Production of Functional Inulin-Type Fructooligosaccharides by an Enzyme from Penicillium citrinum.

We report the production of functional inulin-type fructooligosaccharides such as trisaccharide 1-kestose, O-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside, and tetrasaccharide nystose, O-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside, from sucrose by an enzyme from Penicillium citrinum. Sucrose acted as a fructosyl donor and acceptor for the enzyme. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzymatic reaction were 5 and 50 °C, respectively.

[CT and histological findings and treatment outcomes after carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic cervical carotid artery stenosis in octogenarians].

Symptomatic cervical carotid artery stenosis is one of the common causes of ischemic stroke in octogenarians. The records for 90 consecutive patients with symptomatic cervical carotid artery stenosis treated by carotid endarterectomy(CEA)were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups:21 patients aged 80 years or over and 69 patients aged less than 80 years.

Dopamine D3 receptor gene polymorphism influences on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in mild dementia of Alzheimer's type.

Dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) is present in the limbic system, which is thought to regulate affect, cognition, and activity. Thus a functional change in the DRD3 gene could in turn affect the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). We investigated a possible association of DRD3 genotype with DAT and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in mild DAT.

Dissecting aneurysms of bilateral anterior cerebral artery complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage after cerebral infarction: a case report.

Introduction: Intracranial dissecting aneurysms have been increased due to recent advancements in diagnostic imaging. However there have been little article with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral infarction occurring almost at the same time. We performed the surgical treatment and obtained good result.

IDE Gene Polymorphism Influences on BPSD in Mild Dementia of Alzheimer's Type.

Insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) degrades amyloid beta (Abeta), which may inhibit the accumulation of Abeta in a brain affected with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). A decrease in the activity of IDE results in changes in glucose utilization in the brain, which could affect the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of DAT. We investigated a possible association of IDE gene polymorphism and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in mild DAT.

Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and BPSD in mild Alzheimer's disease.

The purpose of the present study was to confirm an association of functional polymorphism within the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in mild AD. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism and 2 types of functional polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene, 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and a 5-HTT variable number of tandem repeats sequence (5-HTTVNTR) were analyzed longitudinally in outpatients with mild AD to find out whether there was a relation between any such polymorphisms and the occurrence of BPSD. No significant differences in genotype distribution or allele frequencies were identified for 5-HTTLPR or 5-HTTVNTR between AD patients and age- and sex-matched non-demented controls regardless of ApoE epsilon4 allele.

Multifocal primary intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma--case report.

A 58-year-old female presented with a unique case of multifocal primary intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) manifesting as partial seizure. Neuroimaging showed a mass lesion in the right frontal lobe, which was totally removed. The histological diagnosis was MFH.

Schwannoma of the spinal accessory nerve--case report.

A 60-year-old woman presented with a rare schwannoma arising from a spinal accessory nerve at the C1-2 levels manifesting as cervico-occipital pain. The tumor was removed by surgery with the involved segment of the nerve. She had no postoperative neurological deficit.