Meniscal abnormalities: prospective correlation of double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy

In a prospective study conducted over a 12-month period, 30 patients underwent double-contrast arthrography of the knee followed by arthroscopic study. An 80% correlation rate was found between results. Arthrography had a higher rate of accuracy (93%) than arthroscopy (84%) and had a 7% false-positive and 0% false-negative rate. A commonly overlooked arthrographic sign--the triple-S or stuck sail sign--was 91% accurate in the prediction of meniscal tears. The complementary nature of the two examinations is discussed.     

An unusual clinical presentation of bilateral schizencephaly

Summary We present a case with a characteristic magnetic resonance image (MRI) of bilateral open-lipped schizencephaly and atypical clinical presentation. The patient is still alive and in good health in her forties, she has never presented seizures, and although the motor dysfunction is well correlated with cerebral lobe involvement, neurobehavioral dysfunction is not proportional to the MR image of the cerebral malformation.

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Un cas inhabituel de schizencéphalie bilatérale

Résumé Nous présentons un cas de schizencéphalie bilatérale ouverte caractérisé par une présentation clinique atypique et une imagerie par résonance magnétique nucléaire caractéristique. La patiente est encore vivante, en bonne santé, à plus de 40 ans, elle n'a jamais présenté de crise comitiale et, bien que les troubles moteurs soient bien corrélés aux altérations cérébrales, les troubles neuro-comportementaux ne sont pas proportionnels aux images IRM de cette malformation cérébrale.

     

An in vitro evaluation of extracts from some medicinal plants in Kenya against herpes simplex virus

The extracts from 21 medicinal plants commonly used in traditional remedies in Kenya were screened for antiviral activity against wild type 7401H strain herpes simplex virus type 1. The plant extracts exhibited antiviral activity against the virus in the plaque and yield reduction assays. The results reveal that twelve plants may contain constituents that could be exploited for the management of HSV infections. Although the extracts used in these experiments contain a complex matrix of a large number of compounds the results indicate that useful compounds can be isolated for further exploitation.     

Apoptotic cell death in mouse models of GM2 gangliosidosis and observations on human Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases

Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases are autosomal recessive neurodegenerative diseases resulting from the inability to catabolize GM2 ganglioside by beta-hexosaminidase A (Hex A) due to mutations of the alpha subunit (Tay-Sachs disease) or beta subunit (Sandhoff disease) of Hex A. Hex B (beta beta homodimer) is also defective in Sandhoff disease. We previously developed mouse models of both diseases and showed that Hexa-/- (Tay-Sachs) mice remain asymptomatic to at least 1 year of age while Hexb-/- (Sandhoff) mice succumb to a profound neurodegenerative disease by 4-6 months of age. Here we find that neuron death in Hexb-/- mice is associated with apoptosis occurring throughout the CNS, while Hexa-/- mice were minimally involved at the same age. Studies of autopsy samples of brain and spinal cord from human Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases revealed apoptosis in both instances, in keeping with the severe expression of both diseases. We suggest that neuron death is caused by unscheduled apoptosis, implicating accumulated GM2 ganglioside or a derivative in triggering of the apoptotic cascade.