bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain Metastasis from Prostate Small Cell Carcinoma: Not to be Neglected
Authors: Erasmus Corrie E. , Verhagen Wim I.M. , Wauters Carla A.P. , Lindert Erik J. van 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTBackground:Symptomatic brain metastases from prostatic carcinoma are rare (0.05% to 0.5%).Case report:A 70-year-old man presented with a homonymous hemianopsia due to brain metastatic prostatic carcinoma shortly before becoming symptomatic of prostatic disease. CT and MRI of the brain showed a tumour deep in the right hemisphere near the thalamus and involving the optic radiation.Results:Routine haematological and biochemical tests were normal. The prostate specific antigen level was low on two separate occasions. The prostatic and brain tumours showed identical appearances, namely of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (small cell carcinoma).Conclusion:A literature review suggests that small cell carcinoma of the prostate is more likely to spread to the brain compared to adenocarcinoma and that brain metastases indicate a poor prognosis. The prostate gland should be remembered as a possible cause of brain metastases and that a normal serum prostate specific antigen does not exclude this diagnosis.
Neuromagnetic Somatosensory Responses to Natural Moving Tactile Stimulation
Authors: Lin Yung-Yang , Kajola Matti 
Published: December 2014

Objective:To explore the somatosensory cortical responses to natural moving tactile stimulation in adult subjects using magnetoencephalography.Methods:We measured cortical somatosensory magnetic evoked fields (SEFs) to moving tactile stimuli by a brush over the right thumb once every 1.5 s in seven subjects. Electric SEFs with various intensity or simulated jitter were used for comparison.Results:Tactile SEFs in primary somatosensory cortex (SI) consisted of two deflections: N24mT and P55mT. Electric SEFs consisted of N24mE, P30mE, P40mE, and P55mE. The amplitude of N24mT was only 34% ± 12% of N24mE, whereas P55mT and P55mE were of about the same size. With increased jitter or decreased intensity, attenuation of electric SEFs was more clearly found in early deflection than late deflection.Conclusions:Natural moving tactile stimulation produced simpler cortical somatosensory waveforms in comparison with electric SEFs, partly related to less sharp intensity and stimulation jitter with moving tactile stimulation. We propose that of all the afferent fibers conveying the early deflection, the low threshold components participate the generation of the late deflection.
EEG Power Spectra Changes and Forebrain Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Mariucci Giuseppina , Stasi Maria Antonietta , Taurelli Roberto , Nardò Paolo , Tantucci Michela , Pacifici Licia , Carminati Paolo , Ambrosini Maria Vittoria 
Published: December 2014

Background:Several animal models of cerebral ischemia have been developed to investigate both pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment. The aim of this study was to verify the prognostic value of EEG power spectra analysis in a two-vessel plus hypotension rat model of transient global ischemia.Methods:Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) were subjected to 20 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion plus hypotension by sodium nitroprusside followed by reperfusion for seven days. Sham-operated animals served as controls. The changes after ischemia in EEG power spectra, and their relations with neuronal damage and astrocytic response were investigated.Results:The EEG analysis revealed that in SHRs and WKYs, ischemia produced a dramatic increase in delta activity and a decrease in theta, beta and alpha activities derived from both cortical and hippocampal areas. EEG activity reverted to normal values more quickly in WKYs than in SHRs which did not recover cortical and hippocampal alpha and beta activities even at six days of reperfusion. SHRs presented more severe damage and intense astrocytosis than WKYs in almost all the brain regions analyzed. In SHRs, hippocampal delta activity was positively correlated with the degree of neuronal necrosis and astrocytic activation, whereas theta, alpha and beta activities correlated negatively. No correlations were found in WKYs.Conclusions:These data indicate that the hippocampal bioelectrical activity recorded in SHRs from the beginning of reperfusion could be useful for predicting the ischemic outcome and evaluating the effects of pharmacological interventions.
Late Onset Polyneuropathy due to Organophosphate (DDVP) Intoxication
Authors: Sevim Serhan , Aktekin Mustafa , Dogu Okan , Ozturk Hakan , Ertas Mustafa 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT:Background:Organophosphate intoxication can cause some well-known life threatening acute neurological complications such as seizures, paralysis, neuromuscular and cardiac conduction disorders. Less often, a predominantly motor and delayed axonal neuropathy can occur. This syndrome is due to inhibition of neuropathy target esterase.Case Report:A 30-year-old woman attempted suicide by drinking approximately 1000mg/kg dimethyl-2,2-dichloro vinyl phosphate (DDVP). After a muscarinic and cholinergic syndrome lasting four days, she developed a purely motor distal axonal polyneuropathy on the fifth week after ingestion confirmed by electroneuromyography and sural nerve biopsy. Neurological examination and electroneuromyography revealed a slight recovery at the end of the 21st month.Conclusion:This case of late onset polyneuropathy caused by organophosphate intoxication had unusual features such as intact sensory nerves and worse prognosis when compared to previously reported cases.
National Hockey League Reported Concussions, 1986-87 to 2001-02
Authors: Wennberg R.A. , Tator C.H. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT:Objectives:To examine the longitudinal media reported rate of concussions in the National Hockey League (NHL) over the period 1986-87 to 2001-02.Methods:All injury reports published in the weekly sports newspaper The Hockey News for the 16 seasons 1986-87 through 2001-02 were reviewed for reported concussions. The Hockey News reports are based on weekly injury reports released by the NHL, which derive from reports submitted to the league by individual team offices.Results:Adjusted for changes in the number of teams and games per season over the 16 year study period, and expressed as: number of concussions per 1000 games, results by season (starting with 1986-87) were 4, 8, 7, 7, 5, 5, 7, 7, 6, 8, 13, 20, 30, 27, 30, 25. Comparing each season with the prior season, significant increases were reported in 1997-98 and 1998-99 (p<0.05 and 0.025, respectively), with no change since 1998-99.Conclusions:The reported concussion rate in the NHL during the last five years is more than triple that of the previous decade. Bigger, faster players, new equipment and harder boards and glass have all theoretically increased the risk of concussion in the NHL in recent years. However, the abrupt increase and subsequent plateau in concussion rate since 1997 suggests that increased recognition and reporting may be primarily responsible for the apparent increase in incidence.
Headache as a Predictive Factor of Severe Systolic Hypertension in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Hong Yoon-Ho , Lee Yong-Seok , Park Seong-Ho 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT:Background:Elevation of blood pressure (BP) is common in acute cerebral infarction, with several studies reporting a high plasma catecholamine level or previous hypertension as a contributory factor. However, more comprehensive studies on associated clinical parameters are lacking. Our main aim in undertaking this study was to correlate clinical variables associated with a BPelevation in acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency room and diagnosed with an acute cerebral infarction within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms were investigated. A BP elevation was defined as a high systolic (³200mmHg) or diastolic (³110 mmHg) pressure. The mean systolic and diastolic BP were compared between the different stroke subtypes, lesion locations (carotid vs. vertebrobasilar), and hemispheric sides. The frequency of symptoms, risk factors, location of the infarct, stroke severity, vascular status and laboratory abnormalities were analyzed in order to build a regression model.Results:One hundred thirty-one patients were recruited (M:F=60:71, mean age 66±12 years) and an elevated BP was identified in 33 patients (25.2%). The mean systolic and diastolic BP did not differ significantly between the stroke subtypes, lesion locations, and hemispheric sides. According to univariate logistic regression, an elevated systolic BP correlated with headache (p=0.01) and underlying hypertension (p=0.02) while an elevated diastolic BP correlated with underlying hypertension (p=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed previous hypertension (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.40-19.37) and headache (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.44-11.66) to be independent predictors of an elevated systolic BP.Conclusions:Headache itself is closely associated with severe systolic BP elevation in acute ischemic stroke. Whether treatment of elevated BP improves headache and clinical outcome is not yet known, necessitating future controlled studies.
Respiratory Pattern Changes in Sleep in Children on Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy
Authors: Nagarajan Lakshmi , Walsh Peter , Gregory Pauline , Stick Stephen , Maul Jennifer , Ghosh Soumya 
Published: December 2014

Background:An altered breathing pattern in sleep, over two to three weeks, reported by the parents of a child on Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy for refractory epilepsy, prompted a sleep study in him. His polysomnography (PSG) revealed respiratory irregularity concordant with VNS activation. Dyspnoea is a well recognised and reported side effect of the VNS. However there are only a few studies looking at respiration in sleep with VNS. We therefore undertook PSGs in seven other children on VNS.Methods:Sleep studies were undertaken, in accordance with standard clinical practice. Sleep and apnoeas and hypopneas were scored in accordance with conventional criteria. Respiratory pattern changes in sleep (RPCS) with VNS were looked for.Results:Respiratory pattern changes in sleep were seen during PSG in seven of eight children on VNS for refractory epilepsy. Decreased effort and tidal volume occurred in seven children, concordant with VNS activation. In one child, this was associated with a fall in respiratory rate, in the other six children with an increase. No study showed an apnoea/hypopnoea index in the abnormal range. The RPCS were not associated with significant hypoxia or hypercapnoea.Conclusion:Our results suggest that RPCS occur in most children with VNS. This is not surprising in view of the significant influence vagal afferents have on respiratory control centres. The RPCS did not appear to have a clinical impact in our group. However further investigations are suggested to explore this phenomenon, especially in patients with sleep apnoea syndromes or compromised respiratory function.
Variable Phenotype in a P102L Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Italian Family
Authors: Michele Giuseppe De , Pocchiari Maurizio , Petraroli Rossella , Manfredi Mario , Caneve Giorgio , Coppola Giovanni , Casali Carlo , Saccà Francesco , Piccardo Pedro , Salvatore Elena , Berardelli Alfredo , Orio Marcello , Barbieri Fabrizio , Ghetti Bernardino , Filla Alessandro 
Published: December 2014

Background:Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease is an autosomal dominant prion disease. The clinical features include ataxia, dementia, spastic paraparesis and extrapyramidal signs.Methods:We report a new large Italian family affected by Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease.Results:The four generation pedigree includes 11 patients. The mean age at onset ± SD was 41.4 ± 16.2 years. Mean disease duration to death in four patients was 5.5 ± 1.7 years. Two clinical patterns were evident: cognitive impairment with scarce neurological features or ataxia followed by cognitive impairment. Molecular analysis showed P102L mutation in PRNP gene.Conclusion:Three Italian families have been reported to date. The variable phenotype has already been reported, and does not appear related to the codon 129 polymorphism.
hnRNP A1 and A/B Interaction with PABPN1 in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Fan Xueping , Messaed Christiane , Dion Patrick , Laganiere Janet , Brais Bernard , Karpati George , Rouleau Guy A. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is an adult-onset disorder characterized by progressive ptosis, dysphagia and proximal limb weakness. The autosomal dominant form of this disease is caused by short expansions of a (GCG)6repeat to (GCG)8-13in the PABPN1 gene. The mutations lead to the expansion of a polyalanine stretch from 10 to 12-17 alanines in the N-terminus of PABPN1. The mutated PABPN1 (mPABPN1) induces the formation of intranuclear filamentous inclusions that sequester poly(A) RNA and are associated with cell death.Methods:Human fetal brain cDNA library was used to look for PABPN1 binding proteins using yeast two-hybrid screen. The protein interaction was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy cellular model and OPMD patient muscle tissue were used to check whether the PABPN1 binding proteins were involved in the formation of OPMD intranuclear inclusions.Results:We identify two PABPN1 interacting proteins, hnRNP A1 and hnRNP A/B. When co-expressed with mPABPN1 in COS-7 cells, predominantly nuclear protein hnRNP A1 and A/B co-localize with mPABPN1 in the insoluble intranuclear aggregates. Patient studies showed that hnRNP A1 is sequestered in OPMD nuclear inclusions.Conclusions:The hnRNP proteins are involved in mRNA processing and mRNA nucleocytoplasmic export, sequestering of hnRNPs in OPMD intranuclear aggregates supports the view that OPMD intranuclear inclusions are “poly(A) RNA traps”, which would interfere with RNA export, and cause muscle cell death.
Treadmill Training Effects on Neurological Outcome After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats
Authors: Yang Yea-Ru , Wang Ray-Yau , Wang Paulus Shyi-Gang , Yu Shang-Ming 
Published: December 2014

Background:Treadmill training is used for promoting rhythmical vigorous walking and for task-related training in patients with stroke. The neurological impact of treadmill training has not been established. The present investigation is aimed at (1) examining neurological changes over a four-week period after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats and (2) assessing the impact of one-week, two-week and four-week treadmill training in MCAO rats.Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60-minute right MCAO. All rats were randomly assigned to one of seven groups. Infarct volume and neurological score were measured.Results:Rats sacrificed 24 hours post MCAO had the largest infarct volumes (171.4 ± 14.4 mm3) and the highest neurological score (median: 2, range: 1-3). We noted that without treadmill training, infarct sizes and neurological score diminished with time. Treadmill training for at least one week further reduced infarct volume and significantly improved neurologic function in MCAO rats.Conclusion:Treadmill training after focal cerebral ischemia significantly improves neurological outcome in MCAO rats. Treadmill training may be beneficial for ischemic brain recovery.
Mefenamate, an Agent that Fails to Attenuate Experimental Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Kelly John J. , Auer Roland N. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Blockade of nonselective cation channels is a potential therapeutic approach that has not been attempted in cerebral ischemia, in spite of the ability of these channels to allow cellular calcium influx into neurons. Fenamates are a class of molecules that block these channels, and many congeners are also anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging. These three mechanisms may contribute to brain damage in ischemia.Methods:Pretreatment or posttreatment with mefenamate (30 mg/kg) was evaluated in a temperature-controlled rat transient focal ischemia model. Quantitative histopathology on 26 coronal sections allowed determination of tissue necrosis and tissue atrophy at one week survival.Results:Neither pre- nor postischemic administration of a dose previously shown effective in preventing epileptic neuronal necrosis was found to reduce necrosis in cortex, nor in any subcortical structures.Conclusions:We conclude that nonselective cation channel blockade with mefenamate affords no neuroprotection in this model. Publication bias against negative studies exists in the literature, but we here report negative findings due to the multiple potentially positive actions of the drug. Closer examination of the effects of the molecule, however, reveals several potentially negative effects as well. We conclude there may be inherent weakness in pharmacologic monotherapy, even with molecules having protean potentially beneficial effects. This conclusion seems to have been borne out by the results of recent clinical trials.
Intraspinal Transplantation of hNT Neurons in the Lesioned Adult Rat Spinal Cord
Authors: Christie Sean Dennis , Sadi Damaso , Mendez Ivar 
Published: December 2014

Background:The role of neural transplantation as a restorative strategy for spinal cord injury continues to be intensely investigated. Ideally, the tissue source for transplantation must be readily available, free of disease and able to survive and mature following implantation into the adverse environment created by the injury. We have studied the use of a commercially available cell line of cultured human neurons (hNT neurons) as a tissue source for neural transplantation in spinal cord injury.Methods:Following a left lateral thoracic hemisection, 54 immunosuppressed, female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into different treatment groups; hemisection only or hemisection and hNT cell transplantation (via a bridge, double or triple graft). Grafting occurred three days after spinal cord injury. After thirteen weeks the animals were sacrificed and tissue sections were stained with human neuron specific enolase and human specific neural cell adhesion molecule.Results:Immunohistochemical evidence of graft survival was displayed in 66.7% of the surviving, grafted animals. Fibre outgrowth, greatest in the bridge and triple grafts, was observed in both rostral and caudal directions essentially bridging the lesion. Double grafts were smaller, displaying less fibre outgrowth, which did not cross the lesion. Long fibre outgrowth was evident up to 2 cm from the graft as assessed by tracing and immunohistochemical studies.Conclusion:Bridge and triple grafts displayed greater growth and enabled the hNT graft to essentially bridge the lesion. This suggests that hNT neurons have the potential to structurally reconnect the proximal and distal spinal cord across the region of injury.
Fabry’s Disease Presenting as Stroke in a Young Female
Authors: Giacomini Paul S. , Shannon Patrick T. , Clarke Joe T.R. , Jaigobin Cheryl 
Published: December 2014

Background:Fabry’s disease is an X-linked disorder, caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A which results in the accumulation of the glycosphingolipid, ceramide trihexose in the vascular endothelium and can lead to cerebral infarction. Male hemizygotes are generally more severely affected than heterozygote females. Clinical disease in females is thought to be due to unequal X chromosome inactivation.Case:A 19-year-old woman, who was previously well, presented with neurological deficits secondary to basal ganglia and pontine infarction. Extensive cardiac, arterial and hematologic investigations did not identify the etiology of her stroke. Muscle biopsy revealed endothelial lysosomal aggregates most consistent with a diagnosis of Fabry’s disease. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of molecular genotype analysis.Discussion:Inherited causes of stroke such as Fabry’s disease should be considered in young patients with stroke if an etiologic diagnosis is not reached after complete investigations. Muscle biopsy can assist with the diagnosis and guide further investigations. This report summarizes the biochemical and histological features of Fabry’s disease and the associated genetic abnormalities.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Choroid Mimicking Intraventricular Meningioma
Authors: Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Chang Edward F. , Khan Saad A. , Lawton Michael T. , McDermott Michael W. 
Published: December 2014

Background:Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the choroid plexus is a rare condition and can be easily confused with meningioma.Methods:A 61-year-old female presented with progressive neurologic deterioration and MRI findings of obstructive hydrocephalus and a homogeneously contrast enhancing 3 cm oval mass in the trigone of the left lateral ventricle.Results:Despite radiologic, intraoperative gross features, and frozen pathology all consistent with meningioma, the final pathology revealed metastatic renal cell carcinoma.Conclusion:Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the choroid plexus can mimic intraventricular meningioma. We present a review of the literature and comparison of the radiological features of meningiomas and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We also discuss the use of an under-utilized technique, the contralateral transcallosal approach, in the surgical treatment of this intraventricular lesion.
Cell-Cycle Gene Expression in Lovastatin-Induced Medulloblastoma Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Wei , Macaulay Robert J.B. 
Published: December 2014

Background:3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, which generates precursors both for cholesterol biosynthesis and for the production of nonsteroidal mevalonate derivatives that are involved in a number of growth-regulatory processes. We have reported that lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, not only inhibits medulloblastoma proliferationin vitro, but also induces near-complete cell death via apoptosis. The mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear. Possible involvement of changes in expression of certain cell-cycle related genes led us to study some of them in more detail.Methods:Medulloblastoma cell lines were exposedin vitroto lovastatin, and the effects of gene expression changes were studied using RT-PCR, antisense oligonucleotide, DNA electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis.Results:1) Levels of totalRasgene mRNA and individualRasgene mRNA are stable in lovastatin treatment in all examined medulloblastoma cell lines. 2) Blockingc-mycgene over-expression does not enhance medulloblastoma cell sensitivity to lovastatin. 3) Following lovastatin treatment,p16expression exhibits no change, but pronounced increases of p27KIP1protein are observed in all examined cell lines. Lovastatin induces pronounced increases of p21WAF1protein only in Daoy and UW228, but not in D283 Med and D341 Med. 4) Following lovastatin treatment, increased p53 protein is detected only in D341 Med, and bax protein is unchanged in all cell lines.Conclusion:Lovastatin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in medulloblastoma are not dependent on the regulation ofRasandc-mycgene expression, but may be mediated byp27KIP1gene expression. Lovastatin-induced apoptosis in medulloblastoma is probably p53 independent, butp53andp21WAF1gene expression may also mediate anti-proliferative effects of lovastatin on specific medulloblastoma cell lines.