Hippocampal pathology in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy: T2-weighted signal change reflects dentate gliosis.

BACKGROUND: The MR and pathologic features of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) are well described and include volume decrease and T2-weighted signal increase for MRI, and neuron cell loss and gliosis for pathology. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the established correlation between hippocampal volumes and neuron cell counts, and to study the still controversial association between signal change and gliosis. METHODS: The authors studied 44 patients (22 men and 22 women; mean age at surgery, 37 years) with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Quantitative assessment of hippocampal volumes and T2 relaxometry, and neuron and glial cell count in the region CA1 and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus was performed. The proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive glial cells (reactive astrocytes) was indicated. RESULTS: In a stepwise regression, the ipsilateral hippocampal volume was predicted best by the neuron cell count in the dentate gyrus (p = 0.005, r = 0.4). Hippocampal T2 time, however, was predicted best by the glial cell count in the dentate gyrus (p = 0.01, r = 0.4). None of the other cell counts contributed to either model. In the dentate, 31% of the glial cells were reactive astrocytes, whereas in CA1, 5% were reactive. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the correlation between hippocampal volumes and neuron cell counts. T2-weighted signal increase in the hippocampus was mainly influenced by gliosis in the dentate gyrus, where a high proportion of glial cells show abnormal activity. This activity may reflect changes important in the development of hippocampal epileptogenicity.     

创伤病人的手术与焦虑状态调查

采用状态——特质焦虑问卷及１０项躯体性焦虑测试题，对４０例外科创伤病人手术前后的焦虑状态调查显示：术前状态焦虑量表评分显著高于术后；术前躯体性焦虑评分显著高于术后；高特质焦虑评分亚组与低特质焦虑评分亚组术前状态焦虑评分无显著差异，但术后则前者显著高于后者；急诊手术者手术前后状态焦虑评分显著高于择期手术者。     

Histopathological features of congenital fundus lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis

We report the light and electron microscopic findings for two lesions from two patients who died of complications of familial adenomatous polyposis. In the first case microscopy of a small (100 to 200 mu), uniformly dark lesion (the commonest type seen in this condition) showed enlarged retinal pigment epithelial cells with an increased number of pigment granules. This is consistent with the term "hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium", currently used to describe these lesions. In the second case we sectioned a larger (1000 to 1500 mu), oval, grey lesion from the posterior pole. The pigment epithelium was normal, but between it and outer retina was an unusual choristoma consisting largely of myelinated axons and astrocytes.     

Quantitative Whole Body Autoradiographic Disposition of Glycol Ether in Mice: Effect of Route of Administration

Glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME)are common solvents used in many industrial products. A largenumber of individuals are exposed to EGME through differentexposure routes. We investigated the differential distributionof EGME following various routes of administration using wholebody autoradiographic (WBA) techniques. Male B6C3F1 mice weretreated with tracer iv or oral doses of [2-¹⁴C]EGME.(4.05 µgEGME/kg equivalent to 0.8 mCi/kg) and euthanized at 1 and 24hr following treatment. In both groups of animals the highestlevels of radioactivity were detected in the liver, urinarybladder, bone marrow, kidney, and epididymis, at 1- and 24-hrtime periods. Computer-assisted quantitation of WBA indicatedthat there was markedly higher deposition of [2-¹⁴ and/or itsmetabolites in various tissues of the orally treated animalsthan in animals treated intravenously. Our studies also suggestthat [2-¹⁴C]EGME is rapidly distributed either from blood orstomach to various tissues. Preferential deposition of radioactivityin the peripheral tissues of the bone, with a progressive inwardaccumulation in the bone marrow, was observed. Selective permeabilityof EGME and/or its metabolites was indicated by the higher uptakeby the epididymis than that by testis. The high levels of radioactivityin biosynthetically active tissues, e.g., the liver, bone marrow,and gastric mucosa, is an indication of persistent interactionof the compound with cellular components of these tissues. Theseinteractions may lead to EGME toxicity.     

Glomus vagale presenting as a supraclavicular mass: Magnetic resonance imaging findings

Glomus vagale are rare vascular tumours of the paraganglion cells of the vagus nerve, and they usually occur in the carotid space. Tumours can be familial, multicentric, malignant but rarely hormonally active. A rare case is reported of glomus vagale presenting as a supraclavicular mass.     

SDF‐1/CXCR4/CXCR7 is pivotal for vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and chronic allograft vasculopathy

Chronic rejection remains a major obstacle in transplant medicine. Recent studies suggest a crucial role of the chemokine SDF‐1 on neointima formation after injury. Here, we investigate the potential therapeutic effect of inhibiting the SDF‐1/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis with an anti‐SDF‐1 Spiegelmer (NOX‐A12) on the development of chronic allograft vasculopathy. Heterotopic heart transplants from H‐2bm12 to B6 mice and aortic transplants from Balb/c to B6 were performed. Mice were treated with NOX‐A12. Control animals received a nonfunctional Spiegelmer (revNOX‐A12). Samples were retrieved at different time points and analysed by histology, RT‐PCR and proliferation assay. Blockade of SDF‐1 caused a significant decrease in neointima formation as measured by intima/media ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1, P < 0.001 AoTx; 0.35 ± 0.05 vs. 1.13 ± 0.27, P < 0.05 HTx). In vitro treatment of primary vascular smooth muscle cells with NOX‐A12 showed a significant reduction in proliferation (0.42 ± 0.04 vs. 0.24 ± 0.03, P < 0.05). TGF‐β, TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were significantly reduced under SDF‐1 inhibition (3.42 ± 0.37 vs. 1.67 ± 0.33, P < 0.05; 2.18 ± 0.37 vs. 1.0 ± 0.39, P < 0.05; 2.18 ± 0.26 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). SDF‐1/CXCR4/CXCR7 plays a critical role in the development of chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of SDF‐1 with NOX‐A12 may represent a therapeutic option to ameliorate chronic rejection changes.     

Children's perceptions of strategies for resolving community health problems

We examine children's perceptions of the strategies they would use to resolve community health problems. Qualitative analysis using a grounded theory approach showed that 9- to 10-year-old children could conceptualize a range of solutions to hypothetical community health problems. Children's responses reflected an egocentric perspective, one that was centered on self and peers acting on short-term solutions to the immediate problem. Less frequently, children conceptualized broader structural interventions aimed at removing the problem altogether. Children could name resource persons including their friends, family, school personnel and other people in the community. However, outside of their family and peers, their knowledge was non-specific, i.e. it is doubtful that they would actually be able to access the resources. In light of our findings we discuss several important implications for future research. We note that children are interested in changing community conditions that affect their heath. However, their recognition of their marginalized position in adult society and their perception that adults do not take them seriously may be significant barriers to their participation. We suggest that society must rethink the position and roles that are assigned to children so that their valuable potential is not lost.     

CT与磁共振成像在儿童人工耳蜗植入术前研究

目的　评价CT与磁共振成像 (magneticresonanceimaging ,MRI)在儿童人工耳蜗植入术前的诊断作用 ,以及对手术选择的影响。方法　 71例 ( 142耳 )双耳重度耳聋、拟行人工耳蜗植入的患儿进行术前CT与MRI检查。结果　CT与MRI均发现 ,12例 ( 2 2耳 )患者有前庭水管扩大 ( 15 5 % ) ;14例 ( 2 5耳 )患儿有Mondini畸形 ( 17 6% ) ;3例 ( 5耳 )患儿有内耳道扩大 ( 3 5 % ) ;2例 ( 4耳 )患者有可疑内耳道底骨质缺损 ( 2 8% )。MRI发现有 5例 ( 5耳 )患者单侧耳蜗纤维化 ( 3 5 % ) ,而CT未见异常。1例 ( 2耳 )患儿的CT显示面神经裸露 ( 1 4% ) ,MRI正常。结论　人工耳蜗植入术前应该进行CT与MRI检查。对于发现前庭水管综合征、Mondini畸形、内耳道扩张及内耳道底骨质缺损有重要意义。这二种影像学检查结果可以相互补充诊断耳蜗纤维化与面神经裸露。对手术适应证的选择以及保证手术正常进行有重要意义     

Hemicranial Volume Deficits in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With and Without Hippocampal Sclerosis

Summary: Purpose: In patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy, studies have suggested volume deficits measured by MRI of brain structures outside the epileptogenic hippocampus. Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a frequent, but not obligate, finding in such patients. The present study examines the influence of the presence of HS on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements.
Methods: We analyzed 47 patients and 30 controls by quantitative MRI, including intracranial volume (ICV), hemicranial volume, hippocampal volume (HCV), and T₂relaxometry. MRI results were compared with histological findings in the resected temporal lobe.
Results: Histology documented HS in 35 patients (HS group) and other findings in 12 patients (no-HS group). In both groups, the hemicranial volume ipsilateral to the epileptogenic focus was significantly smaller than on the contralateral side (p <0.004). The HCV on both sides was smaller in the HS group compared with patients without HS (p ≥ 0.004). Unilateral hippocampal atrophy and increased T, value were found in 71% of patients with HS, and bilaterally normal HCV and T, value were found in 67% of patients without HS.
Conclusions: The smaller hemicranial volume on the focus side, irrespective of the presence or absence of HS suggests a different pathogenic mechanism for the additional hemicranial volume deficit, compared to HS itself. The contralateral HCV deficit depends on the presence of HS, indicating a pathogenic connection between damage to both hippocampi.