ΔFosB is part of a homeostatic mechanism that protects the epileptic brain from further deterioration.

Activity induced transcription factor ΔFosB plays a key role in different CNS disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and addiction. Recent findings suggest that ΔFosB drives cognitive deficits in epilepsy and together with the emergence of small molecule inhibitors of ΔFosB activity makes it an interesting therapeutic target. However, whether ΔFosB contributes to pathophysiology or provides protection in drug-resistant epilepsy is still unclear.

[Bilateral nephrocalcinosis: primary hyperoxaluria involved].

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is a rare autosomal recessive disorder leading to oxalate overproduction by deficiency in the liver-specific enzyme alanine-glyoxylate transaminase (AGT). Oxalate is a poorly soluble molecule that binds calcium and deposits in the entire organism leading to oxalosis. Its elimination is mainly carried out by kidneys.

Procognitive Compounds Promote Neurite Outgrowth.

Background/aims: To this date, the only available drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease are cognitive enhancers, which may improve the cognitive function of patients for a few years while the disease continues to progress. As such, there are intense investigations to develop disease-modifying drugs to suppress progressive neurodegeneration.

Methods: In this study, a range of procognitive compounds are tested in a primary neuronal culture to determine their relative potential for promoting neuritogenesis.

Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia.

The amount of marine debris in the environment is increasing worldwide, which results in an array of negative effects to biota. This study provides the first account of macrodebris on the beach and microplastics in the sediment (shoreline and infralittoral) in relation to tourism activities in Slovenia. The study assessed the quality and quantity of macrodebris and the quality, size and quantity of microplastics at six beaches, contrasting those under the influences of tourism and those that were not.

Distribution of SV2C mRNA and protein expression in the mouse brain with a particular emphasis on the basal ganglia system.

Synaptic vesicle 2 proteins (SV2), SV2A, SV2B and SV2C, are integral proteins localized on the surface of synaptic vesicles in all neurons. SV2 proteins appear to play an important, but not yet fully understood role in synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. Moreover, SV2 seems to be the receptor of the botulinum neurotoxin A.

Changes in nematode communities at the long-term sand extraction site of the Kwintebank (southern bight of the north sea).

We investigated the long-term effects of sand extraction activities on the nematode communities from the Kwintebank. Although changes in nematode community composition cannot be completely uncoupled from natural processes, we suggest that the morphological changes in the sandbank and physical disturbance associated with the dredging activities indeed affected nematode community composition. Nematode diversity did not change since the start of the extraction activities but nematode community composition changed significantly.

Phylogenetic relationships within the Mysidae (Crustacea, Peracarida, Mysida) based on nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA sequences.

Species of the order Mysida (Crustacea, Peracarida) are shrimp-like animals that occur in vast numbers in coastal regions of the world. The order Mysida comprises 1,053 species and 165 genera. The present study covers 25 species of the well-defined Mysidae, the most speciose family within the order Mysida.

Integrating images into a central medical information system.

Of the information items that must be easily available to the different actors involved in the care process, radiological images are not the least important. While until recently it was not feasible to include these into the medical information system, this situation has changed. Still, emphasis in PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) is primarily on the technological aspects.

The assessment of dose and image quality of storage phosphor systems: an overview of the different tasks.

The assessment of the dose-image quality relation using storage phosphor systems requires a series of tasks. In the text, the main aspects are summarized and the differences with the measurements for X ray equipment using film-screen cassettes are indicated. Standards of testing are becoming available for quality control measurements of the equipment.

Confrontation of mammography systems in flanders with the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in mammography screening. Analysis of initial results.

From May 1997 to April 98, 30 radiological centers made an agreement with the Leuvens Universitair Centrum voor Kankerpreventie (LUCK) for the work out of physical and technical quality control in mammography screening. A protocol was used based on the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance. The reports of all 30 acceptance tests were retrospectively reviewed.