Human muscle satellite cells show age-related differential expression of S100B protein and RAGE.

During aging, skeletal muscles show reduced mass and functional capacity largely due to loss of the regenerative ability of satellite cells (SCs), the quiescent stem cells located beneath the basal lamina surrounding each myofiber. While both the external environment and intrinsic properties of SCs appear to contribute to the age-related SC deficiency, the latter ones have been poorly investigated especially in humans. In the present work, we analyzed several parameters of SCs derived from biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle from healthy non-trained young (28.

Effects of local vibrations on skeletal muscle trophism in elderly people: mechanical, cellular, and molecular events.

Several studies have examined the effects of vibrations on muscle mass and performance in young healthy people. We studied the effects of vibrations on muscles of elderly male and female volunteers (65-85 years of age) diagnosed with sarcopenia. We applied mechanical vibrations locally (local vibrational training) to the thigh muscles at 300 Hz for a period of 12 weeks, starting with a session of 15 min stimulation once a week and increasing to three sessions of 15 min per week.

Functional characterization of muscle fibres from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: case-control study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling condition characterized by unexplained chronic fatigue that impairs normal activities. Although immunological and psychological aspects are present, symptoms related to skeletal muscles, such as muscle soreness, fatigability and increased lactate accumulation, are prominent in CFS patients. In this case-control study, the phenotype of the same biopsy samples was analyzed by determining i) fibre-type proportion using myosin isoforms as fibre type molecular marker and gel electrophoresis as a tool to separate and quantify myosin isoforms, and ii) contractile properties of manually dissected, chemically made permeable and calcium-activated single muscle fibres.

Molecular basis of the myogenic profile of aged human skeletal muscle satellite cells during differentiation.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function. Human muscle proteins are synthesized at a slower rate in the elderly than in young adults, leading to atrophy and muscle mass loss with a decline in the functional capability. Additionally, aging is accompanied by a decrease in the ability of muscle tissue to regenerate following injury or overuse due to the impairment of intervening satellite cells, in which we previously reported oxidative damage evidences.

Epileptic EEG discharges and short non-convulsive crisis: Influence on cognitive and psychobehavioural functions in youths.

Purpose: Learning and behavioural difficulties often occur in benign childhood epilepsy. In recent years, several electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics have been related to the occurrence of learning and behavioral problems. We determined if the cognitive characteristics of epileptic children depend exclusively on illness factors, or if epileptic electroencephalogram discharges during the crisis contribute to these changes.

Age-dependent effects on functional aspects in human satellite cells.

In humans aging is a complex process that determines many physical and metabolic alterations correlated to the accumulation of oxidative damage in different tissues. Sarcopenia is an age-related nonpathological condition that includes a progressive loss of mass and strength in skeletal muscle, associated with a decline in the fibers' functional capability. This condition could be correlated to abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation with consequent fiber oxidative damage.

Culture of human skeletal muscle myoblasts: timing appearance and localization of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and vinculin-talin-integrin complex.

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex together with the vinculin-talin-integrin complex plays an important role in muscle function; in fact the mutations of their elements lead to diverse forms of muscular dystrophies. The relationship between the elements of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and vinculin-talin-integrin and the time course of their formation are still not known in detail. In order to better understand this relationship we studied their expression during development in normal human skeletal muscle culture.

Neonatal eating epilepsy: pathophysiological and pharmacologic aspects.

We report a case of neonatal Eating Epilepsy. The baby was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Chieti after delivery, with respiratory distress syndrome. In the first day of life the baby had an episode of arterial desaturation and cyanosis with EEG alterations.

A case of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome, defect of cholesterol biosynthesis.

We report the case of a child with Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. The pregnancy was complicated by prenatal growth retardation. The baby was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Chieti when she was five months old.

Glutaric aciduria type II: a case report.

We report a case of a newborn with Glutaric aciduria type II. Pregnancy was complicated by polyhidramnios and fetal bradycardia. Cardiomegaly was detected by fetal echocardiography.

Excessively high magnetic resonance signal in preterm infants and neuropsychobehavioural follow-up at 2 years.

The diffuse excessive high-signal intensity (DEHSI) findings in the T2 weighted scans of white matter (WM), besides the corresponding low signal in the T1 weighted images, are usually more evident around the periventricular regions. It is not clear whether the DEHSI should be considered as a diffuse WM injury rather than a sign of delayed maturation of the WM. Eighty nine preterm infants at the full-term equivalent age (FEA) were studied using conventional Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the brain.

Age-dependent imbalance of the antioxidative system in human satellite cells.

The mature myofibres of human skeletal muscle are surrounded by a type of adult stem cell, known as the satellite cell, which lies outside the sarcolemma but within the basal lamina. These cells remain quiescent until external stimuli trigger their re-entry into the cell cycle. In humans, ageing is characterised by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) associated with a decline in functional ability.

Increased neuromuscular activity causes axonal defects and muscular degeneration.

Before establishing terminal synapses with their final muscle targets, migrating motor axons form en passant synaptic contacts with myotomal muscle. Whereas signaling through terminal synapses has been shown to play important roles in pre- and postsynaptic development, little is known about the function of these early en passant synaptic contacts. Here, we show that increased neuromuscular activity through en passant synaptic contacts affects pre- and postsynaptic development.