucopenia (A-G) and reperfusion (R) in the absence or presence of drugs and response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of intrinsic nerves evaluated. Furthermore rats were treated in vivo for 1 week with the phytoestrogens and the same in vitro protocol was applied to the ex vivo bladders. Antioxidant activity of genistein and daidzein on the A-G/R model was determined by measuring malonyldialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, hormones plasma levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Genistein and daidzein administered either in vitro or in vivo showed significant neuroprotective effect and antioxidant activity. Testosterone and 17ß-estradiol plasma levels were not modified by daidzein, while a significant decrease of testosterone in genistein treated rats was evident. Moreover both phytoestrogens significantly decreased detrusor contractions induced by EFS in a concentration-dependent manner. For being either neuroprotective and myorelaxant, genistein and daidzein could be considered a good lead for new therapeutic agents to protect the urinary bladder from hyperactivity and nerve damage.

Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: considerations in a series of 103 patients older than 70.

AIM: Mortality and morbidity due to brain injury in the elderly population is a growing clinical problem: among older patients, those >70 years have a considerably higher risk both in terms of mortality and morbidity. Thereafter, the reasons influencing outcome have not been clearly examined: in the present study we addressed these questions considering the main clinical characteristics exerting a significant impact on the outcome of patients aged > 70, with emphasis for the severity of brain injury and anticoagulant (CAW) treatments. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 103 consecutive isolated head injury patients older than 70, admitted at our Department in the period November 2004-November 2009. The clinical variables considered were as follow: age, sex, type of TBI, GCS, pre-TBI use of anti-coagulants (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel), INR at admission (INR values were subdivided in values >1.25 as at risk for hemorrhagic events and <1.25 as normal), initial CT scan classification looking at the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (t-SAH) or mass lesions; the main outcome measure was the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS: The most frequent cause of TBI was accidental fall (65%): 39 were in CAW therapies and in 36 cases the cause of falling down injury was recorded due to a sincopal event (arterial hypotension, atrial fibrillation); in the older patients an accidental fall is significantly related to the TBI, while in the patients aged 70-75 years, TBI is related to a traffic accident (P=0.002). Moreover the cause of TBI correlates with the CAW treatment, the accidental fall being significantly more frequent in patients in CAW treatment (P=0.003). Overall mortality rate is significantly related to an elevated INR class, to presence of t-SAH (16/50 patients) and subdural hematoma (26/46). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that in a population of patients aged > 70, TBI is a high risk event if patient has concurrent treatment with CAW therapies and if an accidental fall is the cause of TBI. In these cases the finding of t-SAH represents a high-risk parameter for mortality but not for morbidity.

Relationship between intrathecal baclofen and the central nervous system.

The GABA(B) receptor agonists display a number of pharmacological effects including central muscle relaxation, decreased self-administration of cocaine and narcotic drugs, antinociception, cognitive impairment as well as enhancement of synaptic plasticity. The main relationships between intrathecal or intracerebral baclofen and the Central Nervous System (CNS) are reviewed with particular attention to actions on pain, epilepsy and basal ganglia regulation. Since baclofen may be involved in synaptic plasticity and the development of neuronal pathways, the main issues of this field are reviewed with particular attention to the effects of baclofen on the developing brain. The role of baclofen in the regulation of movement has not been clearly understood, but recent findings support its important involvement in globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus. The neuroprotective action of baclofen in cerebral ischemia is a matter of debate. The effects of baclofen in cognition and attention are another important issue because patients with chronic intrathecal baclofen (ITB) administration often present with impairment of cognitive functions. Drug craving and its improvement after baclofen administration is also reviewed. Finally, the clinically interesting results on the regulation of food intake and blood pressure are highlighted. The preliminary experience on the effects in cortical neuron viability at different concentrations of ITB is reported.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the physiologic behaviour of a human astrocytoma cell line.

We evaluated the effects of 50 Hz pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a peak magnetic field of 3 mT on human astrocytoma cells. Our results clearly demonstrate that, after the cells were exposed to EMFs for 24 h, the basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels increased significantly from 124+/-51 nM to 200+/-79 nM. Pretreatment of the cells with 1.2 microM substance P increased the [Ca(2+)](i) to 555+/-278 nM, while EMF exposure caused a significant drop in [Ca(2+)](i) to 327+/-146 nM. The overall effect of EMFs probably depends on the prevailing Ca(2+) conditions of the cells. After exposure, the proliferative responses of both normal and substance P-pretreated cells increased slightly from 1.03 to 1.07 and 1.04 to 1.06, respectively. U-373 MG cells spontaneously released about 10 pg/ml of interleukin-6 which was significantly increased after the addition of substance P. Moreover, immediately after EMF exposure and 24 h thereafter, the interleukin-6 levels were more elevated (about 40%) than in controls. On the whole, our data suggest that, by changing the properties of cell membranes, EMFs can influence Ca(2+) transport processes and hence Ca(2+) homeostasis. The increased levels of interleukin-6 after 24 h of EMF exposure may confirm the complex connection between Ca(2+) levels, substance P and the cytokine network.

3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) activation of rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase.

3,5-Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) increased in a concentration-dependent manner (calculated pEC(50) = 4.55 +/- 0.18 M) the oxalate-stimulated Ca(2+)-pumping rate of rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. Kinetic analysis of this effect suggested that the activation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase operated by (DTBHA) was of both mixed and non-competitive type with respect to ATP in the range of concentrations 0.1-0.5 mM and above 1 mM, respectively; furthermore, it was independent of the free Ca(2+) concentrations. This indicated that the enzyme activation took place through the acceleration of the enzyme-substrate complex breakdown. Moreover, it appeared that its target site was cyclopiazonic acid sensitive. The uncommon ability of (DTBHA) to upregulate SR Ca(2+) uptake is of interest in view of its possible use for treating pathological conditions characterised by cell Ca(2+) overload as well as genetic disorders where SR Ca(2+) homeostasis is altered.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide protects guinea-pig detrusor nerves from anoxia/glucopenia injury.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was tested for its capability to protect the intrinsic nerves of guinea-pig urinary bladder from damage due to anoxia/glucopenia and reperfusion. Guinea-pig detrusor strips were mounted for tension recording in small organ baths and the nerves were subjected to electric field stimulation. VIP (0.3 microM) improved significantly the response of strips to electrical field stimulation either during anoxia/glucopenia or thereafter during reperfusion, as compared to untreated tissues. The antioxidant activity of VIP assessed as its capability to scavenge peroxyl radicals during linoleic acid oxidation corresponded to 6.42+/-0.13 pIC(50) M, i.e. close to the concentration proved to protect strips against the anoxic--glucopenic and reperfusion damage.

On the mechanisms of the antispasmodic action of some hindered phenols in rat aorta rings.

The antispasmodic effects of 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and some structurally related compounds were investigated in endothelium-intact rat aorta rings. Nordihydroguaieretic acid (NDGA), BHA, 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA), 2,6-di-isopropyl phenol (propofol) and 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-t-butyl-5, 5'-dimethoxydiphenyl (DIBHA) did not cause relaxation when added at the plateau of phenylephrine-evoked contraction, nor did they affect the concentration-relaxation curve for acetylcholine in precontracted rings. In rings depolarised with physiological salt solution (PSS) containing 40 mM K(+), NDGA, BHA, DTBHA, 2, 5-di-t-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone (BHQ), propofol and nifedipine, but not DIBHA, inhibited the contraction induced by cumulative addition of Ca(2+) (0.05-10 mM) in a concentration-dependent manner; this inhibition was inversely related to the Ca(2+) concentration. In 40 mM K(+) PSS, 25 nM nifedipine blocked the 1 mM Ca(2+)-induced contraction, whereas 50 microM DTBHA, NDGA, BHA, BHQ and propofol significantly antagonised it by 84.4%, 73.0%, 52.8%, 45.6% and 35.7%, respectively. In the presence of 1 microM methyl-1,4-dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay K 8644), the response to Ca(2+) did not differ from control values with nifedipine and BHQ, was partially restored with DTBHA and NDGA, and was not affected with BHA and propofol. Nifedipine markedly inhibited (85.2%) the Ba(2+)-induced contraction and this effect was totally reversed by Bay K 8644. BHA and DTBHA showed antispasmodic activity (45.3% and 43.1%, respectively) which was partly reversed by Bay K 8644. In contrast, Bay K 8644 did not affect the inhibition exerted by BHQ, NDGA and propofol (69.5%, 53. 3% and 46.1%, respectively). Nifedipine, BHA, DTBHA, propofol and NDGA inhibited the contractile response to 1 mM Ca(2+) of aorta rings depolarised with 40 or 80 mM K(+) PSS to a similar extent. Cromakalim inhibited the Ca(2+)-evoked contraction only in 30 mM K(+) PSS and BHQ only in 80 mM K(+) PSS. DIBHA had no effect on this model. Cromakalim, but not BHA, stimulated 86Rb(+) efflux from ring preparations. In 80 mM K(+) PSS containing 1 microM nifedipine, only papaverine affected the phenylephrine-induced contraction. Moreover, when the rings were preincubated with 1 mM Ni(2+), the response to phenylephrine in the presence of BHQ was significantly reduced. In conclusion, we propose that BHA may non-specifically inhibit Ca(2+) influx at the plasmalemma level rather than affect the function of K(+) channels, Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores or endothelium-dependent relaxation.

Cytochrome P450-dependent N-dealkylation of L-deprenyl in C57BL mouse liver microsomes: effects of in vivo pretreatment with ethanol, phenobarbital, beta-naphthoflavone and L-deprenyl.

The monoamine oxidase inhibitor L-deprenyl [(-)-deprenyl, selegiline] is an effective therapeutic agent for improving early symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. It appears to exert this action independently of its inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and some of its metabolites are thought to contribute. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities are known to give rise to L-deprenyl metabolites that may affect the dopaminergic system. In order to clarify the interactions of L-deprenyl with these enzymes, C57BL mice were treated with L-deprenyl, ethanol, phenobarbital or beta-naphthoflavone to induce different CYP isozymes. After preincubation of L-deprenyl with liver microsomes from control or treated mice, the metabolites were analysed by a GLC method. L-deprenyl (10 mg/kg i.p. for 3 days) caused a significant decrease in total CYP levels (0.315+/-0.019, L-deprenyl; 0.786+/-0.124, control, nmol/mg protein) and CYP2E1-associated p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity (0.92+/-0.04 vs. 1.17+/-0.06 nmol/min/mg). Both phenobarbital and ethanol increased the N-depropynylation activity towards L-deprenyl that leads to the formation of methamphetamine (4. 11+/-0.64, phenobarbital; 4.77+/-1.15, ethanol; 1.77+/-0.34, control, nmol/min/mg). Ethanol alone increased the N-demethylation rate of L-deprenyl, that results in formation of nordeprenyl (3.99+/-0.68, ethanol; 1.41+/-0.31, control, nmol/min/mg). Moreover, the N-dealkylation pathways of deprenyl are inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole and disulfiram, two CYP2E1 inhibitors. None of the other treatments modified L-deprenyl metabolism. These findings indicate that mainly CYP2E1 and to a lesser extent CYP2B isozymes are involved in L-deprenyl metabolism. They also suggest that, by reducing CYP content, L-deprenyl treatment may impair the metabolic disposition of other drugs given in combination regimens.

Neuroprotection afforded by some hindered phenols and alpha-tocopherol in guinea-pig detrusor strips subjected to anoxia-glucopenia and reperfusion-like conditions.

2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA), 3,5-di-t-butyl-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA), 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol), alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOC) and two newly synthesised analogues of BHA, namely 1-O-(4-hydroxy-3-t-butyl)phenyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (beta-TAG) and 1-O-(4-hydroxy-3-t-butyl)phenyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (beta-GLU), were tested for their capability to protect the intrinsic nerves of guinea-pig urinary bladder from damage due to anoxia-glucopenia and re-exposure to glucose and O2. Guinea-pig detrusor strips were mounted for tension recording in small organ baths, superfused with warmed Krebs solution and the nerves stimulated electrically either under control or ischaemia-like (anoxia-glucopenia) and reperfusion-like conditions (normal medium re-superfusion). The Ca2+ antagonist activity of the compounds was assessed by their effect on the contraction of detrusor strips induced by 60 mM K+ Krebs solution in the presence of either 0.5 mM or 5 mM Ca2+. The antioxidant activity was illustrated by the ability of the compounds to scavenge peroxyl radicals generated by linoleic acid oxidation. All the compounds, except beta-GLU and alpha-TOC, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner K+-induced contractions of detrusor muscles, the inhibition being inversely related to the Ca2+ concentration of the perfusion solution; moreover, they exhibited a marked antiperoxidant activity with pIC50 values decreasing in the order: DTBHA > alpha-TOC > BHA > beta-TAG > propofol > beta-GLU. alpha-TOC, BHA, DTBHA and beta-TAG improved significantly the response of the strips to electrical field stimulation either during the anoxia-glucopenia phase or thereafter when recovering during reperfusion, as compared to untreated tissues. The neuroprotection afforded by the phenol derivatives as well as by alpha-TOC was positively correlated to their antioxidant activity, but not to their Ca2+ antagonist activity.

Mechanical response to electrical field stimulation of rat, guinea-pig, monkey and human detrusor muscle: a comparative study.

The aim of the present investigation was to compare mechanical responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS), as well as cholinergic and non-adrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission in guinea-pig, rat, monkey and human detrusor muscle strips. Responses to EFS (0.05, 0.5 and 1 ms pulse duration, 50 V, 1-15 Hz) of guinea-pig, rat, monkey and human detrusor muscle strips were recorded isometrically before and after blockade of muscarinic receptors and/or P2-purinoreceptors, as well as after desensitisation of P2-purinoceptors or blockade of the nerve impulse propagation. Single pulses of 0.05 ms duration elicited responses, in either guinea-pig or rat detrusor strips, which were abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX), thus suggesting their neurogenic nature. In monkey and human detrusor strips, however, the same single pulses were not sufficient to generate contractile responses. The response of either rat or guinea-pig strips to single pulses of 0.5 ms and 1 ms duration was mainly myogenic in nature. While in rat and guinea-pig strips the neurogenic response was only partly reduced in the presence of atropine, in monkey and human strips it was abolished. In the presence of atropine, while suramin only partially reduced the EFS response either in rat or guinea-pig detrusor strips, a complete alpha,beta-methyleneATP-sensitive response was evident in guinea-pig detrusor strips. This suggests the involvement of other transmitter(s) beyond ATP in the NANC response of rat detrusor strips.

Protection of intrinsic nerves of guinea-pig detrusor strips against anoxia/glucopenia and reperfusion injury by taurine.

There is ample evidence that ischaemia is associated with partial denervation of the detrusor muscle and that this is responsible for much of its abnormal contractile behaviour, resulting in bladder dysfunction (instability). In guinea-pig nerves are very susceptible to the ischaemic damage as compared to the muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to assess the neuroprotection afforded by taurine on guinea-pig detrusor under ischaemic-like conditions. Guinea-pig detrusor strips were subjected for 60 min to ischaemic-like conditions, followed by 150 min reperfusion. Intrinsic nerves underwent every 30 min electrical field stimulation (EFS) by 5-s trains of square voltage pulses of 0.05 ms duration (15 Hz, 50 V). Detrusor strips were perfused with 0.1, 1, 3 or 10 mM taurine during the ischaemia-like exposure and the first 30 min of reperfusion. Taurine (1 and 3 mM) significantly improved the response of the strips to EFS both at the end of ischaemia and reperfusion. On the contrary, neither 0.1 nor 10 mM taurine had significant effects. It is concluded that taurine can partially counteract the ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the guinea-pig urinary bladder.

Hypoxia induces cell damage via oxidative stress in retinal epithelial cells.

Retinal diseases (RD), including diabetic retinopathy, are among the most important eye diseases in industrialized countries. RD is characterized by abnormal angiogenesis associated with an increase in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Hypoxia could be one of the triggers of the pathogenic mechanism of this disease. A key regulatory component of the cell's hypoxia response system is hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). It has been demonstrated that the induction of HIF-1α expression can be also achieved in vitro by exposure with cobalt chloride (CoCl2), leading to an intracellular hypoxia-like state. In this study we have investigated the effects of CoCl2 on human retinal epithelium cells (hRPE), which are an integral part of the blood-retinal barrier, with the aim to determine the possible role of oxidative stress in chemical hypoxia-induced damage in retinal epithelial cells. Our data showed that CoCl2 treatment is able to induce HIF-1α expression, that parallels with the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the increase of lipid 8-isoprostanes and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein adducts levels. In addition we observed the activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkB) by CoCl2 which can explain the increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The increased number of dead cells seems to be related to an apoptotic process. Taken together these evidences suggest that oxidative stress induced by hypoxia might be involved in RD development through the stimulation of two key-events of RD such as neo-angiogenesis and apoptosis.

Resveratrol protects SR-B1 levels in keratinocytes exposed to cigarette smoke.

Cigarette smoking (CS) has been strongly linked to several health conditions including heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory and circulatory ailments. Deleterious effects of cigarette smoking on skin have also been well documented, but unlike effects on other organs, damage does not depend upon inhalation. The upper layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (rich in cholesterol fatty acids and ceramide), is very susceptible to damage induced by exposure to environmental stressors that can modify its lipid composition and thereby affect its function of protecting skin from dehydration. Scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) is involved in the uptake of cholesterol in several tissues including skin. We previously demonstrated that CS exposure induces formation of aldehyde (HNE) adducts that decrease SR-B1 expression. As topical resveratrol, a well-known polyphenolic stilbene, has been demonstrated to show benefits against skin disorders, we investigated its possible role as a protective agent against CS-induced reduction of SR-B1 expression in cutaneous tissue. In this study, we demonstrate that resveratrol at doses ranging from 0.5 to 10 µM is not toxic and is able to increase SR-B1 protein levels in a dose-dependent manner in human keratinocytes. Moreover, when the cells that were pretreated with various doses of resveratrol were exposed to CS, the loss of SR-B1 was prevented in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, in keratinocytes, resveratrol was also able to prevent an increase in HNE-protein adducts induced by CS. In particular resveratrol was able to prevent HNE-SR-B1 adduct formation. Thus, resveratrol seems to be a natural compound that could provide skin with a defense against exogenous stressors by protecting the essential cholesterol receptor, SR-B1.

Treatment of experimental esophagogastric myotomy with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 15 years, many studies demonstrated the myogenic regenerative potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), making them an attractive tool for the regeneration of damaged tissues. In this study, we have developed an animal model of esophagogastric myotomy (MY) aimed at determining the role of autologous MSC in the regeneration of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) after surgery. METHODS: Syngeneic BM-MSC were locally injected at the site of MY. Histological and functional analysis were performed to evaluate muscle regeneration, contractive capacity, and the presence of green fluorescent protein-positive BM-MSC (BM-MSC-GFP(+) ) in the damaged area at different time points from implantation. KEY RESULTS: Treatment with syngeneic BM-MSC improved muscle regeneration and increased contractile function of damaged LES. Transplanted BM-MSC-GFP(+) remained on site up to 30 days post injection. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that MSC maintain their phenotype and no differentiation toward smooth or striated muscle was shown at any time point. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our data support the use of autologous BM-MSC to both improve sphincter regeneration of LES and to control the gastro-esophageal reflux after MY.

The effect of anoxia and glucose-free solutions on the contractile response of guinea-pig detrusor strips to intrinsic nerve stimulation and the application of excitatory agonists.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of anoxia and substrate depletion, both separately and combined, on the contractile responses of guinea-pig detrusor smooth muscle strips to activation of intrinsic nerves, application of agonists and depolarization with high potassium solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladders were opened and the urothelium removed. Strips of detrusor were dissected and mounted for tension recording in small organ baths superfused with warmed solutions of known composition. RESULTS: Anoxia caused a small initial reduction of the contractile responses which then remained constant for several hours. Glucose-free solutions resulted in a slow progressive decline in the responses to field stimulation, carbachol and high potassium solution, with substantial responses still present after five hours. The response to ATP, however, was unaffected. Removal of oxygen and glucose, mimicking ischaemia, caused abolition of all responses within an hour. After reintroduction of normal conditions responses reached their maximal extent of recovery within an hour. Recovery was almost complete for responses to ATP and carbachol, but less so for high K+ solutions. Very little recovery to stimulation of intrinsic nerves was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that phasic contractions can be fuelled almost fully by oxidative phosphorylation or by anaerobic glycolysis, but that in conditions mimicking ischaemia the intrinsic nerves are more susceptible to ischaemic damage than the detrusor smooth muscle.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields affect the intracellular calcium concentrations in human astrocytoma cells.

Experiments assessed whether long term exposure to 50 Hz pulsed electromagnetic fields with a peak magnetic field of 3 mT can alter the dynamics of intracellular calcium in human astrocytoma U-373 MG cells. Pretreatment of cells with 1.2 microM substance P significantly increased the [Ca(2+)](i). The same effect was also observed when [Ca(2+)](i) was evaluated in the presence of 20 mM caffeine. After exposure to electromagnetic fields the basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels increased significantly from 143 +/- 46 nM to 278 +/- 125 nM. The increase was also evident after caffeine addition, but in cells treated with substance P and substance P + caffeine we observed a [Ca(2+)](i) decrease after exposure. When we substituted calcium-free medium for normal medium immediately before the [Ca(2+)](i) measurements, the [Ca(2+)](i) was similar to that measured in the presence of Ca(2+). In this case, after EMFs exposure of cells treated with substance P, the [Ca(2+)](i), measured without and with addition of caffeine, declined from 824 +/- 425 to 38 +/- 13 nM and from 1369 +/- 700 to 11 +/- 4 nM, respectively, indicating that electromagnetic fields act either on intracellular Ca(2+) stores or on the plasma membrane. Moreover the electromagnetic fields that affected [Ca(2+)](i) did not cause cell proliferation or cell death and the proliferation indexes remained unchanged after exposure.