Lipid metabolism in peripheral nerve cell culture (rich in Schwann cells) from normal and trembler mice

A culture of peripheral nerve cells, very rich in Schwann cells, was developed from sciatic nerve. In both normal and Trembler, typical spindle-shaped cells were seen; most of the cells were surrounded by basement membrane-like material (predominantly in-between adjacent cells). In Trembler cells, cultivated in the presence of labelled acetate, the fatty acids were slightly altered; phosphatidylcholine was slightly reduced and phosphatidylethanolamine increased. Sulfatides were increased four times.

Paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarct: clinical and neuropathological study

The clinical and neuropathological findings in 28 cases of paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarcts are reported. The 4 instances of unilateral paramedian thalamic infarct were characterized by mood and behavioral changes, limitation of the infarct to the center of the anatomical paramedian territory, and symmetrical configuration of the paramedian thalamic arteries. Basilar artery occlusion was found in 1 patient. The 5 cases of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts were characterized by disturbances of consciousness and behavior, extension of the infarct (to the mammillothalamic tracts in 4 cases, the red nuclei in 3, and the hypothalamus in 2), and a variable paramedian thalamic arterial pattern. The arterial pattern was symmetrical in 2 cases, asymmetrical in 1, and unilateral in 1. The basilar artery was occluded in 1 case, the basilar communicating and posterior cerebral arteries in 1, and a third patient had occlusion involving an aneurysm of the basilar artery. The 19 patients with paramedian thalamopeduncular infarcts had marked disturbances of consciousness (hypersomnia, deep coma, akinetic mutism) associated with ocular motility changes. Later, abnormal movements--always delayed--and memory disturbances were observed in some. Thalamic changes were restricted to beh paramedian territory in only 3 cases. The arterial pattern was symmetrical in 5. The basilar and posterior cerebral arteries were occluded in 4 patients each. Paramedian infarcts were rarely found as isolated lesions and were always bilateral when there was only one arterial pedicle. The paramedian thalamic pedicle can supply the polar thalamic territory.

[The biochemistry of cerebral aging in man and in experimental models (author's transl)]

The biochemistry of cerebral aging in man is very little known. Two theories form the basis of current studies: the purely genetic theory and the catastrophic error theory (which explains senescence by a series of errors affecting protein synthesis). Whatever the mechanisms envisaged, they result in abnormalities in the biochemical structures of membranes and of cellular metabolism. However, senescence is not a chance phenomenon and certain regions, certain circuits, certain cells and certain metabolisms are more resistant than others. Cholinergic and catecholaminergic pathways are affected more than GABAergic and serotoninergic pathways. The substratum of the morphological lesions seen during senescence is poorly understood. Neurofilaments arranged in spirals characteristic of neurofibrillary degeneration have been isolated and partially analysed. There is no animal model which reproduces all the morphological changes seen in man. However, certain biochemical, structural and metabolic changes are sufficiently well reproduced in rodents in which changes in catecholamine would also seem to exist.

Lipid analysis in nerve biopsy specimens of hypertrophic neuropathy

We performed a lipid analysis on nerve biopsy specimens in two cases of degenerative hypertrophic neuropathy. Quantitative analysis of the major lipid classes, ie, cholesterol, cerebrosides, sulfatides, ethanolamine phospholipids, phosphatidyl-choline, phosphatidyl-serine, phosphatidyl-inositol, sphingomyelin, and gangliosides, were performed. The two cases exhibited extreme decreases in levels of lipids that could be related to the very low myelin content of these nerves. Cholesterol and phospholipid levels were especially reduced. Cerebrosides and sulfatides were not modified in the same proportion, as could have been predicted from the degree of demyelination. This relative glycolipid increase could be due to the very high Schwann cell proliferation.

[Neuropathy associated with ichthyosis and splenomegaly in an adult patient. Possible relationship with altered glycosphingolipid metabolism (author's transl)]

The authors report on the case of a 40-year-old woman presenting with ichtyosiform erythroderma, central and peripheral neuropathy, splenomegaly and low serum haptoglobin levels. The patient's blood and urine contained large amounts of various ceramides polyhexoside including, in particular, a ceramide tetrahexoside containing fucose. The possibility of a new form of sphingolipidosis is discussed.

Immunohistochemical localization of galactosyl and sulfogalactosyl ceramide in the brain of the 30-day-old mouse

We have used purified antibodies against galactosylceramide (galCb) and sulfogalactosylceramide (sulf) to study the topographical distribution of these two lipid haptens in the brain of the 30-day-old mouse. This study has been conducted, using the indirect immunofluorescence method, on cerebellum, brain stem and hemispherical tissue sections. Both haptens are present in the myelin sheaths and in the oligodendrocytes within the myelinated bundles. Cortical oligodendrocytes as well as some of the subependymal cells are also galCb-positive but sulf-negative. On the contrary, ciliated ependymal cells and subpial astrocytic processes (especially the Bergmann glia fibers in the cerebellum) are sulf-positive and galCb-negative. Astrocyte cell bodies and other astrocytic cell processes are devoid of both haptens. Lastly, some-sulf positive galCb-negative processes, as yet unidentified, were also found in the periaqueductal gray matter and in the nucleus interpeduncularis.

[Effects of gangliosides on the in vitro growth of cultured spinal ganglia of guinea pigs. Preliminary results on a preparation of gangliosides from the cerebral cortex of cattle]

Brain bovine gangliosides added for 48 hrs. to the culture medium at concentrations ranging from 5.10(-5) mg/ml to 5.10(-7) mg/ml induced a statistically significant (p less than .005 to p less than 000,5) increase of the number of neurites of the outgrowth zone of guinea-pig spinal ganglia. On the contrary, the neurite length was only slightly increased.

[Malignant gliomas treated by combination chemotherapy and delayed radiation therapy (author's transl)]

The authors present the therapeutical results of two clinical and histological homogeneous series of malignant gliomas. The first group includes 46 patients operated upon and treated successively by chemotherapy associating VM26 and CCNU, a conventional delayed radiotherapy 6 months after surgery and again chemotherapy. In this group, the mean survival is 17 months and 46% of patients were surviving at 18 months. The second group includes 28 patients operated upon and treated with the same associated chemotherapy without radiation therapy. The mean survival was 11 months and 24% of patients were surviving at 18 months. The comparison of results shows that after surgery, the association of a chemotherapy and delayed radiotherapy is more efficient than chemotherapy alone. However, the systematic study of nervous system tolerance to irradiation post-chemotherapy suggests that, in some cases, the chemotherapy is able of increasing the pathogenic effect of irradiation on the brain.

Rigid spine syndrome: histological examinations of male and female cases

Histological findings in the limb-muscle of two new cases of Rigid Spine Syndrome are described. The first male case exhibited a disproportion in fiber type with predominance of the type II fibers with a slight increase of large fibers. Some of the type I fibers were slightly atrophic. No other consistent abnormalities could be seen, excepted thickness of vessel basal lamina. The second female case had a relatively distinct muscular pattern. Necrotizing phenomenon were mild without fibrosis. Type I predominance were obvious. Atrophic and hypertrophic fibers could be seen in both types populations, with a relatively higher rate in type II. These two additional cases and those of the literature showed varied non specific histology, without any histo-chemical nor ultrastructural characteristic pattern.

Cerebellar changes in 50 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with emphasis on granule cell atrophy variant

Cerebellar changes have been found in 41/50 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. They were severe in 9 cases. We did not find significant correlation between the cerebellar symptoms and signs pointed out in clinical records and prominent cerebellar changes. The only exception consisted in dentate nucleus involvement which was more frequently related to those symptoms and signs. 5 of the cases with severe changes were characterized by predominant granule cell atrophy without kuru plaques. The mean age of death (56.0) was significantly lower in this variant than that of patients with other cerebellar changes (64.4) (p less than 0.01). The granule cell atrophy seems a distinct variant on the basis of age of death and pathological changes. However, it is not characterized by the presence of kuru plaques.

Perhexiline maleate-induced lipidosis in cultured human fibroblasts: cell kinetics, ultrastructural and biochemical studies

Perhexiline maleate reduced the growth of human skin fibroblasts in cell culture at a concentration range of 0.3-3 micrograms/ml. At the highest concentration, the cells survived only four days. Pleomorphic inclusions characteristic of drug-induced phospholipidoses appeared in cultured cells. Analysis of the major lipid classes was performed on cells exposed to 3 micrograms/ml at four days. Gangliosides, phospholipids and cholesterol levels four to six times above controls were found. No major qualitative abnormalities were detected in phospholipids. On the contrary, an abnormal pattern of gangliosides was seen by densitometry of silica gel thin-layer plates with increases of GD3 and of an unknown ganglioside. Drug induced lipidosis may involve other lipids than phospholipids, particularly gangliosides.

Influenzal acute myositis in the elderly

We report an 84-year-old man with completely regressive acute myositis. The presumed etiology was an Influenza A virus infection, based on the serologic results.

[Localization of pyruvate kinase M1 (ATP pyruvate phosphotransferase-2.7.1.40) in nervous tissue of the rat. Preliminary results]

The M1 pyruvate kinase has been localized in macroneuron's cytoplasm of nervous tissue of adult Rat, in situ as well as in tissue culture. Three methods have been used: histoenzymology, immunoenzymology and immunofluorescence, combined with Nomarski optics. This enzymatic localization may suggest a metabolic or differenciated fonctionnal state of the nerve cell.

Intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin-binding lymphoid cells (IgGLC) of the cerebrospinal fluid in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders

A direct immunofluorescence study was performed on cerbro-spinal fluid (CSF) cells of 24 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 26 control patients with other neurological disorders. A significant increase (p less than 0.01) of the percentage of lymphoid cells with intracytoplasmic IgG (IgGLC) was found in a group of 20 IgG tested MS cases as compared to a control group of 22 IgG tested patients. However, the statistical significance was lost when the same MS group was compared to a group of 10 neurological diseases with supposed immunopathological mechanisms. An increase of the percentage of the IgA-containing cells was also found in some cases of MS. A good relationship appeared between the increase of IgGLC cells and the presumed intrathecal secretion of immunoglobulins as assessed on the protein composition of the CSF. This technique might be of some value in the diagnosis of MS.

[Chronic inflammatory neuromyopathies in adults treated for gluten-sensitive enteropathy. A report on three cases with microvascular nerve and muscle lesions (author's transl)]

Neuromyopathies developed in three patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy, a long time after they had been cured of their digestive disease by following a gluten-free diet. These cases differed radically from typical deficiency neuropathies by the presence of microvascular inflammatory lesions in nerves and muscles. The semiological findings were similar in all 3 cases, and were distinguished by the association of signs eveking lesions of the largest myelinated nerves fibers to the posterior rami with lesions in the muscles. Corticotherapy improved the condition but did not affect its chronic course. Nerve and muscle biopsies revealed the presence of segmentary microrascularitis, mainly lymphohistiocytic. The probable mechanism of these histological changes is alterations in the circulating immune-complexes, usually found in gluten-sensitive enteropathy, producing various types of associated disorders. Some of these immune-complexes would not be related straight to digestive intolerance to gluten, but would persist during the gluten-free diet period, and could be responsible for the micro-angiitis.

[Review on the properties of glial cells of the central nervous system (author's transl)]

During the past 15 years, increasing studies have been devoted to glial cells, i.e. oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglial cells of the central nervous system. Although most of their functions remain mysterious, the concept of intracellular interactions between neurons and neuroglia becomes more and more substantiated. This review describes some aspects of phylogeny of glia, recent technical approaches to the study of these cells, their major morphological and biochemical characteristics, their maturation as well as their pathology.

[Amiodaron neuropathy: clinical and pathological study of a new drug induced lipidosis (author's transl)]

The authors report a case of amiodaron-induced neuropathy in a seventy one years old man. First signs appeared seventeen months after the treatment was started with 400 mg/day for one year and continued with 200 mg/day. Examination on the 29th month disclosed a severe sensory and motor deficit of the limbs with distal predominancy. Motor nerve conduction velocity was strongly impaired without modification of distal latencies. Fundi were normal. The patient improved quickly after drug withdrawal. The authors review the rare similar cases reported in the literature and attempt to describe the clinical caracteristics of amiodaron neuropathy. Qualitative and quantitative light and electron microscopical studies of nerve, muscle and skin biopsies, including teased fibers preparations were performed and they disclosed a marked reduction of the number of myelinated fibers. Wallerian degeneration predominated (31 p. 100) other segmental demyalination (25 p. 100). Numerous polymorphous lipid-laden lysosomes were present in Schwann cells, fibrocytes, pericytes, endothelial and muscle cells. These previously undescribed morphological findings are similar to those present in perhexiline maleate intoxications. We believe amiodaron neuropathy is a new neuropathy with drug-induced lipidosis.

[Diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhages. A report of 247 anatomo-pathological cases (author's transl)]

A series of 247 cases with simple and apparently primitive cerebral hemorrhages selected from the pathological records of Charles Foix laboratory from 1962 to 1977 is reviewed with regard to the accuracy of the premortem diagnosis as a function of the size, the location and the age of the bleeding, the patient's age, the practices of angiography or lumbar puncture and the considered period of death. The clinical diagnosis of cerebral vascular disease was made in 75% of the cases from that serie but the hemorrhagic mechanism was identified only in 50,6% of cases. The diagnosis accuracy was enhanced in large and recent hemorrhages occuring in patients under 70 years old. It seemed better in cerebellar and intermediate locations. It was enhanced in more recent observations (collected since 1974). The practice of cerebral angiography and lumbar puncture rose up (in a somewhat equivalent way) the proportion of accurate diagnoses. The lumbar puncture practice was not associated with a higher rate of cerebral herniae.

[Quantitative and electron microscope study of the nerve in seven cases of sporadic idiopathic sensory neuropathy (author's transl)]

An electron microscope study and quantitation of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers of seven nerve biopsies performed in sporadic cases of idiopathic sensory neuropathy is reported. The number of myelinated fibers is markedly decreased or absent in every case. On the contrary, the unmyelinated fiber numbers are normal or increased. In most cases, the small diameter myelinated and unmyelinated fibers proportions are higher than those of control biopsies. The electron microscope study discloses evidence of degeneration of Wallerian tye and regeneration is also indicated by quantitative studies. Regenerative phenomena seen more obvious in sporadic cases than in previously reported studies of familial cases.