Expression of CRF and PKC proteins in hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

AIM: To observe the expression of CRF and PKC in rats with cerebral ischemia.METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry technique we measured the expression quantitatively of CRF and PKC proteins in the hippocampus in rats induced by MCAO at 2 h,6 h and 24 h after reperfusion,contrast to CRF antagonist.RESULTS: (1) CRF: there were lots of positive and deeper dyeing neurons in hippocampus in model group and normal saline group rats,while there were a few positive and lighter dyeing neurons in sham group and CRF antagonist group.The positive expression areas of CRF protein in hippocampus in model group and normal saline group were significantly bigger than those in sham group and CRF-antagonist group(P<0.01),respectively.(2) PKC：there were a great number of denser positive granules in hippocampus in model group and normal saline group rats,while there were a few of scattered positive granules in sham group and CRF antagonist group.The positive expression areas of CRF protein in hippocampus in model group and normal saline group were significantly bigger than that in sham group and CRF-antagonist group (P<0.01),respectively.CONCLUSION: The high expression of CRF and PKC induced by cerebral ischemia may be one important factors that resulted in the delayed neuronal death in hippocampus.The CRF protein activated PKC expression,indicating an important pathology mechanism of nerve tissue damage induced by CRF.     

Effects of light spectrum on growth and physiological status of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss reared under recirculating system conditions

Previously reported data clearly indicate that depending on species, ambient light spectrum can affect fish growth, physiology, behaviour, reproduction, etc. Since light spectrum can be easily controlled in intensive indoor fish farming facilities, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of coloured light on growth performance (body weight, growth rate, food utilization, carcass composition, etc.) and physiological status (blood and plasma parameters, brain neurotransmitters, tissue fatty acid composition, etc.) of two widely reared fish species, gilthead seabream Sparus aurata and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. For this purpose, 240 specimens of S. aurata (29.8 ± 0.13 g) and 60 specimens of O. mykiss (71.4 ± 0.30 g) were exposed to white (full-spectrum, fluorescent lamps), red (605 nm) and blue (480 nm) light (lamps covered with appropriate filters) for 11 weeks under recirculating water systems. Blue light had a significantly negative impact on O. mykiss growth performance accompanied with reduced liver total lipids and plasma glucose and increased brain serotonergic and dopaminergic activity. In the case of S. aurata, red light significantly increased brain dopaminergic activity, while a tendency towards reduced growth was also observed. Since these results indicated the establishment of stressful conditions, O. mykiss and S. aurata should not be reared under blue and red light, respectively. For each species, the effect of the remaining light colours tested, was not clearly differentiated so that an appropriate light spectrum for the most efficient farming of O. mykiss and S. aurata could not be suggested, at least for the time period examined. Nevertheless, present results suggest that light colour should be regarded as a rearing factor worth to be further investigated, especially when recirculating systems are concerned.     

POST-OPERATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN TWO DOGS WITH CEREBRAL MENINGIOMA

Post-operative computed tomography (CT) has been described as a technique for diagnosing incomplete resection or recurrence of cerebral neoplasms in humans. The characteristics of immediate postoperative CT images in dogs with intracranial pathology are unknown. This report describes findings from preoperative, immediate post-operative, and 4 week to 9 month follow-up CT examinations in two dogs with histologically-confirmed cerebral meningiomas. In images of one dog after surgery there was mild contrast enhancement of the tissue surrounding the surgical site. This enhancement had resolved in later images and was probably the result of surgically induced trauma. In post operative images of the other dog there was significant hyperattenuation of the tissues around the surgical site. In post contrast images there was increased enhancement that was evident in later images. These findings, although not supported by necropsy, probably indicate incomplete excision of the tumor.     

Neuropharmacology of the essential oil of bergamot

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso) is a fruit most knowledgeable for its essential oil (BEO) used in aromatherapy to minimize symptoms of stress-induced anxiety and mild mood disorders and cancer pain though the rational basis for such applications awaits to be discovered. The behavioural and EEG spectrum power effects of BEO correlate well with its exocytotic and carrier-mediated release of discrete amino acids endowed with neurotransmitter function in the mammalian hippocampus supporting the deduction that BEO is able to interfere with normal and pathological synaptic plasticity. The observed neuroprotection in the course of experimental brain ischemia and pain does support this view. In conclusion, the data yielded so far contribute to our understanding of the mode of action of this phytocomplex on nerve tissue under normal and pathological experimental conditions and provide a rational basis for the practical use of BEO in complementary medicine. The opening of a wide venue for future research and translation into clinical settings is also envisaged.     

Cerebrospinal fluid from a 10-year-old dog with a single seizure episode

A cerebrospinal fluid sample collected from the cerebellomedullary cistern of a 10-year-old Shetland Sheepdog with a recent history of seizures was submitted for fluid analysis and cytologic examination. Key findings included a total nucleated cell count of 520/microL (reference interval 0-5 cells/microL), with a predominance of mononuclear cells, a protein concentration of 51.8 mg/dL (reference interval 0-35 mg/dL), and a glucose concentration of 44.7 mg/dL (reference interval 52-105 mg/dL). There was marked atypia of the mononuclear cells, with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, occasional binucleated cells, mitotic figures, and rare erythrophagia. The cytologic interpretation was marked, monocytoid-rich, mixed cell pleocytosis with cellular atypia worrisome for neoplasia. In addition to histiocytic neoplasia, differentials included granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, and granulomatous inflammation. The dog did not respond to anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsive therapy. At necropsy, a mass involving the meninges and subtending the neuropil of the right temporal lobe of the cerebrum was found. Histologically, the mass was composed of large, bizarre histiocytic cells with multinucleated forms and numerous mitotic figures. Using immunochemistry on cytologic and histologic samples, the pleomorphic histiocytic cells were positive for CD1c, CD11ad, CD45, lysozyme, and vimentin, and were negative for CD3, CD4, CD79a, CD90, and pancytokeratin. These findings supported a diagnosis of primary CNS malignant histiocytosis of dendritic antigen-presenting cell (CD1c+) origin. To our knowledge, this is only the third reported case of primary CNS histiocytic sarcoma in dogs, and the first to demonstrate strong immunochemical evidence for dendritic antigen-presenting cell origin.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MRI CHARACTERISTICS OF A FOURTH VENTRICULAR CHOLESTEROL GRANULOMA IN A DOG

A 2‐year‐old male American Bulldog experienced paroxysmal staggering, altered consciousness, and hyperesthesia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging enabled recognition of a fourth ventricular mass causing compression of the cerebellum and brainstem and obstructive hydrocephalus. The mass was uniformly T2‐hyperintense and predominantly T1‐hypointense. A fluid line was evident on the fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images. A thin rim of contrast enhancement was noted. Histopathologic diagnosis was a cholesterol granuloma. We were unable to identify any other reports of a cholesterol granuloma residing in the fourth ventricle of a dog. This case report documents the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and histopathologic findings of a canine intracranial cholesterol granuloma. © 2012 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.     

《中国图书馆分类法》第5版应增设“中医脑系病证”类目

指出了《中国图书馆分类法》第5版中未设置“中医脑系病证”类目,给这部分文献的分类和检索带来困难,分析了中医脑病学的发展并对相关文献进行了调研,并根据学科依据和文献依据提出了增设“中医脑系病证”类目的建议和方法等。     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.