Sexual behavior of a sample of females with epilepsy

A sample of 700 female epileptic outpatients was examined between 1985 and 1987. The incidence of psychosexual disorders was 18%. Epileptic females with psychosexual disorders were compared with epileptic females without sexual disorders and with normal female controls on selected clinical and EEG parameters. Epileptic females with sexual disorders showed: lower marriage rates, a longer duration of illness, sexually colored prodromata, predominance of partial complex seizures (83%) and a higher incidence of menstrual abnormalities. Hyposexuality and exhibitionism were the psychosexual disorders most frequently noted. Temporal lobe EEG abnormalities were significantly higher.

Function-structure connectivity in patients with severe brain injury as measured by MRI-DWI and FDG-PET

A vast body of literature exists showing functional and structural dysfunction within the brains of patients with disorders of consciousness. However, the function (fluorodeoxyglucose FDG-PET metabolism)-structure (MRI-diffusion-weighted images; DWI) relationship and how it is affected in severely brain injured patients remains ill-defined. FDG-PET and MRI-DWI in 25 severely brain injured patients (19 Disorders of Consciousness of which 7 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, 12 minimally conscious; 6 emergence from minimally conscious state) and 25 healthy control subjects were acquired here. Default mode network (DMN) function-structure connectivity was assessed by fractional anisotropy (FA) and metabolic standardized uptake value (SUV). As expected, a profound decline in regional metabolism and white matter integrity was found in patients as compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, a function-structure relationship was present in brain-damaged patients between functional metabolism of inferior-parietal, precuneus, and frontal regions and structural integrity of the frontal-inferiorparietal, precuneus-inferiorparietal, thalamo-inferioparietal, and thalamofrontal tracts. When focusing on patients, a stronger relationship between structural integrity of thalamo-inferiorparietal tracts and thalamic metabolism in patients who have emerged from the minimally conscious state as compared with patients with disorders of consciousness was found. The latter finding was in line with the mesocircuit hypothesis for the emergence of consciousness. The findings showed a positive function-structure relationship within most regions of the DMN. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3707-3720, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Kyste hydatique des tissus mous : apport de l’IRM (À propos de trois observations)

Three cases of hydatid disease of the soft tissues are reported. All presented as soft tissue lesions in the neck and lower extremities. All three cases were studied with ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques. Two patients presented with multivesicular lesions, which were considered diagnostic for hydatid disease. The third showed a lesion with hypoechoic solid and lobulated pattern mimicking lymph node. MR outlined the cystic pattern with intense peripheral enhancement and was suggestive of an infected cystic lesion. Surgery was performed in all three cases. Hydatid disease presenting in the soft tissues can be diagnosed with confidence, when US and/or MR shows multivesicular lesions. MR appears to be the most useful imaging technique when a complex or solid pattern is present. Enhancement of the peri-cystic soft tissues can be considered as a suggestive MR feature of soft tissue hydatid disease.

Structural and vibrational study of a new organic hydrogen sulfate

This paper presents a structural and vibrational study of a new compound, namely, monohydrate 1,5-pentanediammonium hydrogen sulfate (NH3(CH2)5NH3(HSO4)2.H2O). The X-ray crystal structure shows that this compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with the lattice parameters a=9.2250(2)A, b=7.7540(4)A, c=20.8520(1)A, beta=116.23(3) degrees, V=1337.97(10)A3, and Z=4. From the structural investigations, it is found that the studied compound is built by infinite anionic ribbons parallel to the "a" axis. These ribbons form tunnels in which organic cations are inserted. Infrared (IR) spectrum of the compound in the 300-4000 cm(-1) spectral region is reported. A tentative assignment of the observed bands, supported by a molecular orbital semi-empirical calculation, is given.

[Elastofibroma: imaging features]

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare benign and slow growing fibro-proliferative lesion of unknown pathogenesis. It has a characteristic location (periscapular region) and a specific imaging appearance (songraphy, CT, MRI) allowing accurate prospective diagnosis. The recognition of this benign lesion avoids unnecessary biopsy and/or surgery. We report three cases of elastofibroma dorsi illustrating the characteristic features on sonography, CT and MRI. Involvement was bilateral in two cases.

[Tuberculous sacro-iliitis: a series of twenty-two cases]

BACKGROUND

Despite their relative rarity, increased awareness of tuberculous sacro-iliitis is necessary. Indeed, diagnosis is usually delayed, because of the non specific clinical features and the difficulty to explore the sacro-iliac joint.

OBJECTIVE

To study the characteristics of sacro-iliac joint tuberculosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of 22 cases of tuberculous sacro-iliitis collected between 1987 and 2003 in four university hospital centres. All our patients were explored clinically and radiologically. Microbiology, biochemical and serologic tests were also performed.

RESULTS

13 cases were confirmed bacteriologically or histologically and for the remaining nine cases evidence of tuberculous sacroiliitis was based on clinical, biological, radiological features and outcome on treatment. Inflammatory pain was present in almost all cases, and a collected abscess in 11 cases. Standard radiographs were also in all cases and ultrasound and CT scan showed an abscess in 8 patients. The average duration of treatment was nine months. The outcome was excellent in the majority of cases.

CONCLUSION

Sacro-iliac joint is difficult to explore and has recently beneficiated of technical improvement in imaging and diagnostic. Medical treatment of tuberculosis sacro-iliitis is often sufficient.

[Mediastinal fibrosis combined with Behçet's disease. Three case reports]

PURPOSE

Intrathoracic manifestations other then vascular aneurysm and thrombosis are rare in the course of Behçet's disease. Mediastinal fibrosis is also unusual.

METHODS

Three cases of Behçet's disease with initial mediastinal fibrosis are reported. Diagnosis means, pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic modalities are also more precisely defined.

RESULTS

Three male patients (21, 25 and 27 years of age, respectively) were hospitalized for progressive vena cava superior syndrome accompanied by mediastinal fibrosis demonstrated by MRI and/or CT scan which both showed infiltration of the mediastinal fat. Multiple calcifications were also present in one patient. Histology was performed in one case. Thrombosis of the vena cava superior and innominata veins was associated with fibrosis in all three cases. Thrombosis of venae subclavia and left jugularis was also present in one case. Other manifestations leading to the diagnosis of Behçet's disease were demonstrated by the patient's history and, in one case, occurred on the fourth day of hospitalization. After initiation of a treatment including corticoids, anticoagulants and colchicine, the outcome was favorable in two cases. The third patient died.

CONCLUSION

Mediastinal fibrosis combined with Behçet's disease has rarely been described. However, it should be included in manifestations of the disease. The causative process which might be vasculitis has to be demonstrated.

First synthesis of silicon nanocrystals in amorphous silicon nitride from a preceramic polymer

We report the first synthesis of silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon nitride matrix through a direct pyrolysis of a preceramic polymer (perhydropolysilazane). Structural analysis carried out by XRD, XPS, Raman and TEM reveals the formation of silicon quantum dots and correlates the microstructures with the annealing temperature. The photoluminescence of the nanocomposites was investigated by both linear and nonlinear measurements. Furthermore we demonstrate an enhanced chemical resistance of the nitride matrix, compared to the typical oxide one, in both strongly acidic and basic environments. The proposed synthesis via polymer pyrolysis is a striking innovation potentially allowing a mass-scale production nitride embedded Si nanocrystals.

Neuroblastoma chemotherapy can be augmented by immunotargeting O-acetyl-GD2 tumor-associated ganglioside

Despite recent advances in high-risk neuroblastoma therapy, the prognosis for patients remains poor. In addition, many patients suffer from complications related to available therapies that are highly detrimental to their quality of life. New treatment modalities are, thus, urgently needed to further improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of existing therapies. Since antibodies specific for O-acetyl GD2 ganglioside display pro-apoptotic activity against neuroblastoma cells, we hypothesized that combination of immunotherapy could enhance tumor efficacy of neuroblastoma chemotherapy. We demonstrate here that combination of anti-O-acetyl GD2 monoclonal antibody 8B6 with topotecan synergistically inhibited neuroblastoma cell proliferation, as shown by the combination index values. Mechanistically, we evidence that mAb 8B6 induced plasma cell membrane lesions, consistent with oncosis. Neuroblastoma tumour cells treated with mAb 8B6 indeed showed an increased uptake of topotecan by the tumor cells and a more profound tumor cell death evidenced by increased caspase-3 activation. We also found that the combination with topotecan plus monoclonal antibody 8B6 showed a more potent anti-tumor efficacy in vivo than either agent alone. Importantly, we used low-doses of topotecan with no noticeable side effect. Our data suggest that chemo-immunotherapy combinations may improve the clinical efficacy and safety profile of current chemotherapeutic modalities of neuroblastoma.

Reactivity of the NO dimer: on the role of the triplet electronic states

We performed ab initio calculations to investigate the lowest triplet and singlet electronic states of the NO dimer and their mutual spin-orbit couplings. The electronic structure calculations are done using multiconfigurational approaches and a large diffuse basis set. A high density of electronic states is found favoring their mutual interactions by vibronic and spin-orbit couplings. We used our potential curves and spin-orbit couplings to discuss the mechanisms for the IR dissociation and the UV photodissociation of the NO dimer and the electronic de-excitation of NO (A(2)Sigma(+)) after collision with NO (X(2)Pi). For these reactions, multistep pathways, which involve the long-range and the molecular regions of the potential energy surfaces of the triplet and singlet electronic states of N(2)O(2), are suggested. A qualitative agreement between our findings and previous experimental assumptions is found.

Pediatric high grade gliomas: Clinico-pathological profile, therapeutic approaches and factors affecting overall survival

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric high grade gliomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Treatment is multidisciplinary, comprising surgical excision followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES

describe these tumors' characteristics as seen in our institution, and identify factors associated with better overall survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 30 cases of pediatric high grade glioma treated consecutively in our institution over a 20-year period. Brainstem tumors and patients aged more than 22years were excluded. Univariate analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with better overall survival.

RESULTS

The series comprised 30 pediatric high grade gliomas: 27 glioblastomas and 3 anaplastic astrocytomas. The sex ratio was 1.7. Mean age was 13years. Tumors were mainly located in the cerebral hemispheres (63.3%). Median tumor size was 5cm. Glioblastomas were subdivided into 26 cases of classical subtype (96.3%) and 1 case of epithelioid subtype (3.7%). Surgical strategy consisted in tumor resection in 24 cases (80%). Twenty-one patients (70%) received postoperative radiotherapy. Therapeutic response at end of treatment was complete in 7 cases (23.3%). Postoperative radiation therapy and complete treatment response were significantly associated with improved overall survival in all high grade gliomas and also specifically in glioblastomas (P<0.001 and P=0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that postoperative radiotherapy and complete treatment response are predictive factors for better overall survival in pediatric high grade glioma.

In situ insight into the unconventional ruthenium catalyzed growth of carbon nanostructures

We report on the in situ analysis of the growth process of carbon nanostructures catalyzed by Ru nanoparticles using syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and CO, as the carbon source at a medium temperature (500 °C). The structural modifications of the dual nanotube/nanoparticle system and the general dynamics of the involved processes have been directly followed during the growth, in real time and at the atomic scale, by transmission electron microscopy in an environmental gas cell at atmospheric pressure. After a reduction step under hydrogen and syngas, the particles became very active for the carbon growth. The growth rate is independent of the particle size which mainly influences the nanotube wall thickness. Other subtle information on the general behavior of the system has been obtained, as for instance the fact that the regular changes in the direction of the particle originate generally from the particle shape fluctuation. The main result is the evidence of a new growth mode in relation to the presence and the high instability of the ruthenium carbide phase which acts as a carbon reservoir. For the first time, a relaxation oscillation of the growth rate has been observed and correlated with the metal-carbide structural transition at the particle sub-surface.