The identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.

A two-step strategy was developed consisting of differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) with cultured normal human fetal astrocytes and U-373MG glioma cells followed by reverse Northern analysis of normal brain and primary tumor tissues. hu-dek, alpha-NAC, ribosomal proteins L7a and L35a, and five novel genes were identified. Since none of these genes has been previously shown to be associated with malignant brain tumor formation, this approach may be useful to identify novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.

Unappreciated agenesis of cerebellum in an adult: case report of a 38-year-old man.

An unexpected finding at autopsy of almost complete agenesis of the cerebellum in an apparently functional, mentally subnormal 38-year-old man who died as the result of an accidental electrocution is reported. The posterior fossa was normal in appearance despite nearly complete absence of the cerebellum. A number of syndromes of cerebellar atrophy or dysgenesis have been reported, but congenital agenesis is considered a very rare condition.

Beta1,6-N-acetylglucosamine-bearing N-glycans in human gliomas: implications for a role in regulating invasivity.

The metastatic potential of tumor cells has been shown to be correlated with the expression of tri- and tetra-antennary beta1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (beta1,6-GlcNAc)-bearing N-glycans, which are recognized by Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinating lectin (L-PHA). The expression of beta1,6-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycans also has been used as a marker of tumor progression in human breast and colon cancers. In this report, the role of N-glycan branching in regulating glioma migration and invasion was examined.

The effect of incomplete patient follow-up on the reported results of AVM radiosurgery.

Background: The reported efficacy of AVM radiosurgery--80-85% 2-year obliteration rate--is based exclusively on the results of follow-up arteriography in a small percentage of treated patients; it is therefore inaccurate. We examined the effect of incomplete follow-up on the results of AVM radiosurgery.

Methods: We reviewed the results of AVM radiosurgery in 82 patients after a minimum of 24 months of follow-up.

Forensic considerations in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Sudden death in epilepsy has recently found its way into both civil and criminal litigation in the United States. Civil cases commonly involve actions or inactions by physicians with respect to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) alleged to have caused sudden unexpected death in a patient with epilepsy (SUDEP). The context may be discontinuation or change of AEDs or failure to warn of the complication of SUDEP.

alpha2,3-sialyltransferase mRNA and alpha2,3-linked glycoprotein sialylation are increased in malignant gliomas.

CMP-NeuAc: Galbeta1,3(4)GlcNAc alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (alpha2,3-ST) mRNA was expressed in human glioma specimens, human fetal astrocytes, and a panel of brain tumor cell lines. Maackia amurensis agglutinin staining revealed the presence of alpha2,3-linked sialic acids on glioma cell surfaces and extracellular matrices whereas normal human adult astrocytes were negative. Increased expression of alpha2,3-linked glycoprotein sialylation may play a role in glial tumorigenesis.