Reversible Verbal and Visual Memory Deficits after Left Retrosplenial Infarction

The retrosplenial cortex is a cytoarchitecturally distinct brain structure located in the posterior cingulate gyrus and bordering the splenium, precuneus, and calcarine fissure. Functional imaging suggests that the retrosplenium is involved in memory, visuospatial processing, proprioception, and emotion.We report on a patient who developed reversible verbal and visual memory deficits following a stroke. Neuropsychological testing revealed both anterograde and retrograde memory deficits in verbal and visual modalities. Brain diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an acute infarction of the left retrosplenium.     

The study of diethylstilbestrol toxic effect in the mouse sertoli cell line by comparison of miRNA and mRNA expression

It is important to acknowledge the harmful effects of environmental chemicals in human’s lives. The toxic effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES), one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), have been documented in many studies. As expected, DES affect male gendal hormone as well as female’s; therefore, epigenetic study should be considered. In this study, microarray technology was used to study harmful effects on the level of genomics, and here, two types of microarray chips- the Agilent mouse genome 4 × 44 K array for gene expression profiling and the Agilent mouse miRNA v13 for miRNA expression profiling-was used to study the relation between gene and miRNA expression profiles. As a result, we identified 4 miRNAs (miR 203, 350, 421, and 466i) that were similarly expressed at 3 hrs and 24 hrs of DES treat times. Twenty one genes matched between predicted target for 4 miRNAs and 118 genes expressed similarly. These genes have functions related to cell differentiation and cell cycle. Therefore, DES affects cellular function and induces toxicity in TM4 cells. In future studies, it is necessary to find more related functions and mechanisms of DES in the system.     

Poxvirus-based vaccine therapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

Purpose  

An open-label Phase 1 study of recombinant prime-boost poxviruses targeting CEA and MUC-1 in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer was conducted to determine safety, tolerability and obtain preliminary data on immune response and survival.     

Antiviral triterpenes fromPrunella vulgaris

Two triterpenes 1 and 2 with antiviral activity againstHerpes simplex virus type 1in vitro were isolated fromPrunella vulgaris. Each compound caused a significant reduction in viral cytopathic effect whenvero cells were exposed to them for 72 hours after viral challenge. They were identified asbetulinic acid(1) and 2α, 3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(2) on the basis of their spectroscopic properties. The antiviral activity of them was estimated as EC₅₀=30 μg/ml(1) and 8 μg/ml(2), respectively by plaque reduction assay.     

Experimental transplantation gliomas in the adult cat brain

Summary In adult cats experimental brain tumours were produced by stereotactical xenotransplantation of the rat glioma clone F 98 into the internal capsule of the left hemisphere. Two to four weeks after transplantation tumours and peritumoural oedema were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrophysiological recording and analysis of tissue content of water, electrolytes and extravasated serum proteins.Spherical tumours with a diameter of about 10 mm developed at the injection site and were surrounded by massive white matter oedema. Water content in peritumoural white matter increased from 2.63 ± 0.17 to 3.65 ± 0.19 ml/g d.w. (means ± SD), sodium from 187±11 to 351±55 eq/g d.w. and calcium from 7.4±1.1 to 13.3 ± 1.3 ± 1.3 eq/g d.w. Potassium and magnesium did not change. Oedema development was associated with the extravasation of 18.0 ± 16.8mg/g d.w. albumin and 15.8 ± 12.2 mg/g d.w. immunoglobulin. The calculated electrolyte content of oedema fluid approximated that of plasma but the serum protein content was about 40% lower. The ratio of low (albumin) to high (immunoglobulin) molecular weight proteins was the same in blood and oedema fluid. It is, therefore, concluded that peritumoural oedema consist of two components,a whole plasma extravasate and a protein-free ultra-filtrate.Peritumoural oedema could be clearly detected by MRI but differentiation between tumour and oedema was only possible after contrast enhancement with gadolinium-DTPA. The ratios of the intensities of the MR signal correlated linearly with the water content within white matter. MRI, in consequence, allows quantification of oedema provided a reference area with normal water content is present.     

The application of molecular techniques to solid tumors

Recent developments in the field of molecular biology including the sequencing of the human genome and related high throughput methodologies are presenting the diagnostic pathologist with new opportunities to expand our understanding of human disease. These techniques enable the comprehensive assessment of molecular alterations with cell populations of interest, including cancer. It will be necessary for the diagnostic pathologist to become familiar with these techniques to effectively translate their potential into the clinical environment.     

Expression of the alpha1D subunit of the L-type voltage gated calcium channel in human liver

Calcium channel blocker is useful for a variety of purposes and is effective for preventing hepatitis elicited by different inducers, suggesting its possible clinical application for treating hepatitis. The alpha1-subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel is a target of calcium channel blocker. For clinical application of calcium channel blocker, it is important to analyze the expression of the L-type calcium channel in the liver. However, the subtype of the L-type calcium channel alpha1-subunit expressed in the liver was not known. In the present study, the alpha1-subunit of the calcium channel expressed in human liver was systematically analyzed. The alpha1D subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type voltage gated calcium channel is expressed relatively strongly in the liver and may play an important role in the liver.     

Detection of YMDD motif mutants by oligonucleotide chips in lamivudine-untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Lamivudine, a nucleoside analogue, has been used widely as an effective antiviral agent for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the YMDD motif mutation of HBV polymerase resistant to lamivudine occurs very frequently after long term therapy. We developed an oligonucleotide chip for the detection of YMDD motif mutants resistant to lamivudine and investigated the prevalence of the mutants in patients with chronic HBV infection who had not been treated by lamivudine before. Forty patients who had not been treated with lamivudine were included in this study. Serum samples were tested by the oligonucleotide chips designed for detection of wild-type YMDD motif, M552V and M552I. Samples were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and direct sequencing. M552I mutants were detected by the oligonucleotide chips in 7.5% (3/40) of chronic HBV infected patients (2 chronic hepatitis and 1 cirrhosis). The results were in accordance with those of RFLP. YMDD motif mutants occur as natural genome variabilities in patients with chronic HBV infection who had not been treated with lamivudine before. Oligonucleotide chip technology is a reliable and useful diagnostic tool for the detection of mutants resistant to antiviral therapy in chronic HBV infection.