Acute brainstem compression by intratumoral hemorrhages in an intracranial hypoglossal schwannoma

A 77-year-old female in the hospital was found tachycardic and hypothermic by a nurse, and the patient’s respiration subsequently ceased. Forensic autopsy revealed an intracranial cystic tumor that would have compressed the brainstem. On microscopic examination, the tumor was diagnosed as an Antoni A schwannoma growth, and recent multiple intratumoral hemorrhages in the intracranial schwannoma were observed, suggesting the sudden enlargement of the intracranial schwannoma due to intratumoral hemorrhaging. Accordingly, we diagnosed the cause of death as brainstem compression induced by the intratumoral hemorrhaging in the intracranial schwannoma. Meanwhile, a rhinopharyngeal tumor was also detected by the autopsy, which was compatible with an antemortem diagnosis of a dumbbell-shaped hypoglossal schwannoma.     

Antioxidant and Physicochemical Properties of Hydrogen Peroxide‐Treated Sugar Beet Dietary Fibre

The aim of the present work was to examine if hydrogen peroxide treatment of sugar beet fibre that aimed at improving its physicochemical properties would impair its antioxidant potential. Three different sugar beet fibres were obtained from sugar beet – non‐treated fibre (NTF) from sugar beet cossettes extracted with sulphurous acid, treated fibre (TF) from NTF treated with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solution and commercially available Fibrex^®. The antioxidant activity of extractable and non‐extractable fibre fractions in ethanol/water mixture (80:20, v/v) of three fibre samples was estimated. Non‐extractable fractions obtained after alkaline treatment of investigated fibres were much higher in phenolic compounds and possessed higher antioxidant potential than extractable fractions. Ferulic acid was proven to be the dominant phenolic acid. Regarding both extractable and non‐extractable fractions, Fibrex^® had the highest antioxidant activity in chemical tests, while NTF was superior in comparison with TF. Based on the results of Caco‐2 cells‐based test, all non‐extractable fractions possessed potential for reactive oxygen species inhibition. Regarding the extractable fractions, only the TF manifested this effect.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, a free radical scavenger with anticholinesterase activity does not improve the cognitive performance of scopolamine-challenged rats

Reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase improve spatial learning and memory in animal models of cognitive impairment. Here we investigate if the beneficial effects of free radical scavenger N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) on cognitive performance could be explained by its recently discovered anticholinesterase activity. Morris water maze experiment was performed to examine the effect of PBN on the impairment of spatial learning and memory induced by the antagonist of cholinergic muscarinic transmission scopolamine. In situ hybridization histochemistry experiment was performed to study its effects on the induction of immediate early gene expression (c-fos, c-jun) by dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-82958 and on the augmentation of the SKF-82958-induced expression of these genes by scopolamine. In both experiments, the effects of PBN were compared to the effects of reversible anticholinesterase physostigmine. We found that physostigmine but not PBN significantly reversed the cognitive impairment in scopolamine-challenged rats, prevented the induction of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs by SKF-82958 and attenuated the augmentation of the SKF-82958-induced expression of these genes by scopolamine. The present experiments did not reveal a significant in vivo anticholinesterase activity of PBN.     

A panel of real-time PCR assays for specific detection of three phytoplasmas from the apple proliferation group

We report here on the development of combination of assays for fast, reliable, specific and sensitive detection and discrimination of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri’ from the 16Sr-X (apple proliferation – AP) group. These phytoplasmas are causal agents of diseases of fruit trees within the family Rosaceae, namely apple proliferation (AP), European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) and pear decline (PD). The designed panel of assays uses TaqMan^® minor groove binder probes (MGB). It comprises the same set of primers and specific probes for species-specific amplification within the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, a set of primers and probes for amplification of the 16S ribosomal DNA region for the universal phytoplasma detection, and an additional set of primers and probe for 18S rRNA as an endogenous quality control of DNA extraction. The performance characteristics of the panel were evaluated. The advantages of new assays were shown in a comparative study with the conventional PCR, which proved their higher sensitivity combined with three-fold shorter time of testing process; and in comparison with two reported multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection of ‘Ca. P. mali’ or ‘Ca. P. pyri’. New panel of assays were tested on the DNA samples of ‘Ca. P. mali’, ‘Ca. P. prunorum’, ‘Ca. P. pyri’, other phytoplasmas and other bacteria isolated from plant material. Additionally, 198 symptomatic and asymptomatic fruit tree field samples collecting during several growing seasons were tested with new assays as well. The results of this study indicate that the combination of three specific assays may be applied in routine phytoplasma surveys and in the certification programs.     

Diabetes mellitus type 2 as an underlying,comorbid or consequent state of mental disorders

Somatic disturbances that occur in parallel with psychiatric diseases are a major challenge in clinical practice. Various factors contribute to the development of mental and somatic disorders. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health burden worldwide, and the prevalence of diabetes in adults is increasing. The comorbidity of diabetes and mental disorders is very common. By sharing a bidirectional link, both T2DM and mental disorders influence each other in various manners, but the exact mechanisms underlying this link are not yet elucidated. The potential mechanisms of both mental disorders and T2DM are related to immune and inflammatory system dysfunction, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. Moreover, diabetes is also a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction that can range from subtle diabetes-associated cognitive decline to pre-dementia and dementia. A complex re-lationship between the gut and the brain also represents a new therapeutic approach since gut-brain signalling pathways regulate food intake and hepatic glucose production. The aim of this minireview is to summarize and present the latest data on mutual pathogenic pathways in these disorders, emphasizing their complexity and interweaving. We also focused on the cognitive performances and changes in neurodegenerative disorders. The importance of implementing integrated approaches in treating both of these states is highlighted, along with the need for individual therapeutic strategies.