Canavan's disease (CD) is a hereditary leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the aspartoacylase gene (ASPA), leading to spongiform degeneration of the white matter and severe impairment of psychomotor development. We present the cases of two non-Jewish sisters with CD that have a milder and protracted clinical course compared to typical CD. MRI imaging revealed bilateral high-signal-intensity areas in the thalami and the internal capsule and MR spectroscopy showed typical findings for CD (a marked increase in N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimal studies suggest that maternal separation, a widely used paradigm to study the effects of early life adversity, exerts a profound and life-long impact on both brain and behavior. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether adverse early life experiences interact with neonatal hypoxia-ischemia, affecting the outcome of this neurological insult at both functional and structural levels during adulthood. Rat pups were separated from their mothers during postnatal days 1-6, for either a short (15 min) or prolonged (180 min) period, while another group was left undisturbed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The pathophysiologic mechanism of allergy is dependent on the action of many redox-sensitive proinflammatory mediators. However, even though redox disturbances are believed to be a hallmark of inflammation, little is known of the effect of redox imbalance to the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. We thus opted to investigate the relation of oxidative stress and allergic rhinitis, through the utilization of a potent antioxidant substance (N-acetylcysteine [NAC]) in a rat model of allergic rhinitis and the evaluation of its action on specific markers of inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the study was to investigate age-related changes in electrogustometry (EGM) thresholds, in morphology and density of the fungiform papillae (fPap) and in vessels' shape and density at the tip of the human tongue.In 156 nonsmokers (74 males, 82 females; age range: 10-80 years), divided in age groups, EGM thresholds at the chorda tympani area, at the soft palate area, and at the area of the vallate papillae were recorded bilaterally. Morphology and density of the fPap and blood vessels' density and morphology at the tip of the tongue were examined using contact endoscopy (CE).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biol Regul Homeost Agents
December 2011
7, 12- Dimethylbenz-(a)-anthracene (DMBA) has been used for a long time to induce rat mammary gland carcinogenesis. In a previous paper we described the effects of diet, of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the combination of these two factors on breast cancer. We also pointed out that DMBA tumor generating process is still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPulpitis is a typical inflammatory disease of dental pulp, characterized by the local accumulation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines. In addition to serving as intercellular messengers mediating the inflammatory response, cytokines and chemokines induce the expression and stimulate the activity of molecular and cellular agents which participate actively in destructive and reparative processes in the pulp. It is the balance between these processes which eventually determines the extent of pulp inflammation and the viability of the affected tooth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin
April 2011
Both the forward and inverse problems of electrocardiography rely on the precise modelling of the anatomic and electrical properties of the thoracic tissues. This, in turn, requires good knowledge of the electrical anisotropy as well as conductivity inhomogeneity of the heart, lungs and the rest of the thorax. Cardiac electrical anisotropy is related to its microstructure (fibre length, density and orientation).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To measure changes over time in the latency and amplitude of the major waves of auditory event-related potentials (AERP) and their correlation with the memory status of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Methods: AERPs were recorded in 22 MCI patients (mean±SD age=67.4±7.
Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov
June 2010
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is rapidly grooving incidence that affects millions of people worldwide, therefore there is an immediate need for its' early and accurate diagnosis. Many research studies have been performed on possible accurate and reliable diagnostic biomarkers of AD. This review study provides an overview on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins that are used as biochemical markers for the early diagnosis of AD and their future prospects, as well as relevant patents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The aim of the current statement is to agree on: (1) what is the current situation with education and training on dementia in Europe; (2) what are the minimum educational requirements for professionals (neurologists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, nurses, biologists, neuroradiologists, etc.) regarding Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and (3) how to start a course of action for the future.
Design: In 2005, a simple questionnaire was sent to members of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium (EADC) concerning the education and training on dementia in their countries.
There is evidence that proneness to experience psychological distress is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, an attempt is made to examine the possible association between stressful events and cognitive impairment of the elderly, based on a sample of 1271 patients (500 male, 771 female) diagnosed with dementia according to the DSM-IV criteria and 140 age- and gender-matched cognitive healthy subjects. All patients were recruited from the Memory and Dementia Outpatient Clinic of the 3rd University Department of Neurology in "G.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic role of CSF beta amyloid(1-42) levels and auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) in the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: In fifty three MCI patients a lumbar puncture was performed and beta amyloid(1-42) levels were determined. Twenty patients were re-examined after 11 months.
We present a case of a 74-year-old Greek male who suffered from paraphasias, memory and orientation problems. The patient was assessed with neuropsychometric tests, auditory event-related potentials and cerebrospinal fluid proteins and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The emphasis on the case is on the unexplained high levels of P300 and Slow wave of the auditory event-related potentials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid(1-42) levels and auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) in the progress of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: In 53 MCI patients, lumbar puncture was performed and beta-amyloid(1-42) levels were determined. Twenty patients were reexamined after 11 months.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of CSF cytochrome c levels and auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) on the progress of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fifty one patients diagnosed with MCI and fourteen healthy individuals underwent lumbar puncture at baseline and their CSF cytochrome c levels were determined. A follow-up examination of cytochrome c levels took place in 20 patients after 11 months and in this period five of the patients progressed to AD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effects of diet, of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or of their combination on carcinogenesis continue to be a case for controversy. Diets that are high in fat have been linked to increased risk of various tumors. At the same time there is substantial, but not conclusive, evidence that the risk of breast and colon cancer correlates with total fat intake rather than a specific type of fat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn cardiac transplantation has been recognized some "abnormalities" in recipient ECG. We investigated the influence of heart geometrical position within the chest cavity as well as somatometric parameters on body surface torso potentials. Two control patients with different Body Mass Index (BMI) were undergone a chest MRI scan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStud Health Technol Inform
June 2009
Following fixation and MRI imaging a post-mortem human heart was sliced at the sagittal plane. Each anatomical section was then cut into smaller segments and each one was objected to classical histology process. The resulting microscopy slides were digitalized with a scanner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to determine if changes in latencies and amplitudes of the major waves of Auditory Event-Related Potentials (AERP), correlate with memory status of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD). 91 patients with MCI (mean +/- SD age = 66.6 +/- 5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown)
January 2008
Objective: Fatal arrhythmias are a common cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Two major hypotheses for arrhythmogenesis in COPD have been proposed: arrhythmias are a consequence of hypoxaemia, hypercapnia or (tissue localised) acid-base disturbances, or arrhythmias are the result of the autonomic neuropathy that characterises COPD. Our objective was to verify these two hypotheses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInterleukins IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF are increased in plasma of patients with severe infections and septic shock. Our objective was the evaluation of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF in plasma and exudates of pleural fluid and their contribution to the diagnosis. We studied 44 patients, 27 men and 17 women with mean age 66.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present our experience from the first 1000 clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging cases performed at our institution. The case load included pediatric and adult patients with a male predominance (two thirds of the patient population). The spectrum of diseases was very broad, and included myopathic, atherosclerotic, vascular, valvular, pericardial, neoplasmatic and congenital heart disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFApoptosis or programmed cell death is a physiological mechanism, characterized by specific morphological and biochemical changes such as cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, protein cleavage, DNA breakdown and phagocytosis. Apoptosis is a significant contributor to the morphologic and functional development of multicellular organisms. It is also involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases including degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, cancer and immune system dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOphthalmic Physiol Opt
January 2007
Purpose: To investigate visual function and perception in cerebral palsied (CP) children.
Methods: A total of 105 congenitally CP children (aged 6-15 years), without severe mental retardation, were classified into three groups: those with spastic quadriplegia, spastic diplegia and spastic hemiplegia. Data collected included patient history, IQ, refraction, far and near visual acuity, position of the eyes and eye movements, visual fields, colour perception, stereoacuity, slit lamp and fundoscopic examinations, and evaluation of visual perception.