Nω-nitro-L-arginine attenuates early ischemic neuronal damage of prolonged focal cerebral ischemia and recirculation in rats

Abstract

The present study aimed to .examine the effects of NCJ)-nitro-L-arginine (LNA) on the early ischemic neuronal damage (EIND). All the experiments were carried out under general anesthesia, maintaining the blood gases and the body temperature within the physiologica.l ranges. The local CBF, the topographically corresponding cortical specific gravity, and the volume of fiNO were determined in each rat, which was subjected to prolonged or temporary occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) using our original miniclip. Significant cortical edema developed only in the brain area where the loca.f CBF valUe was below 200 ml 100 g-l min^-1 The prolonged MCA occlusion for 1, 2, and 4 h induced a time-dependent increase in the severity of cortical edema and the volume of fiNO. Removal of the clip invariably induced recirculation. Compared to that induced by 4 h prolonged ischemia, the brain damage was improved by 1 h MeA occlusion followed by 3 h recirculation, whereas it was significantly worsened by 2 h ischemia followed by 2 h recirculation. While LNA [1 mgt i.p., given two times during the experiment] only partially1nhibited -the activity of brain nitric oxide synthase, it remarkably ameliorated fiNO of both prolonged ischemia and recirculation in this model. The above findings indicate the pathogenic role of nitric oxide in prolonged ischemia as well as recirculation. [Neural Res 1997; 19: 192–203]

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Definite familial multiple system atrophy with unknown genetics

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an oligodendrogliopathy of presumably sporadic origin, characterized by prominent α‐synuclein inclusions with neuronal multisystem degeneration, although a few Mendelian pedigrees have been reported. Here we report two familial cases of MSA of unknown genetic background. One patient was diagnosed as a possible MSA‐C (cerebellar dysfuntion) case, and the other as clinically possible MSA‐P (parkinsonism), which turned out to be definite MSA, based on a detailed autopsy. The neuropathology showed extensive deposition of α‐synuclein in the glia as well as in the neurons located in the cerebral cortices and hippocampal systems, although neither multiplication of the SNCA gene or mutations in COQ2 gene were identified in the family concerned.     

Teratogenicity of Antiepileptic Drugs: Is the Prevention Possible?

Abstract: To assess the relative contribution of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) toward the occurrence of congenital malformation, two prospective studies (previous and present) were compared. In the present subjects of 145 cases, the total daily dose of AEDs (drug score) in each case was decreased as much as possible, and polypharmacy was changed to monopharmacy before conception where it was possible. The incidence of malformations significantly decreased from 13.5% to 6.2% (p = 0.031) by the change in drug regimen. The drug score, number of AEDs, maternal age at delivery, seizure type, and etiology of epilepsy were statistically different between the two study groups. Even after the correction of the data by the last three factors, the difference in the incidence of malformation did not disappear, while it disappeared if data were corrected either by the drug score or number of AEDs. These results suggest that the possibility of prevention of AED related malformations is possible by an improvement in AED therapy.     

Investigations of Mental Health of School Teachers for the Mentally Retarded and Staff Members in Social Welfare Facilities for the Mentally Retarded: Using a Japanese Version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)

Abstract: The mental health of 70 school teachers for the mentally retarded, 60 direct care staff in social welfare facilities for the mentally retarded, 124 nurses and 369 general office workers was investigated by means of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The results were: 1) The incidence of mental unhealthiness was 44.6% among staff serving the mentally retarded, tending to be higher than among nurses, and significantly higher than among general office workers. 2) Among staff serving the mentally retarded, females tended to be more mentally unhealthy than males; among school teachers for the mentally retarded, the incidence among females was significantly higher than among males. 3) As to the incidence by age and experience, among staff serving the mentally retarded, the younger the age and the shorter the experience, the higher the incidence of mental unhealthiness.     

Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis of long duration is associated with relatively mild TDP-43 pathology

Recently, sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS), a fatal neurological disease, has been shown to be a multisystem proteinopathy of TDP-43 in which both neurons and glial cells in the central nervous system are widely affected. In general, the natural history of SALS is short (<5 years). However, it is also known that a few patients may survive for 10 years or more, even without artificial respiratory support (ARS). In the present study using TDP-43 immunohistochemistry, we examined various regions of the nervous system in six patients with SALS of long duration (10–20 years) without ARS, in whom lower motor-predominant disease with Bunina bodies and ubiquitinated inclusions (UIs) in the affected lower motor neurons was confirmed. One case also showed UIs in the hippocampal dentate granule cells (UDG). In all cases, except one with UDG, the occurrence of TDP-43-immunoreactive (ir) neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) was confined to a few regions in the spinal cord and brainstem, including the anterior horns. In one case with UDG, TDP-43-ir NCIs were also detected in the substantia nigra, and some regions of the cerebrum, including the hippocampal dentate gyrus (granule cells). The number of neurons displaying NCIs in each region was very small (1–3 per region, except the dentate gyrus). On the other hand, the occurrence of TDP-43-ir glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) was more widespread in the central nervous system, including the cerebral white matter. Again, however, the number of glial cells displaying GCIs in each region was very small (1–3 per region). In conclusion, compared to the usual form of SALS, TDP-43 pathology shown in SALS of long duration was apparently mild in degree and limited in distribution, corresponding to the relatively benign clinical courses observed. It is now apparent that SALS of long duration is actually part of a TDP-43 proteinopathy spectrum.     

One-step chemical vapor deposition fabrication of Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles for the oxygen evolution reaction of water splitting

NiO combined with conductive materials is a practicable way to improve its catalytic property for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by enhancing its electrical conductivity. Herein, Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles less than 20 nm in average diameter were synthesized by a one-step chemical vapor deposition process. Due to the deliberately controlled lack of oxygen, Ni particles and carbon clusters decomposed from NiCp₂ precursors were oxidized incompletely and formed Ni@NiO core–shell nanoparticles coated by a graphite layer. The thickness of the graphite layer and the content of Ni were controlled by varying deposition temperature. The electrochemical activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction was assessed within alkaline media. Compared with commercial NiO powder, the Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles with the unique core–shell microstructure exhibit excellent OER performance, i.e., an overpotential of 330 mV (vs. RHE) at 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec⁻¹, due to the improved electrical conductivity and more active sites. This work provides a facile and rapid strategy to produce nanoparticles with unique microstructures as highly active electrocatalysts for the OER.

Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles with excellent OER performance were synthesized by a one-step chemical vapor deposition process.     

Synthesis of meso-porous α-Ga2O3 from liquid Ga metal having significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction with water

We have succeeded in synthesizing meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃ which shows significantly high photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction with water. The sample was synthesized by hydroxidation of liquid Ga metal in water to obtain GaOOH and Ga(OH)₃, followed by the calcination of the mixed hydroxides at 773 K for 1 hour which converted them to meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃. The nano-pores remained as the trace of the evaporation of water produced by the oxidation of the hydroxides during the calcination. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃ for CO₂ reduction with water was as high as or higher than previous studies using various types of Ga₂O₃ with and without cocatalysts.

Meso-porous α-Ga₂O₃ showing quite high photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction with water is successfully synthesized from liquid Ga metal.     

Suspected Tuberculous Pleurisy and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Comorbidity

A 33-year-old woman with a fever, cough, and pharyngitis was admitted after left-sided pleural effusion was detected. The fever and upper respiratory symptoms were confirmed, and she was diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after showing a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. After thoracentesis, pleural fluid revealed elevated adenosine deaminase values and a positive QuantiFeron test; tuberculous pleurisy was thus suspected. Subsequent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR and anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG tests were negative, suggesting that the initial PCR result had been erroneous. However, we were unable to confirm this. Data concerning COVID-19 diagnostics are insufficient at present. It is important to make comprehensive judgments regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients as well as public health.