Hockey Games and the Incidence of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background

The association between diagnosed acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and hockey games in the Canadian population is unknown.

Critical role of soluble amyloid-β for early hippocampal hyperactivity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive dysfunction of central neurons. Recent experimental evidence indicates that in the cortex, in addition to the silencing of a fraction of neurons, other neurons are hyperactive in amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque-enriched regions. However, it has remained unknown what comes first, neuronal silencing or hyperactivity, and what mechanisms might underlie the primary neuronal dysfunction. Here we examine the activity patterns of hippocampal CA1 neurons in a mouse model of AD in vivo using two-photon Ca(2+) imaging. We found that neuronal activity in the plaque-bearing CA1 region of older mice is profoundly altered. There was a marked increase in the fractions of both silent and hyperactive neurons, as previously also found in the cortex. Remarkably, in the hippocampus of young mice, we observed a selective increase in hyperactive neurons already before the formation of plaques, suggesting that soluble species of Aβ may underlie this impairment. Indeed, we found that acute treatment with the γ-secretase inhibitor LY-411575 reduces soluble Aβ levels and rescues the neuronal dysfunction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that direct application of soluble Aβ can induce neuronal hyperactivity in wild-type mice. Thus, our study identifies hippocampal hyperactivity as a very early functional impairment in AD transgenic mice and provides direct evidence that soluble Aβ is crucial for hippocampal hyperactivity.     

Interhemispheric approach to tumors of the posterior gyrus cinguli

Objective

Posterior gyrus cinguli tumors are a well-defined group of tumors that pose considerable challenges in creating surgical access and manipulating adjacent eloquent areas (visual and motor). Here we report our 5-year experience in the surgical treatment of these tumors and describe tumor characteristics, surgical steps, critical aspects, and prognostic factors.

Methods

This series comprises 37 patients operated on for glioma (high-grade in 28, low-grade in 9), often presenting with motor impairment (n = 20), intracranial hypertension (n = 15), seizures (n = 11), and/or hemianopia (n = 9). Preoperative assessment was performed with magnetic resonance imaging. Half of the tumors were more than 4 cm in size, and the majority presented secondary extension into the fronto-parieto-occipital area, the temporo-mesial area, and/or the corpus callosum. Positioning and assisted surgery were optimized in each patient based on preoperative planning.

Results

The ipsilateral interhemispheric approach was elected in all cases. Tumor size and extension were significantly associated with the degree of tumor removal. Total removal was achieved in 25 patients (65%); 4 (10%) had persistent morbidity (visual or motor deficits). The occurrence of local and systemic complications was negligible.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of posterior gyrus cinguli tumors can be safely approached via the interhemispheric route as it permits several beneficial operative maneuvers in selected cases.     

Age-related changes in 28S and 18S RNA in antigen-stimulated and non-stimulated rat spleens

The possible changes in rRNA amounts in the spleens of immunized and non-immunized rats during aging were investigated. The cytoplasmic RNA was extracted from intact spleens or spleen cell suspensions and 28S_o/ 18S_o, 28S_y/18S_y, 28S_o/28S_y, 18S_o/18S_y ratios were calculated, the most significant change (P < 0.01) occurring at the level of 28S_o/28S_y ratio; i.e., there was a six-fold increase in the ratio of 28S rRNA in old rats as compared to young rats suggesting a preferential digestion of 26S subunit by neutral and alkaline RNAase whose activities were found to decrease in old non-immunized rats. In immunized rats the situation was different, as there was a considerable decrease (over twenty fold) in rRNA from old animals as compared to young ones, the most significant results being obtained with spleen cell suspensions. As age-related changes in the immune system begin at the time of sexual maturity, we propose the use of rRNA as a marker of rat senescence.     

Ueber ein neueres Verfahren bei Schädelcapacitäts-Messungen,sowie über eine methodische Untersuchung der Fehler bei Volumens- und Gewichts-Bestimmungen des Füllmateriales

Ohne ZusammenfassungVorgelegt in der Sitzung der Berliner Anthropologischen Gesellschaft am 21. Januar 1899.     

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: gold standard in bilateral hernia repair? Results of more than 2800 patients in comparison to literature

Background  

Advantages and disadvantages of open and endoscopic hernia surgery are still being discussed. Until now there has been no study that evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral hernia repair in a large number of patients.     

Determination of the 5-fluorouracil and N1(2'-furanidyl)uracil in the presence of tegafur by zero-crossing first derivative spectrometry

A first derivative spectrometric method has been developed for the determination of the 5-fluorouracil and N1(2'-furanidyl)uracil related substances and degradation products of tegafur. The wavelengths selected for the determination of 5-fluorouracil and N1(2'-furanidyl)uracil were 298 and 288 nm, respectively. At this wavelength, the calibration graphs between the amplitude of the signals and the concentration of each compound were linear up to 24.75 mg l(-1) for 5-fluorouracil and up to 20.20 mg l(-1) for N1(2'-furanidyl)uracil. The detection limits were 0.40 and 0.050 mg l(-1) for 5-fluorouracil and N1(2'-furanidyl)uracil, respectively. The method is simple and rapid and does not require any preliminary treatment of the sample. The method was validated.