[Application of long term video electroencephalogram and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in detection of cognition in patients with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes]

Objective: To study the relationship between the changes of brain network and cognition in patients with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) by using long term video electroencephalogram (VEEG) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) technology. Methods: Eleven patients with right-handed were recruited (from April 2015 to September 2016) from epilepsy specialist outpatients and functional department of neurosurgery of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. They all underwent the long term VEEG monitoring (one sleep cycle was included at least). According to the spike-wave index (SWI) during slow ware sleep, they were divided into two groups: SWI<50% (5 cases) and SWI≥50% (6 cases). All the patients were assessed with cognitional test including language, execution, memory and attention. They also underwent the head MRI, RS-fMRI examinations. Then the results were comparatively analysed. Results: (1)There were no statisticaly significance in sex, age, age of onset, disease course, total number of seizures, years of education (P>0.05). The Full Intelligence Quotient (FIQ) (87±18), Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) (88±15) and Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) (89±20) of SWI≥50% group were lower than SWI<50% group(118±8, 114±11, 119±5) and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). (2)There was a negative correlation between the FIQ (P=0.002), VIQ (P=0.006), PIQ (P=0.001) and SWI. The FIQ, VIQ and PIQ had no correlation with the sex, age, age of onset, disease course, total number of seizures, years of education (P>0.05). (3)Compared with SWI<50% group, SWI≥50% group showed increased regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the bilateral precentral gyrus, premotor area and the subcortical structure, the right temporal lobe and the bilateral insular lobe(P<0.05); while they showed decreased ReHo in the posterior cingulate gyrus, right posterior inferior temporal lobe and right occipital lobe(P<0.05). Conclusion: The change of the brain network which is caused by the paradoxical and constant discharge during slow ware sleep in patients with BECTS may affect the development of cognition.

Systemic arterial stiffness in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: potential cause of systemic hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Systemic hypertension is common among preterm infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); the exact cause is unknown. The objective of this preliminary hypothesis generating study was to examine systemic arterial structure and vasomotor function in a cohort of preterm infants with severe BPD, using a cohort of preterm infants without BPD and a cohort of term infants for comparison.

STUDY DESIGN

After obtaining informed consent, we measured aortic wall thickness and vasomotor function by ultrasonography in 20 infants with severe BPD, 7 infants with no BPD, and compared them with 20 healthy term infants.

RESULTS

Maximum aortic thickness was significantly higher in infants with BPD (827±163 μm) compared to those with no BPD (674±22 μm) and term infants (657±67 μm) (unadjusted P<0.0001). The input impedance was similarly elevated in the infants with BPD (574±127 dynes s( )cm(-5)) compared to those with no BPD (325±24 dynes s cm(-)(5)) or term infants (328±113 dynes s cm(-)(5)) (unadjusted P<0.0001). Stiffness index was significantly higher in the infants with BPD (3.4±0.6) compared to those with no BPD (2.6±0.3) or term infants (2.3±0.4) (unadjusted P<0.0001). Systemic vascular resistance was also significantly elevated in the infants with BPD. The results remained significant even after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight. Measures of vasomotor function significantly correlated with blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

The aortic wall thickness and vasomotor function are significantly altered in preterm infants with severe BPD. These findings may explain the higher incidence of systemic hypertension in this population.

Primary spinal oligoastrocytoma mimicking longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is most commonly associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). However, a wide range of etiologies may produce longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCLs) on imaging. We highlight the case of a patient with a spinal cord tumor whose imaging showed LESCL and was diagnosed with LETM. He did not respond to immunosuppression and subsequently developed a progressive and protracted clinical course. Thoracic cord biopsy performed 6 years after symptom onset showed primary spinal oligoastrocytoma. We discuss the features that should raise suspicion of a neoplasm in the context of LESCL and serve a reminder that not all LESCLs are inflammatory.

Chemical Composition, In vivo Digestibility and Metabolizable Energy Values of Caramba (Lolium multiflorum cv. caramba) Fresh, Silage and Hay

The experiment was conducted to determine nutritive values of caramba (Lolium multiflorum cv. caramba) fresh, silage and hay by in vivo and in vitro methods. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in crude protein content value between fresh caramba (12.83%) and silage (8.91%) and hay (6.35%). According to results of experiment, the crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin contents of the three forms of caramba varied between 30.22% to 35.06%, 57.41% to 63.70%, 35.32% to 43.29%, and 5.55% to 8.86% respectively. There were no significant differences between the three forms of caramba in digestibility of nutrients and in vivo metabolizable energy (ME) values (p>0.05). However, the highest ME_CN (ME was estimated using crude nutrients) and ME_ADF values were found in fresh caramba (p<0.01). As a result, it could be said that, there were no differences between the three forms of caramba in nutrient composition, digestibility and ME value, besides drying and ensiling did not affect digestibility of hay. Consequently, caramba either as fresh, silage or hay is a good alternative source of forage for ruminants.

MR Elastography Can Be Used to Measure Brain Stiffness Changes as a Result of Altered Cranial Venous Drainage During Jugular Compression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Compressing the internal jugular veins can reverse ventriculomegaly in the syndrome of inappropriately low pressure acute hydrocephalus, and it has been suggested that this works by "stiffening" the brain tissue. Jugular compression may also alter blood and CSF flow in other conditions. We aimed to understand the effect of jugular compression on brain tissue stiffness and CSF flow.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The head and neck of 9 healthy volunteers were studied with and without jugular compression. Brain stiffness (shear modulus) was measured by using MR elastography. Phase-contrast MR imaging was used to measure CSF flow in the cerebral aqueduct and blood flow in the neck.

RESULTS

The shear moduli of the brain tissue increased with the percentage of blood draining through the internal jugular veins during venous compression. Peak velocity of caudally directed CSF in the aqueduct increased significantly with jugular compression (P < .001). The mean jugular venous flow rate, amplitude, and vessel area were significantly reduced with jugular compression, while cranial arterial flow parameters were unaffected.

CONCLUSIONS

Jugular compression influences cerebral CSF hydrodynamics in healthy subjects and can increase brain tissue stiffness, but the magnitude of the stiffening depends on the percentage of cranial blood draining through the internal jugular veins during compression—that is, subjects who maintain venous drainage through the internal jugular veins during jugular compression have stiffer brains than those who divert venous blood through alternative pathways. These methods may be useful for studying this phenomenon in patients with the syndrome of inappropriately low-pressure acute hydrocephalus and other conditions.

KiSS1-induced GPR54 signaling inhibits breast cancer cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via protein kinase D1

The metastasis suppressor protein Kisspeptin regulates cancer cell proliferation and motility through its receptor, GRP54. However, the critical downstream effectors remain unclear. In this study, we investigated GPR54 signaling in breast cancer cells. Kisspeptin stimulation caused a decrease in migration of multiple breast cancer cell lines. Also, Kisspeptin inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell colony formation in 3D matrigel culture and in soft agar. Kisspeptin treatment elevated phosphorylated PKD1 in a PKC-dependent manner. However, knockdown of either GPR54 or PKD1 increased breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, GPR54 knockdown blocked Kisspeptin-induced phosphorylation of PKD1. Finally, Kisspeptin stimulation induced a PKD1 phosphorylation-dependent decrease in expression of Slug, a transcription factor that drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and a concomitant increase in E-cadherin expression. Therefore, KiSS1/GPR54 signaling through PKD1 acts to maintain the epithelial state and to inhibit breast cancer cell invasiveness, and exerts functions associated with its role as a metastasis suppressor.