Keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge applied to devastated urban soil. A preliminary experiment

The qualitative and quantitative (q/q) changes of keratinolytic fungi in soil mixtures with added sewage sludge were examined during a preliminary reclamation experiment. Sludge before land application was characterized by the weak growth of keratinolytic fungi. In devastated urban soil, abundant fungal growth was observed. Over a 19‐month reclamation period, decreasing frequency of Chrysosporium concurrent with the enrichment of the mixture with the geophilic dermatophytes Arthroderma quadrifidum and A. uncinatum were clearly seen. The results are discussed with respect to possible ecological factors influencing the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the materials examined. The public health risk associated with the application of sewage sludge for reclamation is also discussed.     

Development-related expression of AKAP79 in the striatal compartments of the human brain

The expression of AKAP79 which tethers regulatory proteins within postsynaptic densities has been studied in the two striatal compartments, i.e. patches and matrix, at different stages of the developing human brain by means of immunohistochemistry. The two striatal compartments exhibit various intensities of diffuse immunolabelling and a different number of immunoreactive nerve cells. From the 14th to 20th gestational week a nearly homogeneous distribution of immunoreactive structures in the two compartments of the striatum is seen. Thereafter, a decrease in immunoreactive structures within the matrix is observed (22nd-25th week, intermediate stage). From the 27th week onwards the patch compartment contains distinctly more immunoreactive puncta and nerve cells. Thus, the patches stand out clearly in the immunopreparations. This distribution pattern does not change during proceeding development. AKAP79-immunoreactive nerve cells closely resemble those constituting the class of medium-sized inhibitory projection neurons that receive the dopaminergic input of the striatum. Literature data suggest that AKAP79 may be functionally attributed to dopaminergic inputs. Accordingly, the patterns of AKAP79 expression can at least in part be correlated with the sequential occurrence of dopaminergic innervation. The mature matrix containing a dopaminergic innervation being as dense as in the patches displays distinctly less AKAP79-immunoreactive neurons and puncta than the patches. This discrepancy might indicate that a subpopulation of matrix neurons may, despite dopaminergic input, not express AKAP79.     

Alterations in the organization of the isocortical layer I in trisomy 22

The isocortical layer I of human fetal brains obtained from different cases of chromosomal abnormalities (trisomy 18, 21, 22) and controls without pathological disturbances were investigated histologically and immunohistochemically by using the antibodies SMI 311, SMI 35 and SMI 81 (SNAP 25) as well as antibodies against GAP 43 and calretinin. In cases of trisomy 22 the Cajal-Retzius cells in Nissl-sections and in SMI 311-immunopreparations do not reveal any alterations regarding their location or morphology. However, the axonal plexus, selectively labelled with SMI 35, normally located in layer Ib, is malpositioned in Ia. Likewise, SNAP 25- and GAP 43-immunoreactive structures, which were taken as signs of synaptogenesis, are displaced and appear in Ia instead of Ib. Cases of trisomy 18 and 21 show no changes within the organization of layer I. In trisomy 22 the isocortical layer I reveals malpositioned axonal plexus and a corresponding displacement of synaptic proteins. The possible significance of this alteration in the developmental process of the isocortex is discussed.     

Mass spectrometrical analysis of human serine racemase in foetal brain

Summary. We analysed human serine racemase for the first time from human foetal brain by mass spectrometrical methods, MALDI MS and MS/MS. The detection of human serine racemase from a transient area of human foetal brain, the perireticular nucleus, that is suggested to be mainly involved in guidance of corticofugal and thalamocortical fibers, may be a clue for the important role of this enzyme in neuronal migration and brain development via regulation of NMDA receptor activity.     

Mean cell spacing abnormalities in the neocortex of patients with schizophrenia

It has been postulated that the prefrontal cortices of schizophrenic patients have significant alterations in their interneuronal (neuropil) space. The present study re-examines this finding based on measurements of mean cell spacing within the cell minicolumn. The population studied consisted of 13 male schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV criteria) and 13 age-matched controls. Photomicrographs of Brodmann's areas 9, 4 (M1), 3b (S1), and 17 (V1) were analyzed with computerized image analysis to measure parameters of minicolumnar morphometry, i.e., columnarity index (CI), minicolumnar width (CW), dispersion of minicolumnar width (V(CW)), and mean interneuronal distance (MCS). The results indicate alterations in the mean cell spacing of schizophrenic patients according to both the lamina and cortical area examined. The lack of variation in the columnarity index argues in favor of a defect postdating the formation of the cell minicolumn.     

Glutamic-acid-decarboxylase-and parvalbumin-like-immunoreactive structures in the olfactory bulb of the human adult

This study examines the distribution and morphological characteristics of glutamic-acid-decarboxylase-like (GAD)- and parvalbumin-like (PA)-immunoreactive structures in the olfactory bulb of the human adult. GAD-immunoreactive somata occurred in the glomerular layer, the external granule cell layer, the more superficial portion of the external plexiform layer, and the internal granule cell layer. The cells were small- to medium-sized. Demonstration of lipofuscin pigment revealed the presence of unpigmented as well as pigmented neurons, thus suggesting the existence of two subpopulations of GAD-positive neurons. GAD-immunoreactive puncta and/or fibers were mainly seen in the periglomerular region and the internal granule cell layer. All other layers of the bulb, as well as the intrabulbar portion of the anterior olfactory nucleus, displayed considerably less of these puncta and/or fibers. The olfactory nerve layer remained practically clear of immunoreactive material. PA-immunoreactive somata occurred in the glomerular layer and both the external and internal granule cell layer. Only a small number of immunoreactive nerve cells were encountered within the white matter or the olfactory tract. Most PA-positive neurons displayed characteristics of short axon cells whereas a few others resembled van Gehuchten cells. All of the PA-immunoreactive neurons were devoid of lipofuscin pigment. Immunoreactive puncta and fibers were present in all layers though predominating in the periglomerular region, the olfactory nerve layer, and the internal granule cell layer. The intrabulbar portions of the anterior olfactory nucleus did not show any immunoreactive structures.     

Distribution of intracytoplasmic acidophilic granules in the magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain in normal individuals and patients suffering from Parkinson's disease

Using a technique which stains both acidophilic granules and lipofuscin deposits, the distribution pattern of neurons containing intracytoplasmic acidophilic granules was studied in the magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain in the normal adult. Additionally, a classification of the acidophilic granule-bearing neurons was carried out. Within the medial septal nucleus and the vertical limb nucleus of the diagonal band less than 10% of the multipolar neurons display acidophilic granules. Proceeding posteriorly, the number of granule-containing neurons increased up to 36% in the horizontal limb nucleus of the diagonal band and in the anteromedial subnucleus of the basal nucleus, and up to 56% in the posterolateral subnucleus of the basal nucleus. In parkinsonian cases the frequency of acidophilic granule-bearing neurons was significantly reduced in the posterolateral subnucleus of the basal nucleus. At the ultrastructural level, the acidophilic granules consist of a homogenous material and were occasionally located within mitochondria. Their substructural aspects as well as their intracytoplasmic distribution correspond to those displayed by the granules found in the lower brain stem.     

Antibiotics: treatment of preterm labor.

Our intention is to review recent data and provide recommendations for the use of antibiotics in cases of preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM). Various studies assessing antibiotics as treatment for preterm labor demonstrate neonatal or maternal benefits only in certain circumstances. Antibiotic treatment should be given to patients with bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis. Currently, antibiotics should not be applied routinely to prolong pregnancy in women with preterm labor and intact membranes. However, antibiotic therapy should be given to patients with pPROM to prolong pregnancies at 24 to 32 weeks' gestation. Our management of pPROM up to 32 weeks' gestation includes use of corticosteroids, antibiotic (extended spectrum penicillins) and tocolytic treatment for preterm labor and pregnancy prolongation. We consider expectant management previous to evidence of intrauterine infection. In women with pPROM at 32 to 34 weeks we found it beneficial to deliver 24 hours after administration of corticosteroids or, in cases of intrauterine infection, immediately. Finally, we report on our research work regarding fetal brain development in preterm birth. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the role of the interleukin-6/interleukin-6 receptor pathway in the development of intracerebral hemorrhage frequently occuring in premature infants.     

Differential activation of mononuclear phagocytes in cerebellar malformation associated with Walker–Warburg syndrome

Walker–Warburg syndrome (WWS) is an autosomal recessive disorder with alterations affecting the CNS that are characteristic of type‐II lissencephaly and dysplasia/hypoplasia of the cerebellum. Other than these features, WWS is typically also accompanied by muscular dystrophy and abnormalities affecting the eyes. There is at present little information on the state of microglial and mononuclear phagocytic cell responses within the brain in WWS. In this case report, we present evidence for focal and differential activation of mononuclear phagocytes specifically confined to the dysplastic cerebellum of an infant at 5 months of age, diagnosed with WWS.