An Autopsy Case of Binswanger's Disease without Hypertension and Associated with Cerebral Infarction in the Terminal Stage

Abstract: We report here an autopsy case of Binswanger's disease (BD) without hypertension and associated with cerebral infarction in the terminal stage. The female patient, who was 74 years old at the time of death, had initially demonstrated manic-depressive disorder-like mental disorder, followed by dementia and neurological deficits. A brain CT scan showed white matter low attenuation bilaterally and symmetrically. BD was clinically diagnosed despite the lack of hypertension. In the terminal stage, she suffered an infarction in the left anterior cerebral artery region, and died of pneumonia. Neuropathologically, we found the infarction of the left anterior cerebral artery region, demyelination, fibrillary gliosis, lacunae and arteriosclerosis of the small arteries and arterioles in the white matter.     

Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can it reduce the incidence of surgical treatment?

Since 1986, the authors have been conducting conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis with the combination of brace treatment and physical treatment (side shift exercise and hitch exercise). A total of 328 female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were at least 10 years of age at the first visit, with Cobb angle of 10° at the minimum and followed until after 15 years of age or skeletal maturity were included. The average Cobb angle was 32.4° and the average age was 13.8 years at the first visit. Surgery was recommended when curvature progressed to >50°. Twenty of 328 patients (6.1%) with more severe curves to begin with (mean Cobb angle at admission of 48.5?±?9.3°) progressed to 62.2?±?8.5° and were treated with spinal fusion by the age of 16.0?±?2.6 years. The remaining 308 patients, of comparable age at inception of treatment but with a smaller original mean Cobb angle (32.4?±?11.1°), showed no significant increase in magnitude of curvature (mean 33.6?±?11.5°) by the time of discharge (18.6?±?3.1 years). The fact that curvature magnitude was maintained at <35° means that these patients will have a good prognosis for avoiding dramatic progression during adulthood.     

Astroglial IFITM3 mediates neuronal impairments following neonatal immune challenge in mice

Interferon‐induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) ?plays a crucial role in the antiviral responses of Type I interferons (IFNs). The role of IFITM3 in the central nervous system (CNS) is, however, largely unknown, despite the fact that its expression is increased in the brains of patients with neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we show the role of IFITM3 in long‐lasting neuronal impairments in mice following polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (polyI:C, a synthetic double‐stranded RNA)‐induced immune challenge during the early stages of development. We found that the induction of IFITM3 expression in the brain of mice treated with polyI:C was observed only in astrocytes. Cultured astrocytes were activated by polyI:C treatment, leading to an increase in the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines as well as Ifitm3. When cultured neurons were treated with the conditioned medium of polyI:C‐treated astrocytes (polyI:C‐ACM), neurite development was impaired. These polyI:C‐ACM‐induced neurodevelopmental abnormalities were alleviated by ifitm3^?/? astrocyte‐conditioned medium. Furthermore, decreases of MAP2 expression, spine density, and dendrite complexity in the frontal cortex as well as memory impairment were evident in polyI:C‐treated wild‐type mice, but such neuronal impairments were not observed in ifitm3^?/? mice. We also found that IFITM3 proteins were localized to the early endosomes of astrocytes following polyI:C treatment and reduced endocytic activity. These findings suggest that the induction of IFITM3 expression in astrocytes by the activation of the innate immune system during the early stages of development has non‐cell autonomous effects that affect subsequent neurodevelopment, leading to neuropathological impairments and brain dysfunction, by impairing endocytosis in astrocytes. GLIA 2013     

Histological changes in monoaminergic neurons of Long–Evans Cinnamon rats

The Long–Evans Cinnamon rat, an animal model of Wilson’s disease, is an inbred mutant strain with spontaneous hepatitis isolated from Long–Evans rats. The copper concentration in the brains of Long–Evans Cinnamon rats at 4 weeks of age was lower than that of controls, but higher than that of controls at 20 weeks of age. We investigated the tyrosine hydroxylase and 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive fiber densities in the brains of Long–Evans Cinnamon rats aged 4, 10, and 20 weeks by immunohistochemistry, comparing them with Long–Evans Agouti rats used as controls. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive fiber densities in the cingulate cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in Long–Evans Cinnamon rats were significantly lower than those of Long–Evans Agouti rats at 4 and 10 weeks of age. On the other hand, 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive fiber densities in the cingulate cortex, caudate-putamen, hypothalamus, and hippocampus in Long–Evans Cinnamon rats were significantly higher than those of controls at 4, 10 and 20 weeks of age. In the cingulate cortex and caudate-putamen, 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive fiber densities became gradually higher with age. The number of aberrant 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive fibers in the cingulate cortex, caudate-putamen, hypothalamus and hippocampus in LEC rats was significantly higher than that of controls. The number of another type of aberrant 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive fibers, which were detected only at 20 weeks of age in the caudate-putamen in LEC rats was significantly higher than that of controls. These results suggest that age-dependent changes in copper concentrations of Long–Evans Cinnamon rats were related to changes in monoaminergic neuron systems.     

Effects of compressive loading on biomechanical properties of disc and peripheral tissue in a rat tail model

Intervertebral disc degeneration induced by mechanical compression is an important issue in spinal disorder research. In this study, the biomechanical aspect of the rat tail model was investigated. An external loading device equipped with super-elastic TiNi springs was developed to apply a precise load to the rat tail. By using this device, rat tail discs were subjected to compressive stress of 0.5 or 1.0 MPa for 2 weeks. Discs in the sham group received an attachment of the device but no loading. After the experimental period, first the intact tail with peripheral tissues (PT) such as tendon and skin and then the retrieved disc without PT were subjected to a uniaxial tension–compression test; biomechanical characteristics such as range of motion (ROM), neutral zone (NZ), and hysteresis loss (HL) were evaluated. Furthermore, the load-bearing contribution of PT in the intact tail was estimated by comparing the load–displacement curves obtained by the mechanical tests performed with and without PT. The experimental findings revealed that the continuous compressive stress induced reduction in disc thickness. The intact tail demonstrated decreases in ROM and NZ as well as increases in HL. On the other hand, the retrieved disc demonstrated increases in ROM, NZ, and HL. Further, a significant increase in the load-bearing contribution of PT was indicated. These findings suggest that the load-bearing capacity of the disc was seriously deteriorated by the application of compressive stress of 0.5 or 1.0 MPa for 2 weeks.     

Cholecystokinin secretion induced by β-conglycinin peptone depends on Gαq-mediated pathways in enteroendocrine cells

Background  Intraduodenal administration of peptone prepared from soybean β-conglycinin (BconP) stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion from enteroendocrine cells, and suppresses food intake in rats. However, the sensing mechanism of BconP by CCK-producing cells is unknown. Aim of the study  We investigated signal transduction pathways mediating CCK secretion in response to BconP in the murine CCK-producing cell line, STC-1. Methods  STC-1 cells were seeded in 48-well culture plates until sub-confluent and CCK secretion was examined under various conditions. CCK concentration was determined by the enzyme immunoassay. Results  BconP dose-dependently induced CCK secretion in STC-1 cells. Treatment with BAPTA-AM, an intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator, reduced BconP-induced CCK secretion, however, removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ did not affect the secretory response. Treatment with 2-amino borate (2-APB) reduced CCK releasing responses, suggesting the involvement of IP₃. In addition, BconP failed to induce CCK secretion after treatment with the Gαq protein inhibitor (YM-254890). Conclusion  These results indicate that Gαq pathway is responsible for BconP-induced CCK secretion in STC-1 cells, and suggest the involvement of a Gαq-coupled GPCR(s) in dietary peptide sensing in enteroendocrine cells.     

Effects of skin care and makeup under instructions from dermatologists on the quality of life of female patients with acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris significantly affects patients' quality of life (QOL) and their lives in various ways, including social behavior and body dissatisfaction. This may be heightened by acne's typical involvement of the face. We investigated whether the use of skin care and makeup could influence the QOL of affected patients without deteriorating conventional acne treatments. Fifty female patients with acne were recruited for our study. Twenty-five patients were instructed how to use skin care and cosmetics, while 25 patients received no specific instructions from dermatologists. Both groups received conventional topical and/or oral medication for acne during the study period for 4 weeks. Both groups did not show any significant difference in clinical improvement of acne severity. Two validated QOL questionnaires, World Health Organization (WHO)QOL26 and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were administered to all patients at first visit and 4 weeks later. The mean scores of psychological and overall domains in WHOQOL26 for patients with instructions were improved significantly, while only the overall score was significantly improved for patients without instructions. The total mean scores and all domains except work/school in DLQI for patients with instructions were improved significantly, while the total scores and all domains except discomfort for treatment in DLQI were significantly improved for patients without instructions. Thus, instructions on the use of skin care and cosmetics for female acne patients did not deteriorate acne treatment and influenced patients' QOL effectively. We therefore suggest that instructions for using skin care and cosmetics complement conventional medical treatments for acne.