bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histochemical demonstration of monoamine oxidase‐containing neurons and an age‐related increase of the enzyme activity in the mouse brain
Authors: Yoshimura Noriaki , Sato Tsuyoshi , Nishimura Masahiko , Tohyama Chiharu
Published: May 2007

Monoamine‐containing neurons are especially rich in monoamine oxidase (MAO) and are clustered mainly within the brainstem and diencephalon. They are known to be affected in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. To investigate the distribution of MAO‐containing neurons and any changes in MAO activity with age, brains of male mice (C3H strain) in various age groups (n= 3–5) were studied histochemically and biochemically. Histochemical measurement of MAO activity (the coupled peroxidation method) clearly visualized the localization of MAO‐containing neurons in the mouse brain, such as locus coeruleus, nucleus centralis superior, nucleus raphe dorsalis, etcetera. The staining intensity (MAO activity) of these neurons, within both somata and neurites, increased with age and was accompanied by a moderate increase in neuropils. The biochemical assay (Kraml's method) revealed an age‐related increase in MAO activity, with an abrupt rise until 3 months of age, followed by a further gradual rise until 32 months of age, the age limit examined. To devise a method that is easily applicable to human tissues, the original histochemical method was modified; perfusion fixation was replaced by immersion fixation of sections for 1 min. The result was almost as good as that obtained by the original method. By this modified method, unfixed brains after decapitation of adult mice were kept at 4°C or −20°C for various time intervals and sequentially observed. The observations demonstrated that when brains were frozen immediately after killing and stored at −20°C for 24 h or longer, or cooled and stored at 4°C for 6 h or less, all proved to be suitable for morphological analysis of changes in MAO‐containing neurons. Therefore, this modified method should be applicable to human materials in such diseases as described above.
Brain tissue damage and regeneration monitored by β‐amyloid precursor protein in experimental laser‐induced interstitial thermotherapy
Authors: Schulze P.C. , Thal D.R. , Bettag M. , Schober R.
Published: May 2007

To study whether neuronal regeneration occurs after laserinduced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) of the brain, we examined lesions and their margins in adult Lewis rats with histological and immunohistochemical methods. We used the Bodian stain and antibodies against β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP), which has been associated with trophic effects in neural regeneration and against heat‐shock protein 72 (HSP 72) and neurofilament 68 (NF 68). The glial reaction was monitored with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and apolipoprotein E (Apo E). β‐Amyloid precursor protein showed a distinct temporal profile in areas of lesion margins thought to be associated with neurite sprouting and regeneration. Axonal accumulation of APP started 1 h after LITT and reached a maximum after 3 days. Heat‐shock protein 72 was weakly positive in isolated marginal neurons in the early postoperative period. Subsequent to GFAP expression, Apo E immunoreactivity was detected in reactive astrocytes but not in profiles thought to be axonal sprouts. The results showed that margins of LITT‐induced lesions contain profiles which resemble sprouting neurites and are similar to those found after injury or ischemia but with differences in the time course of reactive proteins.
Involvement of cell membrane factors in JC virus infection
Authors: Itoh Shigemi , Nukuzuma Souichi , Nukuzuma Chiyoko , Tanaka Shinya , Nagashima Kazuo
Published: May 2007

At present it remains unknown if the JC virus (JCV), the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, employs specific cellular receptors or cell membrane factors for viral entry. To investigate this, we have examined the cell‐specific replication of a chimeric JCV, which contains the control region (CR) cloned from JCI and the coding sequences of the prototype Mad‐1 virus. We examined and compared the hemagglutination (HA) titers produced during viral multiplication following microinjection, transfection with chloramphenicol acetyl‐transferase (CAT) assays, and inoculation using a permissive cell line IMR‐32 and three non‐permissive cell lines COS‐7, CV‐1, and A431. Virus microinjected into cells proliferated well in both IMR‐32 and COS‐7, but not in the non‐permissive CV‐1 and A431 cell lines. When cells were infected with the chimeric JCV, the HA titers were high in IMR‐32, low in COS‐7, and negative in the other cell lines. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays demonstrated that the CR was active in IMR‐32, COS‐7, and CV‐1, and inactive in A431 cells. The results suggest that not only nuclear, but also cell membrane factors play an important role in the susceptibility of cells to JCV infection.
Polymorphism in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type from a viewpoint of senile plaque formation
Authors: Yamaguchi Haruyasu
Published: May 2007

The present article describes polymorphism in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) from a view point of senile plaque formation. Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type is a disorder in which cerebral β amyloid deposition progresses with age and, finally, causes dementia. Aging, apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 gene and head trauma are risk factors for senile plaque formation. Senile plaques begin to appear in some subjects in their 40s, whereas other subjects over the age of 100 years do not have any senile plaques. The apoE gene and other unknown factors may cause this difference in the age onset of plaque formation. Plaque density reaches a plateau before clinical dementia appears. As a result, some non‐demented subjects have considerable amounts of senile plaques and it may take 20–30 years from the beginning of senile plaque formation for the clinical manifestations of dementia to appear. In this subclinical period, areas of plaque formation spread throughout the cortex from association areas to the primary cortex. The pattern of this progression is consistent in SDAT subjects and, therefore, the pattern of plaque distribution is an important factor for the pathological diagnosis of SDAT. The predominant plaque type is also different among subjects: whereas diffuse plaques are predominant in some SDAT subjects, typical plaques and amyloid angiopathy are predominant in others. This polymorphism cannot be explained by the apoE genotype. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between plaque formation and both known and yet unidentified risk factors in order to explain the polymorphism of SDAT.
Evaluation of p53 protein expression and proliferative potential based on the MIB‐1 positive index in astrocytic gliomas
Authors: Miyagami Mitsusuke , Nakamura Saburo
Published: May 2007

Fifty‐seven patients with infiltrative astrocytic gliomas, comprising 29 cases of glioblastoma, 13 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 15 cases of low‐grade astrocytoma, were examined. In 12 cases of astrocytic glioma, the p53 gene mutation was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). p53 overexpression was observed in 20 (35%) of the 57 patients with astrocytic gliomas. The occurrence of p53 overexpression was apparently correlated with the histological grading of the astrocytic gliomas. Of the 20 patients with glioblastoma who were less than 60 years old (mean age ± SD, 39.2 ± 15.0 years), 50% demonstrated p53 overexpression, whereas only 2 (22%) patients with glioblastoma who were more than 60 years old (mean age ± SD, 65.1 ± 5.8 years) had p53 overexpression. A substantial difference in survival associated with glioblastoma was noted between the p53‐positive group (mean survival 28.9 months) and the p53‐negative group (mean survival 11.3 months) based on Kaplan‐Meier survival curves (P= 0.01). Even among patients with glioblastoma who were less than 60 years old, a better survival rate was recognized in those with p53 overexpression than in those without p53 (P= 0.03). The MIB‐1 indices tended to increase with tumor malignancy, and a poor survival time was significantly associated with elevated values for the MIB‐1 index. A substantial difference in survival between the two groups of patients who had MIB‐1 indices of above 5% and below 5% was evident from the Kaplan‐Meier survival curves (P= 0.04). The group that had no p53, and MIB‐1 indices of above 5%, was found to show the malignant gliomas most frequently. Although most of the gliomas with p53 overexpression demonstrated MIB‐1 indices of above 5%, there was no significant correlation between p53 protein expression and the MIB‐1 index. Of the 12 patients with astrocytic glioma who were examined by PCR‐SSCP, 3 (one glioblastoma and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas) revealed p53 gene mutation correlated with p53 (DO‐7) overexpression.
Clinicopathological study of dementia in the elderly who died at home: A comparison of SDAT and non‐demented subjects with SDAT changes
Authors: Iijima Masaaki , Ishino Hiroshi , Seno Haruo , Inagaki Takuji
Published: May 2007

Forty‐eight elderly persons who resided and died at home are reported. Eight of the subjects (17%) were nondemented but had pathological changes of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Each of these subjects showed numerous hippocampal neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Five of the eight subjects demonstrated neocortical senile plaques (SP), such as typical plaques and primitive plaques with diffuse plaques, and one had NFT. The other three subjects did not have SP. The density of SP in hippocampal CA2, midbrain, pons, and cerebellum in SDAT were significantly higher than that of non‐demented subjects with SDAT changes. The density of SP and NFT in SDAT did not exceed that in non‐demented subjects with SDAT changes in the other areas. The distribution of SP in the hippocampal CA2, brainstem, and cerebellum will be useful for the histopathologic diagnosis of SDAT.
Tumor growth and biological markers in pituitary adenomas
Authors: Ikeda Hidetoshi , Yoshimoto Takashi
Published: May 2007

The characteristics of 56 cases of pituitary adenoma were analyzed to determine the relationship between tumor size, intratumoral hemorrhage, percentage of cells expressing cmyc or bcl‐2 protein (c‐Myc or Bcl‐2), Ki‐67 labeling index, pituitary hormone production, and apoptosis index. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between Ki‐67 labeling index and percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells (θ= 0.364, P= 0.007), percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells and percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells (θ= 0.453, P= 0.001), Ki‐67 labeling index and percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells (θ= 0.441, P= 0.001), percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells and the number of pituitary hormones produced (θ= 0.40, P= 0.004), and percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells and the number of pituitary hormones produced (θ= 0.39, P= 0.005). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells was significantly influenced (R2= 0.37, P < 0.0001) by Ki‐67 labeling index (t= 3.630, P= 0.0006), the number of pituitary hormones produced (t= 0.261, P= 0.0304), and the percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells (t= 1.112, P= 0.2711). Multiple regression analysis also showed that Ki‐67 labeling index was significantly influenced (R2= 0.34, P < 0.0001) by the percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells (t= 3.163, P= 0.0026), the percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells (t= 2.041, P= 0.0463), and tumor size (t= 1.714, P= 0.092). Tumor size was proved to be significantly influenced (R2= 0.10, P= 0.0242) by Ki‐67 labeling index (t= 2.067, P= 0.0437) and apoptosis index (t= 1.266, P= 0.0930). Since apoptosis index has no significant correlation with any of the above variables by Spearman's rank correlation analysis, tumor growth is well represented by the Ki‐67 labeling index. The equation (Ki‐67 labeling index) =–1.156 + 0.041 (percentage of c‐Myc‐labeled cells) + 0.014 (percentage of Bcl‐2‐labeled cells) + 0.037 (maximum diameter of the adenoma) indicates that large pituitary adenomas with a high percentage of cells expressing both c‐Myc and Bcl‐2 will have high proliferative activity. Therefore, the interaction of c‐Myc and Bcl‐2 is important in inducing tumor growth in large pituitary adenoma.
Temporal lobe pathology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Okamoto Koichi
Published: May 2007

The temporal lobes of 30 clinically and pathologically confirmed patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were examined. Among them, four patients showed mild to moderate mental changes. Ten patients, including four patients with mental changes, showed ubiquitinpositive inclusions in the temporal lobes, and 12 patients showed non‐specific degenerative changes, mainly in the limbic system. Focal neuronal depletions with gliosis in the subiculum were also observed in these 12 patients, and these lesions seemed to be secondary to perforant pathway damage. The fibers from the superficial layers of the lateral parts of the entorhinal cortices (perforant pathway) were probably depleted and these changes may play an important role in mental changes in dementia with ALS. The limbic system is occasionally affected in autopsy cases of patients with ALS, and more detailed clinicopathological studies are required.
Aging of the human limbic system: Observations of centenarian brains and analyses of genetic risk factors for senile changes
Authors: Yamada Masahito , Itoh Yoshinori , Sodeyama Nobuyuki , Suematsu Naomi , Otomo Eiichi , Matsushita Masaaki , Mizusawa Hidehiro
Published: May 2007

The purposes of the study are to elucidate the ultimate stage of aging of the limbic system with observations of centenarian brains compared with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), and to search for genetic factors that may influence formations of the senile changes in the limbic system. Neocortical as well as limbic regions of the brains from 13 centenarians were studied with younger control groups (average age about 80 years), that is 20 nondemented (ND) individuals and 20 patients with DAT. No centenarian subjects were clinically diagnosed as having DAT or satisfied neuropathological criteria for DAT. The densities of senile plaques (SP) in the centenarian brains tended to be higher than the ND subjects, but significantly lower than the DAT patients. The densities of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the hippocampal region were significantly higher in the centenarians compared with the ND subjects. Five centenarian brains had an especially large number of NFT in the hippocampal region, which were comparable with DAT; however, NFT in the neocortical areas of the centenarians were scarce in contrast with DAT. The results suggest that DAT would not be an accelerated condition of the aging process represented by the centenarian brains, but a disease caused by a different pathological process. Further, a study was conducted to determine whether the polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and presenilin‐1 (PS‐1) genes were associated with SP and NFT in the limbic and neocortical areas of the brains from the 122 autopsy cases, including 36 DAT patients and 86 ND subjects. ApoEε4 allele frequency was significantly higher in the DAT patients (22.2%) compared with the ND subjects (7.6%) (P= 0.001), and individuals with the ε4 allele had higher densities of SP and NFT in the hippocampus. Further, ND elderly subjects without senile changes in the neocortical as well as limbic areas showed a significantly lower frequency of the ε4 allele and a significantly higher frequency of the ε2 allele compared with the other subjects. The PS‐1 polymorphism was not associated with DAT, SP or NFT. The genetic polymorphisms of the other molecules may also contribute to expression of the age‐related changes of the limbic system.
Pyramidal cell orientation and density in the hippocampus in schizophrenia
Authors: Kuroki Noriomi , Matsushita Masaaki
Published: May 2007

Several neuropathological findings concerning the hippocampus in schizophrenic patients, which may support the temporal lobe dysfunction hypothesis, have recently been reported. Most of these reports demonstrated an absence of gliosis. These findings have been interpreted as evidence that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder rather than a neurodegenerative disorder. However, no consistent findings have been established. Some of the inconsistencies are probably the result of the small sample size. In the present study, pyramidal cell orientation and density of the hippocampus in 28 schizophrenic patients and 20 normal controls, and correlations between neuropathological findings and clinical features such as subtypes of schizophrenia and clinical symptoms, were examined. Significant differences in pyramidal cell orientation in the hippocampus was found between the schizophrenics and controls. Pyramidal cell disorientation was the most pronounced in catatonic subjects. Pyramidal cell density was slightly higher for schizophrenic subjects than for control subjects. No correlations were apparent between these findings and clinical symptoms. It can be concluded that there are some subgroups of schizophrenics which have abnormalities of pyramidal cell orientation in the hippocampus.
Cytological and transcriptional compartments in the cerebellum of the staggerer mouse
Authors: Nakagawa Shin
Published: May 2007

The cerebellum exhibits a uniform histo‐ and cyto‐architecture. However numerous anatomical and biochemical studies have suggested that the cerebellum is highly compartmentalized in the mediolateral and rostrocaudal axes. In this review, we have focused on cytological and transcriptional compartmentalization which is unique to the cerebellum in the staggerer mouse. The staggerer mouse carries a deletion in the gene encoding the nuclear hormone receptor RORα, which results in severe impairments of phenotypic differentiation of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC). This is characterized by reduced cell number, ectopia, smaller cell size and rudimentary dendrites without tertiary dendritic spines. Purkinje cells with different cytological features were distributed in discrete mediolateral regions within the staggerer cerebellum. Overlapping with the cytological compartments, PC with different levels for calbindin and inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 mRNA, which are homogeneously expressed in adult wild‐type mice, form distinct transcriptional compartments. Furthermore, some compartments are associated with additional expression of NMDA receptor channel subunit mRNA which are absent in wild‐type PC. Although the unique compartmentalization observed in the staggerer cerebellum emerges as the result of RORα gene mutation, there are no mediolateral differences in the RORα expression itself in the wild‐type PC at any developmental stage. Thus, the formation of cytological and transcriptional compartments in the staggerer mouse should be ascxibed to RORα‐independent, cellular/molecular mechanisms which operate unevenly along the mediolateral cerebellar axis. With the cooperation of RORα‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms, the PC attains full cytodifferentiation during cerebellar development.
Differential polymerase chain reaction and immunohistological studies on amplification and expression of cyclin D1 gene in human glioma tissues
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Onto Takashi , Iwasaki Yuzo , Sakurai Yoshiharu , Uenohara Hiroshi , Suzuki Shinsuke , Takei Hidehiro , Tezuka Fumiaki
Published: May 2007

Using differential polymerase chain reaction we studied the amplification of the cyclin D1 gene in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded surgical specimens of 70 gliomas. We also examined expression of cyclin D1 in these gliomas, and the Ki‐67 labeling indices in 24 glioblastomas by immunohistochemistry. Among 70 gliomas, amplification of cyclin D1 gene was found in only one glioblastoma. The expression of cyclin D1 was immunohistochemically detected in only one glioblastoma with cyclin D1 gene amplification. The highest labeling index of Ki‐67, 48.0%, was noted in one of cyclin D1 positive glioblastoma (the average labeling index of 30.2% in cyclin D1 negative glioblastomas). These results suggest that amplification of cyclin D1 gene could play a role in the development of glioblastoma but it is unlikely to be the main gene alteration in malignant progression of gliomas in the majority of cases.
Alteration in hippocampal and cerebral expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein following styrene exposure in rat
Authors: Wang Yu‐ping , Saito Takeshi , Hosokawa Toshiyuki , Saito Kazuo
Published: May 2007

In order to investigate the neuropathological effects on the central nervous system of the rat by styrene exposure, identification of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed using immunohistochemical staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy in the rat treated with styrene at 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Both styrene‐treated groups showed a marked increase of GFAP expression in cerebral cortex and hippocampus compared with the control group. These changes showed a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Increased expression of GFAP in cerebral cortex and hippocampus provided the effects of styrene on the structüre of cerebral cortex and hippocampus objectively.
Fine structure of epithelioid cells in cerebral tuberculoma
Authors: Nakamura Saburo , Yoshida Kenshi , Furuichi Makoto , Watanabe Hiroshi
Published: May 2007

The ultrastructure of epithelioid cells from a tuberculous granuloma in the cerebrum of a 26‐year‐old male was studied. Light microscopic examinations of the border zone of the brain tuberculoma constantly revealed epithelioid cells. Fine structural examinations demonstrated two main types (type 1 and type 2) of epithelioid cells. Both types of epithelioid cells contained similar large pale nuclei. The cell membrane had many finger‐like processes interdigitating with those of the adjacent cells. The type 1 cells were distinguished by the presence of abundant organellae such as lamellar rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria making a dark tone of cytoplasm. The type 2 cells showed a pale cytoplasm containing a few Golgi complexes and associated variably shaped vesicles. Another finding of note in the type 2 cells was the presence of subplasmalemmal linear densities (SLD). The morphology of the type 1 epithelioid cells was reminiscent of that of plasma cells displaying a biosynthetic function. Type 2 epithelioid cells with SLD, however, appeared to have a reduced biosynthetic function and to have contributed to a persistence of the granuloma structure. Neither type revealed identifiable phagocytosed material, and evidence of pinocytosis was practically absent. The presence of morphologic features of transitional cells, intermediate between type 1 and type 2 cells, suggests that these cells are related. It appears likely that type 1 is an early form of type 2. This is supported by the fact that type 2 corresponded roughly to the type ‘B’, which is thought to be a terminal‐stage cell. Furthermore, dying cells exhibited the structure of type 2 rather than type 1 cells.
MERRF/MELAS overlap syndrome associated with 3243 tRNALeu(UUR) mutation of mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Onishi Yoji , Yamazaki Motoyoshi , Shibuya Hiroyuki , Tanno Yoshinori , Tsuji Shoji
Published: May 2007

We report a case of myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged‐red fibers (MERRF)/mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke‐like episode (MELAS) overlap syndrome with hearing loss, external ophthalmoplegia, and myoclonus epilepsy in addition to stroke‐like episode and diabetes mellitus. Pathologically, there was degeneration in the dentate nuclei, substantia nigra, red nucleus, and subthalamic nucleus which has been reported as characteristic of MERRF, as well as necrotic lesions of various stages in the cerebral cortex, characteristic of MELAS. The gene study disclosed 3243 mutation in the tRNALeu(UUR) gene of mitochondrial DNA. This case is the first neuropathological report of MERRF/MELAS overlap syndrome verified by gene analyses.
Neuroepithelial cyst of the cerebellopontine angle: A case report with a review of the literature
Authors: Shuangshoti Samruay , Shuangshoti Shanop
Published: May 2007

A 44‐year‐old woman had occasional headaches and dysfunction of the facial and trigeminal nerves on the left side as well as ataxia. These clinical manifestations disappeared after removal from the left cerebellopontine angle of a 3 × 4.5 × 5‐cm prealbumin‐positive cyst of the choroid plexus epithelium, a type of neuroepithelial cyst. A review of 57 reported cases of neuroepithelial cysts in the posterior cranial fossa disclosed 32 symptomatic cysts (56%) and 25 symptomless cysts (44%). The recorded age of 35 patients ranged from 5.5 months to 65 years with the average age of 30 years for both genders; 14% of patients were less than 1‐year‐old. The ratio of males and females was 1:1. The cysts were located at the following sites: fourth ventricle (51%); intraneural substance as in cerebellar vermis, pons and mesencephalon (7%), and posterior cranial fossa proper (42%) especially in the cerebellopontine angle (18%). The pathogenesis of these cysts is proposed to be related to developmental anomaly of the neuroepithelium which also includes the ectopic neuroepithelial elements. Surgical extirpation of the cyst is the treatment of choice. Total resection should be attempted if it is feasible depending on where the cyst is situated. Fenestrating the cyst wall is also a useful surgical procedure in order to allow communication between the cyst contents and the pathway of the cerebrospinal fluid for abolishing the increased intracranial pressure.
A case of brain‐biopsy proven progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: Pathological findings and analysis of JC virus regulatory region
Authors: Wakutani Yosuke , Shimizu Yasutaka , Miura Hiroshi , Nakashima Kenji , Nakano Toshiya , Ohama Eisaku , Sugimoto Chie , Yogo Yoshiaki , Kobayashi Yoshiyasu , Nagashima Kazuo
Published: May 2007

A 57‐year‐old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia developed neurological abnormalities. Brain biopsy revealed enlarged and basophilic nuclear cells with bizarre astrocytes on the background of demyelination, which are the characteristic histological findings of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Immuno‐histochemical analysis confirmed JC virus infection. Analysis of the viral regulatory regions demonstrated two different clones. DNA sequences of both clones showed a constant rearrangement of duplication and deletion, which was characteristic of the PML type of JC virus.
Venous congestive myelopathy of the cervical spinal cord: An autopsy case showing a rapidly progressive clinical course
Authors: Kimura Akio , Tan Chun‐Feng , Wakida Kenji , Saio Masanao , Hozumi Isao , Inuzuka Takashi , Takahashi Hitoshi
Published: May 2007

We report a rapidly progressive myelopathy in a 74‐year‐old Japanese man who was admitted to our hospital with a 4‐month history of progressive gait disturbance and died of pneumonia followed by respiratory failure on the 22nd day of admission. During the course of his illness, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intramedullary lesions with edematous swelling from the medulla oblongata to the spinal cord at the level of the fourth vertebra. After administration of contrast medium, the ventral portion of the lesion was mildly and irregularly enhanced and a dilated vessel was recognized along the ventral surface of the upper cervical cord. At autopsy, ischemic changes were observed in the upper‐to‐middle cervical cord segments, with so‐called arterialized veins in the subarachnoid space. No neoplastic lesions were found within or outside the brain and spinal cord. These pathological findings were essentially those of venous congestive myelopathy (VCM) associated with dural arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), formerly known as Foix–Alajouanine syndrome. VCM associated with dural AVF, which is now considered to be treatable in the early stages, is rare found in the cervical spinal cord. The present autopsy case, with MRI findings, provides further information that might be useful for recognition and diagnosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with dementia showing clinical parkinsonism and severe degeneration of the substantia nigra: Report of an autopsy case
Authors: Shintaku Masayuki , Oyanagi Kiyomitsu , Kaneda Daita
Published: May 2007

An autopsy case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with dementia (ALS‐D) showing clinically overt parkinsonism and severe degeneration of the substantia nigra is reported. The patient was a 78‐year‐old man who died after a 2‐year clinical course characterized by parkinsonism that was responsive to Levodopa (L‐DOPA) treatment. Motor neuron symptoms and dementia were not apparent ante‐mortem. The autopsy demonstrated the severe degeneration of the substantia nigra without α‐synucleinopathy‐related changes. Finely granular mineralization of necrotic neurons was a unique finding in the substantia nigra. The mild loss of spinal anterior horn cells, the appearance of several Bunina bodies and the degeneration of the hippocampal subiculum and temporal cortex were also noted. A small number of ubiquitinated intra‐cytoplasmic inclusions were found in neurons of the dentate fascia of the hippocampus and the temporal and frontal cortices. Although the degeneration of the substantia nigra is a common finding in ALS‐D, patients seldom develop clinically overt parkinsonism. This case indicates that patients with ALS‐D rarely present with predominantly parkinsonian clinical features and these symptoms and signs can be improved by L‐DOPA treatment.
A presenilin 1 mutation (L420R) in a family with early onset Alzheimer disease, seizures and cotton wool plaques, but not spastic paraparesis
Authors: Shrimpton Antony E. , Schelper Robert L. , Linke Reinhold P. , Hardy John , Crook Richard , Dickson Dennis W. , Ishizawa Takashi , Davis Richard L.
Published: May 2007

Over 100 mutations in the presenilin‐1 gene (PSEN1) have been shown to result in familial early onset Alzheimer disease (EOAD), but only a relatively few give rise to plaques with an appearance like cotton wool (CWP) and/or spastic paraparesis (SP). A family with EOAD, seizures and CWP was investigated by neuropathological study and DNA sequencing of the PSEN1 gene. Aβ was identified in leptomeningeal vessels and in cerebral plaques. A single point mutation, p.L420R (g.1508T > G) that gives rise to a missense mutation in the eighth transmembrane (TM8) domain of PS1 was identified in two affected members of the family. p.L420R (g.1508T > G) is the mutation responsible for EOAD, seizures and CWP without SP in this family.
Human astrocytes express aquaporin‐1 and aquaporin‐4 in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Satoh Jun‐ichi , Tabunoki Hiroko , Yamamura Takashi , Arima Kunimasa , Konno Hidehiko
Published: May 2007

Aquaporins (AQP) constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of integral membrane water transport channel proteins. Previous studies indicate that AQP1 is expressed exclusively in the choroid plexus epithelium, while AQP4 is localized on the vascular foot of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) under physiological conditions. To investigate a role of AQP in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases involving astrogliosis we studied the expression of AQP1 and AQP4 in cultured human astrocytes and brain tissues of multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral infarction and control cases. By reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, cultured human astrocytes co‐expressed both AQP1 and AQP4 mRNA and proteins, where AQP4 levels were elevated by exposure to interferon‐gamma but neither by tumor necrosis factor‐alpha nor interleukin‐1beta, whereas AQP1 levels were unaffected by any of the cytokines examined. By western blot analysis, AQP1 and AQP4 proteins were detected in the brain homogenates of the MS and non‐MS cases, where both levels were correlated with those of glial fibrillary acid protein. By immunohistochemistry, astrocytes with highly branched processes surrounding blood vessels, along with glial scar, expressed intensely AQP1 and AQP4 in MS and ischemic brain lesions, whereas neither macrophages, neurons nor oligodendrocyte cell bodies were immunopositive. These immunohistochemical results indicate that the expression not only of AQP4 but also of AQP1 was enhanced in MS and ischemic brain lesions located predominantly in astrocytes, suggesting a pivotal role of astrocytic AQP in the maintenance of water homeostasis in the CNS under pathological conditions.
Psychological morbidity and burnout in palliative care doctors in Western Australia
Authors: Dunwoodie D. A. , Auret K.
Published: May 2007

Background: Medicine and particularly palliative care are considered to be stressful professions, with risks of psychological morbidity and burnout. There is little published work quantitatively documenting their prevalence among medical practitioners practising in palliative care.

Methods: Three questionnaires, including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, were sent to palliative care practitioners in Western Australia.

Results: Forty‐one of 43 (95%) practitioners completed the questionnaires. The mean score on the GHQ‐12 was 1.9 (range 0–8), with 11 (27%) scoring 4 or more. On the Maslach Burnout Inventory, mean scores on the emotional exhaustion (EE, mean 17.5, range 1–47) and depersonalization subscales (DP, 4.5, 0–24) fell within the low range, with scores for personal accomplishment (39, 32–46) falling within the average range. Ten respondents (24%) scored high on either the EE subscale or the DP subscale, meeting criteria for burnout. GHQ‐12 scores were associated with hours of work per week in palliative care (P = 0.004). The EE (P = 0.024) and DP (P = 0.006) components of burnout were associated with years of work in palliative care. Specialist practitioners were more likely to score in the high category for GHQ‐12 (odds ratio = 4.8, P = 0.036) and EE (odds ratio = 8.33, P = 0.031). GHQ (P = 0.038) and DP (P = 0.006) scores were higher in those working in tertiary institutions, with tertiary practitioners more likely to be in the high EE category (odds ratio = 7.5, P = 0.034).

Conclusion: Levels of psychiatric morbidity and burnout in palliative medicine are not higher than in other specialties.
Vitamin D deficiency in a multinational refugee population
Authors: Wishart H. D. , Reeve A. M. F. , Grant C. C.
Published: May 2007

Background: Populations with increased skin pigmentation who have migrated to countries of high latitude are at increased risk of low vitamin D. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of low vitamin D among the refugee population arriving in New Zealand.

Methods: An audit of all refugees arriving at the national refugee resettlement centre from May 2004 to May 2005 was carried out. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were measured and defined as normal (50–150 nmol/L) or low, with low subdivided into insufficient (25 to <50 nmol/L) and deficient (<25 nmol/L). Whether vitamin D status varied with age and sex was determined.

Results: Vitamin D was measured in 869 (99%) of the refugees and was low in 470 (54%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 51–57%). It was insufficient in 323 (37%, 95%CI 34–41%) and deficient in 147 (17%, 95%CI 15–20%). Female sex was associated with at least a 10 times increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (relative ratio 13.93, 95%CI 10.15–17.96). Women aged between 17 and 45 years and men aged 46 years and more were at greatest risk.

Conclusion: Poor vitamin D status is prevalent among refugees arriving in New Zealand. Women, particularly those of child‐bearing age are at greatest risk. Screening and ongoing surveillance for vitamin D deficiency should be considered for all recent refugee immigrants to New Zealand.
Delirium in elderly general medical inpatients: a prospective study
Authors: Iseli R. K. , Brand C. , Telford M. , LoGiudice D.
Published: May 2007

Background: More than 49% of all US hospital days are spent caring for patients with delirium. There are few Australian data on this important condition. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of delirium in older medical inpatients in a metropolitan teaching hospital, the incidence of known risk factors and current practice in identifying and managing patients at risk of this condition.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years or more, and admitted to a general medical unit, were eligible for study inclusion. Participants were screened with an Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and chart review. Confusion Assessment Method was used to diagnose delirium if confusion was documented or AMTS <8. Barthel Index (BI), demographics, delirium risk factors and management were recorded.

Results: Prevalent delirium was diagnosed in 19 of 104 (18%) and incident delirium in 2 of 85 (2%) participants. Pre‐existing cognitive impairment and admission AMTS <8 were strongly associated with prevalent delirium (P‐values <0.01). Age >80 years, Barthel Index ≤50, use of high‐risk medications and electrolyte disturbance were also associated with prevalent delirium. Prevalent delirium was not recognized by the treating unit in 4 of 19 cases (21%). Five of 104 (4.8%) of participants had a formal cognitive assessment on admission. One of 19 patients (5.3%) with prevalent delirium had an orientation device in their room.

Conclusion: Pre‐existing cognitive impairment and admission AMTS are strong predictors of delirium. Despite this, formal cognitive assessment is not routinely carried out in elderly medical patients. Recognition of delirium may be improved by routine cognitive assessment in elderly medical patients.
Environmental and plant community determinants of species loss following nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Clark Chris M. , Cleland Elsa E. , Collins Scott L. , Fargione Joseph E. , Gough Laura , Gross Katherine L. , Pennings Steven C. , Suding Katherine N. , Grace James B.
Published: May 2007

Global energy use and food production have increased nitrogen inputs to ecosystems worldwide, impacting plant community diversity, composition, and function. Previous studies show considerable variation across terrestrial herbaceous ecosystems in the magnitude of species loss following nitrogen (N) enrichment. What controls this variation remains unknown. We present results from 23 N‐addition experiments across North America, representing a range of climatic, soil and plant community properties, to determine conditions that lead to greater diversity decline. Species loss in these communities ranged from 0 to 65% of control richness. Using hierarchical structural equation modelling, we found greater species loss in communities with a lower soil cation exchange capacity, colder regional temperature, and larger production increase following N addition, independent of initial species richness, plant productivity, and the relative abundance of most plant functional groups. Our results indicate sensitivity to N addition is co‐determined by environmental conditions and production responsiveness, which overwhelm the effects of initial community structure and composition.
Altitudinal gradients of grassland carbon and nitrogen isotope composition are recorded in the hair of grazers
Authors: Männel Tobias Tassilo , Auerswald Karl , Schnyder Hans
Published: May 2007

Aim  The hair of grazers provides an isotopic record of environmental and nutritional signals. Here, we assess the effect of altitude on the carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of the hair of ruminant grazers and its relation to grassland vegetation, to evaluate the use of hair isotope data for ecosystem reconstruction, animal nutritional ecology and biogeochemical studies in montane environments.

Location  European Alps.

Methods  We sampled grassland vegetation (pure C3) and the hair of ruminants along an altitudinal gradient (400–2500 m), and analysed their isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N). Results were compared with published effects of altitude on 13C in C3 plants at the species level and on 15N at the community level. The study was complemented with a comparison of diet and hair isotope composition in ruminants held in confinement.

Results  δ13C of hair increased (c. 1.1‰ km−1) and δ15N decreased (c. 1.1‰ km−1) with altitude. The same changes occurred in local grassland vegetation, and in regional to global grassland data sets. Offsets between hair and vegetation 13C or 15N (‘diet–hair shift’) were independent of altitude. Sheep (Ovis aries) and cattle (Bos taurus) exhibited a 13C shift near +3‰, but that of goats (Capra hircus) was larger (+4.2‰) in alpine environments and in confinement. The diet–hair shift for 15N was more variable (+2.1 to +3.6‰).

Main conclusions  Grazer hair provides a faithful spatially and temporally integrated record of grassland isotope composition, useful for ecosystem and environment reconstruction. The effect of altitude on hair 15N is important for studies of trophic relationships: an altitude shift of 2000 m produced the same effect in hair 15N as would a shift from an animal tissue‐based to a plant‐based diet. The similarity of altitude effects on δ13C of individual plant species, vegetation and hair indicates that the effect of altitude on species‐level ‘intrinsic water use efficiency’ scales up linearly to the community and landscape level.
Latitudinal patterns of range size and species richness of New World woody plants
Authors: Weiser Michael D. , Enquist Brian J. , Boyle Brad , Killeen Timothy J. , Jørgensen Peter M. , Fonseca Gustavo , Jennings Michael D. , Kerkhoff Andrew J. , Lacher Jr Thomas E. , Monteagudo Abel , Vargas M. Percy Núñez , Phillips Oliver L. , Swenson Nathan G. , Martínez Rodolfo Vásquez
Published: May 2007

Aim Relationships between range size and species richness are contentious, yet they are key to testing the various hypotheses that attempt to explain latitudinal diversity gradients. Our goal is to utilize the largest data set yet compiled for New World woody plant biogeography to describe and assess these relationships between species richness and range size.

Location North and South America.

Methods We estimated the latitudinal extent of 12,980 species of woody plants (trees, shrubs, lianas). From these estimates we quantified latitudinal patterns of species richness and range size. We compared our observations with expectations derived from two null models.

Results  Peak richness and the smallest‐ and largest‐ranged species are generally found close to the equator. In contrast to prominent diversity hypotheses: (1) mean latitudinal extent of tropical species isgreaterthan expected; (2) latitudinal extent appears to be decoupled from species richness across New World latitudes, with abrupt transitions across subtropical latitudes; and (3) mean latitudinal extents show equatorial and north temperate peaks and subtropical minima. Our results suggest that patterns of range size and richness appear to be influenced by three broadly overlapping biotic domains (biotic provinces) for New World woody plants.

Main conclusions Hypotheses that assume a direct relationship between range size and species richness may explain richness patternswithinthese domains, but cannot explain gradients in richnessacrossthe New World.
On Exact Error Bounds for View‐Dependent Simplification
Authors: Eisemann E. , Décoret X.
Published: May 2007

In this article we present an analytical closed‐form expression to ensure exact error bounds for view‐dependent simplification which is of importance for several algorithms. The present work contains proofs and solutions for the general 2D case and particular 3D cases.

Most preceding works rely on coarse heuristics, that might fail and/or restrict movements or object representations. We introduce the notion of validity regions as the complete set of possible simplifications respecting a given error bound between the object and its simplification. The approach handles arbitrary polygonal viewcells which allow for free movement in the interior. We show how to compute these regions for mesh points and faces. Since the validity region of a face accounts for all its points, properties like silhouette preservation and textures are gracefully handled. This is not the case if the error is controlled only at the face's vertices or edges.
Efficient RANSAC for Point‐Cloud Shape Detection
Authors: Schnabel R. , Wahl R. , Klein R.
Published: May 2007

In this paper we present an automatic algorithm to detect basic shapes in unorganized point clouds. The algorithm decomposes the point cloud into a concise, hybrid structure of inherent shapes and a set of remaining points. Each detected shape serves as a proxy for a set of corresponding points. Our method is based on random sampling and detects planes, spheres, cylinders, cones and tori. For models with surfaces composed of these basic shapes only, for example, CAD models, we automatically obtain a representation solely consisting of shape proxies. We demonstrate that the algorithm is robust even in the presence of many outliers and a high degree of noise. The proposed method scales well with respect to the size of the input point cloud and the number and size of the shapes within the data. Even point sets with several millions of samples are robustly decomposed within less than a minute. Moreover, the algorithm is conceptually simple and easy to implement. Application areas include measurement of physical parameters, scan registration, surface compression, hybrid rendering, shape classification, meshing, simplification, approximation and reverse engineering.
Rethinking teacher preparation for EBD students: towards a partnership model
Authors: BLAKE CHRISTOPHER , MONAHAN ELIZABETH C.
Published: May 2007

Chris Blake and Elizabeth Monahan explore the role that partnerships play in developing effective teachers working with children and young people who present Emotional and Behavioural difficulties. A range of innovations in the United States are highlighted and the key emphasis is place upon a continuum of teacher development.
Towards inclusion: an Australian perspective
Authors: FORBES FIONA
Published: May 2007

This article outlines the views of the Australian Special Education Principals' Association (ASEPA) on inclusion and the impact this is having on Australian Government Schools from a school based perspective. ASEPA is a relatively young association and was formed in 1997 out of the need to put forward the case to support students with special needs and disabilities nationally, due to the inability of the other peak educational bodies to adequately cover the special education area, while covering so many other areas relevant to the day to day operations of schools. Meeting the needs of special needs and disability students is the core business of ASEPA. Fiona Forbes, ASEPA's Vice President, covers areas such as parental choice, schools and their ability to meet the needs of students with special needs and disabilities, teacher training and the type of schools needed in the future to further develop effective programmes for ‘all’ students.
The British Government's strategy for SEN: implications for the role and future development of special schools
Authors: BAKER JOHN
Published: May 2007

In July 2006, the House of Commons Education and Skills Committee reported on Special Educational Needs. The report expressed concern over the Government's policy on SEN, especially as it relates to inclusion and to the confusion this has created for special schools. In this article I shall attempt to tease out what I believe to be the government's policy on special schools, drawing on the 2004 report Removing Barriers to Achievement: the Government's Strategy for SEN and other related documents. From an analysis of the texts and drawing on my own lengthy experience working in special schools, I believe two central themes emerge for the role of special schools: (a) that of providing schooling for pupils with the most severe and complex SEN; and (b) using their expertise to provide outreach support to mainstream schools for pupils with SEN.

The writer is currently following an EdD course of study at the Institute of Education, University of London and this article draws on an assignment he prepared on Contemporary Policy.