Topographical Atlas of the Gangliosides of the Adult Human Brain

Forty different brain samples, consisting of neocortical, archicortical, and paleocortical areas; telencephalic, diencephalic, and mesencephalic subcortical nuclei; and the cerebellum as well as some of the corresponding white matter bundles were analyzed with respect to total content of ganglioside-sialic acid and the ganglioside pattern. The total content of gangliosides seems to depend mainly on the proportions of gray and white matter. Thus, neocortical areas, which are rich in gray matter, have a four- to fivefold higher ganglioside content (per milligram of protein) than white matter-rich samples such as optic chiasm, capsula interna, or corpus callosum. White matter-rich regions, although very heterogeneous in ganglioside composition, are further characterized by appreciable amounts of the myelin-enriched GM4. In the neocortex a remarkable degree of regional pattern differences was revealed. In the frontal and parietal areas there is a moderate, and in the temporal region a strong preponderance of sialic acid bound to gangliosides of the a-pathway (GD1a, GM1). In contrast, the occipital cortex favors the b-pathway of ganglioside synthesis (GQ1b, GT1b, GD1b). A predominance of "b-gangliosides" was found in all structures that are related to the visual system (optic chiasm, pulvinar-thalamus, superior colliculi, visual cortex) as well as in the cerebellum and the nucleus ruber. All diencephalic nuclei tend to favor slightly "b-gangliosides," while the mesencephalic nuclei are very heterogeneous in their ganglioside composition. A preponderance of "a-gangliosides" was found in the periamygdalar cortex, putamen, inferior colliculi, substantia nigra, frontal white matter, internal capsule, globus pallidus, basal nucleus of Meynert, and corpus callosum as well as in the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices. An exceptional predominance of GM1 and GD1a was revealed for the hippocampal archicortex and the amygdala, suggesting a possible functional correlation to glutaminergic synaptic transmission.     

Giant cell arteritis: how to diagnose?--a case report

We present a case of 77 years old male with suspected giant cell arteritis. With anamnesis, physical examination, immunological tests, Colour Doppler ultrasonography of superficial temporal artery and finally with patohistological analysis of temporal artery biopsy, we came to right diagnosis.     

Serum biochemical values of mouflon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ovis orientalis musimon</Emphasis>) according to age and sex

Interest for breeding mouflons in Europe is growing by the day, so it is important to extend our knowledge regarding their physiology. To establish reference intervals of biochemical values for mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), serum samples from 35 males and 26 females were analyzed using the automatic analyzer Olympus AU 640 for 22 serum biochemistry parameters. All mouflons aged from 1 to 4 years were apparently healthy and in good body condition and kept at an average altitude of 87 m (45°4′N, 18°6′E). Obtained results were tested according to age and sex categories by the repeated measurement model with Tukey’s post hoc test. Data showed a significantly higher (P < 0.01) concentration of total serum bilirubin and chloride in adult pregnant female mouflons compared to adult male mouflons. A significantly higher (P < 0.01) value of sodium and a lower (P < 0.01) value of serum phosphate in adult pregnant female mouflons compared to adult male mouflons have been determined. These data provide the baseline information about serum biochemical parameters which can be used to manage the health in mouflons.     

Combined analysis of data from two granddaughter designs: A simple strategy for QTL confirmation and increasing experimental power in dairy cattle

A joint analysis of five paternal half-sib Holstein families that were part of two different granddaughter designs (ADR- or Inra-design) was carried out for five milk production traits and somatic cell score in order to conduct a QTL confirmation study and to increase the experimental power. Data were exchanged in a coded and standardised form. The combined data set (JOINT-design) consisted of on average 231 sires per grandsire. Genetic maps were calculated for 133 markers distributed over nine chromosomes. QTL analyses were performed separately for each design and each trait. The results revealed QTL for milk production on chromosome 14, for milk yield on chromosome 5, and for fat content on chromosome 19 in both the ADR- and the Inra-design (confirmed within this study). Some QTL could only be mapped in either the ADR- or in the Inra-design (not confirmed within this study). Additional QTL previously undetected in the single designs were mapped in the JOINT-design for fat yield (chromosome 19 and 26), protein yield (chromosome 26), protein content (chromosome 5), and somatic cell score (chromosome 2 and 19) with genomewide significance. This study demonstrated the potential benefits of a combined analysis of data from different granddaughter designs.     

Retention of telescopic denture in elderly patients with maximum partially edentulous arch

The telescopic denture is one possible solution for prosthetic rehabilitation for a partially dentate arch with few remaining teeth, which is the reason why it is usually considered in elderly patients. The system of double crowns consists of the male component of attachment or patrix, which is cemented to the abutment tooth, and the female component of attachment or matrix, which is the removable part of the restoration. Retention force represents resistance to those forces which tend to separate the partial denture and supporting tissue in the occlusal direction. Its optimal value is 5–9 N per each patrix and it should strictly be between these limits as a stronger or weaker force will endanger the functionality of the denture or damage the supporting tissue of the abutment teeth. Objective: The goal of this study was to establish the exact value of the individual and total retention force of the completed telescopic system. Method: The Bredent dynamometer was used for measuring these values. The study involved measuring the individual force of separation of 50 patrix–matrix components, and total force of 20 partial dentures of various designs retained by double crowns made in the Dental Laboratory of the Clinic for Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Stomatology, Belgrade University. The research was carried out in the period from January 2006 to October 2006. Results and conclusion: The results showed different values of separation force – from very low values to those exceeding optimal limits. A reduction in the force of separation is necessary in the case of excessive tightness. If there was looseness between patrix and matrix, the cylindrical components of double crowns need to be lined by a suitable composite material.     

Structural basis of developmental plasticity in the corticostriatal system

Previous studies have shown that in developing monkey corticostriatal fibres terminate around striatal cytoarchitectonic compartments--cell islands, showing transfiguration around 105th embryonic day (E105) of gestation. In the present study we have analyzed these striatal cytoarchitectonic islands and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) rich patches in the developing human brain considering them as structural indicators of the development of the corticostriatal pathways. Postmortal brain tissue of 27 fetuses and prematurely born infants, ranging from 11-34 postovulatory weeks (POW) whose deaths were attributed to non neurological causes, were processed by Nissl method, AChE histochemistry and imunocytochemical technique (synaptophysin). All specimens are part of the Zagreb Neuroembryological Collection. Initial AChE patches, presumably corresponding to the dopaminergic islands, were seen as early as 10 POW whereas cytoarchitectonical cell islands were not observed until 14 POW The main developmental change occurs between 20-24 POW when AChE negative cell poor zones develop around cell islands. This transient AChE pattern of striatal organization reaches its peak around 28 POW being most prominent along lateral border of putamen. In one case of periventricular hemorrhagic lesion with premortem survival period we have found reorganization of AChE patches in the putamen which indicates structural plasticity of corticostriatal pathways. In conclusion we propose that cell poor zones serve as waiting compartments for growing corticostriatal fibers which approach striatum through subcallosal bundle and external capsule. The period of the existence of striatal compartments (14-30 POW) is a sensitive period for structural plasticity and vulnerability after periventricular lesions.     

Our experience with virtual endoscopy of paranasal sinuses

The main goal of our work was to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of virtual endoscopy (VE) techniques in routinely diagnostic and preoperative management of patients with various sinus diseases or head traumas in our practice. Fly-through algorithm was performed using an Xeon based workstation on data sets created from axial CT images acquired from 320 patients with various paranasal sinus disorders. Images were created using Siemens Somatom Emotion 16 continiously rotating helical CT scanner and archived in DICOM format. In comparison with real endoscopy, the VE has several advantages. It is completely non-invasive. It is possible to repeat the same procedure several times, therefore it may be a valuable tool for training. Interactive control of all virtual camera parameters, including the field-of-view is possible. Endoscopic viewing as opposed to real endoscopy is not restricted to the spaces defined by inner surfaces. The viewer may penetrate the walls and see the extent of lesions within and beyond the wall as well as the adjacent anatomic structures. Virtual endoscopy also has a potential to stage tumors by determining the location and the extent of transmural extension.     

iPath: interactive exploration of biochemical pathways and networks

iPath is an open-access online tool (http://pathways.embl.de) for visualizing and analyzing metabolic pathways. An interactive viewer provides straightforward navigation through various pathways and enables easy access to the underlying chemicals and enzymes. Customized pathway maps can be generated and annotated using various external data. For example, by merging human genome data with two important gut commensals, iPath can pinpoint the complementarity of the host-symbiont metabolic capacities.