Salvatore Giuffrida

Memory disturbances in migraine with and without aura: a strategy problem?

Cognitive defects in migraine have been reported by several authors. These findings however, are controversial. In this study we carried out an investigation on 14 patients with migraine with aura and 16 with migraine without aura according to the International Headache Society criteria. They were submitted to a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. The patients were compared with a control group not significantly different as to age, sex and education. Migraine subjects showed impaired neuropsychological performances only on some cognitive tests. Both groups of patients did worse than the control group on visuo‐spatial memory tasks, while only migraineurs without aura showed significantly impaired verbal memory performances. The memory defects, both on visuo‐spatial and on verbal cognitive tasks, could depend on an impaired recall mechanism. These memory difficulties seem related to strategically and organizationally defective aspects of learning.

Determination of superoxide dismutase-like activity of copper(II) complexes. Relevance of the speciation for the correct interpretation of in vitro O2- scavenger activity.

The superoxide dismutase activity of several copper(II) complexes of linear and cyclic dipeptides has been measured. The results of a classic indirect method (xanthine-xanthine oxidase) have been compared with those obtained by generation of the superoxide radical through 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (ketoprofen) photolysis. A simulation approach, based on the knowledge of the stability constants of the different complex species existing in experimental conditions, has allowed us to obtain the correct speciation and to use these data to calculate the pertinent catalytic constants.

Supratentorial atrophy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2: MRI study of 20 patients

Abstract There have been only few studies of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 2. We investigated 20 SCA2 patients, from 11 Sicilian families, and 20 age-matched control subjects using MRI. Our data confirm that olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is the typical pattern in SCA2. We found no significant correlation between infratentorial atrophy, disease duration, or the number of CAG repeats in our SCA2 patients, but there was supratentorial atrophy in 12 patients, with a significant correlation between supratentorial atrophy and disease duration. OPCA appears to represent the “core” of the SCA2: however, central nervous system involvement is not limited to pontocerebellar structures. We therefore consider central nervous system degeneration in SCA2 as a widespread atrophy. MRI is helpful in diagnosing SCA, but it is not diagnostic in the absence of clinical and molecular studies. We suggest that serial MRI may play a role in evaluating “in vivo” the progressive steps of neurodegeneration in SCA2, for a better comprehension of the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Cognitive findings in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2: relationship to genetic and clinical variables.

Several authors have recently reported a broad cognitive impairment in autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) patients. However, only a few studies on neuropsychological features in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) patients are present in the current literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cognitive impairment in a wide sample of SCA2 patients and to verify the role of different disease-related factors (age of onset, disease duration, and clinical severity) on intellectual abilities. We administered a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing handedness, attention, short- and long-term verbal and visuo-spatial memory, executive functions, constructive abilities, general intellectual abilities and depression to 18 SCA2 patients belonging to eight families who came to our observation. Evidence of impaired verbal memory, executive functions and attention was found. The cognitive status was partially related to clinical severity rather than to disease duration or age at onset of symptoms. We partially confirmed data on cognitive defects already reported by others but we also found defective attention skills as well as significant lower performances in a nonverbal intelligence task.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 in southern Italy : a clinical and molecular study of 30 families

Abstract Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type I is the most common form of dominant ataxia. A genetic heterogeneity has been identified with five different loci (SCA1, 2, 3, 4, and 6). A pathological expansion of a CAG sequence has been identified in SCA1, 2, 3, and 6. We performed molecular analysis in 51 families with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type I, mainly originating from southern Italy and Sicily. Thirty families carry an expanded CAG sequence within SCA2 gene. The mean number of repeats was 39.9 ± 3.3 in 85 expanded alleles, with a range of 34–52. The number of triplets was inversely correlated with age at onset and explained 76% of the variance. The best fit was obtained with an exponential relationship between variables. Expanded alleles were unstable when transmitted from parents to offspring. Expansions were more common than contractions, accounting for 59% of the total meioses and for 80% of the father-child transmissions. The mean intergenerational variation was 1.9 repeats (range –3 to +15) with higher values for male transmissions. Bulbar and autonomic signs were related to disease duration, pyramidal signs to CAG size, cerebellar features and peripheral neuropathy to both. Among the remaining 21 families, three carried the SCA1 and one the SCA6 mutation. This study suggests that SCA2 is the prevalent mutation in southern Italy.

pH Effects on the Spectroscopic and Photochemical Behavior of Enoxacin: A Steady-State and Time-Resolved Study

The spectroscopic and photochemical behavior of Enoxacin (ENX), 1‐ethyl‐6‐fluoro‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐7‐(1‐piperazinyl)‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐3‐carboxylic acid, has been investigated in aqueous solutions between pH 3.5 and pH 12. The absorption and emission properties of ENX are strongly affected by pH. The fluorescence quantum yield, 4 x 10−3 at pH 3.5, increases by a factor of two on going to neutral pH while a strong reduction is observed at alkaline pH. The photodegradation quantum yield also depends on pH, being maximum in neutral conditions (ca 0.04). Nanosecond flash photolysis experiments confirm that the yield of absorbing transients is maximum at neutral pH while it decreases to zero at acid and alkaline pH. These results indicate that both the dissociation of the carboxylic group and the protonation of the piperazinyl residues are key steps for the formation of the photochemically active form of ENX. Loss of F− by heterolytic cleavage of the C–F bond is proposed to occur from the triplet state of the zwitterion with formation of a carbocation. A path for the evolution of this intermediate to the final product is also proposed.

A single photochemical route for the formation of both copper nanoparticles and patterned nanostructured films

Nanometer-sized copper metal can be formed by UV irradiation of ethanol bis(2,4-pentanedionate)copper(II) solutions: simple tuning of the irradiation conditions switches the process from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation, and promotes the formation of either colloidal powders or nanostructured films.

The Photochemistry of Flutamide and its Inclusion Complex with β-Cyclodextrin. Dramatic Effect of the Microenvironment on the Nature and on the Efficiency of the Photodegradation Pathways¶

Abstract The photochemistry of the anticancer drug flutamide (FM), 2-methyl-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-amide, in homogeneous media and in the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) cavity has been investigated. The photoreactivity of the free molecule has been rationalized on the basis of an intramolecular nitro to nitrite rearrangement followed by cleavage of the nitrite intermediate. The twisted geometry of the nitro group with respect to the aromatic plane plays a key role in triggering such a photoprocess. Incorporation of FM in the β-CD cavity leads to dramatic effects on both the efficiency and the nature of the photochemical deactivation pathways of the guest molecule. A 20-fold increase in the FM photodecomposition quantum yield and the formation of photoproducts originated by both reduction of the nitro group and cleavage of the amide bond were observed in the presence of the macrocycle. Such a behavior cannot be attributed exclusively to the micropolarity of β-CD and/or to its role as a reactant. The induced circular dichroism spectra and the nature of the photoproducts formed in these experimental conditions provide indications that the photoreactivity in the β-CD microenvironment could likely be mediated by structural changes of FM upon complexation.

Isolated, unilateral, reversible palsy of the hypoglossal nerve

We report three patients with isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy who experienced an excellent outcome. In two patients no cause was found.

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization 5. Photohemolysis sensitized by Suprofen

Red blood cell lysis photosensitized by Suprofen (SPF) and the photolysis of the drug were investigated. The photohemolysis process occurs at a higher rate in anaerobic than aerobic conditions. The effect of additives demonstrates the involvement of free radicals and, to a lesser extent, singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals in the process. Photolysis of the drug at 310-390 nm in deaerated buffered solutions (pH 7.4) leads to a decarboxylation process with the formation of p-ethylphenyl 2-thienyl ketone (I), whereas in aerated solutions formation of photoproduct I and of the photoproducts p-acetylphenyl 2-thienyl ketone (II) and p-(1-hydroxyethyl)phenyl-2-thienyl ketone (III) occurs. The photodegradation products, which were separated and characterized, show a moderate lytic and photolytic activity. The rate of SPF photodegradation decreases in the presence of oxygen and increases in the presence of hydrogen donors. The overall results lead us to propose a mechanism of SPF photodegradation and a hemolysis scheme in which cell damage is provoked principally by the direct attack of drug radicals and secondarily by singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals.