Congruence and discrepancy of interictal and ictal EEG with MRI lesions in focal epilepsies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the occurrence and localization of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and epileptic seizure patterns (ESPs) with the localization of MRI lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the EEG and MRI data of a series of patients with focal epilepsies that had been studied from 1991 to 2009. RESULTS: In patients with temporal lesions, the localization of IEDs was most congruent (58.6% with IEDs exclusively over the lesional lobe and 29.7% with a majority of temporal IEDs). This differed (p < 0.001) from frontal lesions (27.5% with exclusively frontal IEDs, 24.6% with a majority of frontal IEDs). In parieto-occipital lobe lesions, only 12.1% had IEDs exclusively over the lesional lobe compared to 48.5% with no parieto-occipital IEDs at all. Patients with central lesions often lacked any IEDs (54.5%, p < 0.001). The occurrence and localization of ESPs also differed between the regions. They were most congruent in temporal lesions (63.5% of patient had ESPs only over the lesional lobe, 23.4% had the majority of ESPs over the lesional lobe), which differed from frontal and parieto-occipital lesions (37.7% and 30.3% of patients with ESPs only over the lesional lobe). Patients with central lesions had ESPs very frequently only outside the lesional lobe (63.6%). Surgery outcome did not differ between the regions. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence and localization of interictal and ictal EEG findings differs vastly for lesions in different brain regions. These findings should be used to carefully weigh the results from EEG studies particularly in patients with extratemporal epilepsies considered for epilepsy surgery.

Mapping the human proteome for non-redundant peptide islands.

We describe immune-proteome structures using libraries of protein fragments that define a structural immunological alphabet. We propose and validate such an alphabet as i) composed of letters of five consecutive amino acids, pentapeptide units being sufficient minimal antigenic determinants in a protein, and ii) characterized by low-similarity to human proteins, so representing structures unknown to the host and potentially able to evoke an immune response. In this context, we have thoroughly sifted through the entire human proteome searching for non-redundant protein motifs. Here, for the first time, a complete sequence redundancy dissection of the human proteome has been conducted. The non-redundant peptide islands in the human proteome have been quantified and catalogued according to the amino acid length. The library of uniquely occurring n-peptide sequences that was obtained is characterized by a logarithmic decrease of the number of non-redundant peptides as a function of the peptide length. This library represents a highly specific catalogue of molecular protein signatures, the possible use of which in cancer/autoimmunity research is discussed, with a major focus on non-redundant dodecamer sequences.

Organochlorine and heavy-metal contaminants in wild mammals and birds of Urbino-Pesaro Province, Italy: an analytic overview for potential bioindicators.

Tissue samples from 56 bird and 11 mammal species of different trophic levels, collected from 1994 to 1995 from the Urbino-Pesaro area in the Marche region of central Italy, were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg). Results revealed interspecies differences in pollutant residue concentrations. A clear relationship between contaminant and trophic levels emerged depending on several factors specific to the chemicals and the organisms, the importance of dietary accumulation, and metabolic capacity as it increased toward higher trophic levels. Polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE were found in all of the bird and mammal species analyzed (bird- or fish-eating birds), and insectivore mammals showed the highest level of these contaminants. Pb and Hg residues were also widely detected and reflected trophic-level differences. The highest concentration of Pb was found in herbivorous or bird-eating aquatic invertebrates and in insectivorous mammals, particularly in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), whereas the highest Hg levels were found in fish-eating birds. All of the other heavy metals were detected at low concentrations and represented background levels for birds and mammals, with the exception of increased amounts of Cd and Cr, respectively, found in stone marten (Martes foina) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Data from this study provided information on baseline levels of interest to monitor status and trends in chemical residue in biota in this specific area, and therefore they represent a tool to evaluate potential ecologic, wildlife, and human health exposure.

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in autoimmune thyroid diseases.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence for a link between Helicobacter pylori infection and the development of lymphoid follicles in the gastric mucosa. It is not known whether other factors may also play a role. The aim of this study was to investigate the role played by the host with peculiar immunogenic disorders, in the presence or absence of a known antigenic stimulus such as H. pylori. For this, we studied patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. METHODS: Thirty patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases and 30 dyspeptic patients without a history of thyroid disorders (as control group) underwent upper endoscopy. Lymphoid follicles and H. pylori status were assessed by histopathologic and enzymatic analysis. RESULTS: Organized mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue was found in 73.3% of the patients and in 33.3% of control group. Lymphoid follicles were found in 87.5% of the H. pylori-positive patients and in 57.1% of the H. pylori-negative patients (P = NS). In the control group these follicles were present in 50% of H. pylori-positive subjects and in 14.3% of those who were H. pylori-negative. CONCLUSIONS: lYMPHOID follicles in the gastric mucosa are common in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Besides H. pylori infection, other factors (environmental, unknown infectious agents) or mechanisms related to the underlying disease may play a causal role.

Neuronal changes induced by chronic toluene exposure in the cat.

Chronic toluene inhalation provokes significant deleterious neurological effects in young glue sniffers and exposed workers. We have developed a chronic toluene inhalation model in the cat to address this issue. Neuronal changes using Loyez and acid fuchsinegallocianine stainings were studied at prefrontal cortex, cerebellun and hippocampus. All this structures showed varying degrees of neuronal degeneration to necrosis. Even if injury signs were widespread, the neuronal layers weren't equally affected and there were clear differences in injury severity. In the prefrontal cortex, injured neurons were observed in layers II, III and V/VI extending over several gyri. Lesions were time related, as was more clearly observed in Purkinje cells. In dorsal hippocampus alterations were particulary severe in CA1 and CA3. In ventral hippocampus damaged neurons were scarce and located mainly in CA2. The possible relation of this findings with behavioral changes observed during chronic toluene inhalation are noted.

[Clinical significance of cervical arthropathy in patients with vertigo]. / Significado clínico de la artropatía cervical en pacientes con vértigo.

We performed a thorough neuro-otological evaluation and a radiological study of the cervical spine in 102 patients with vestibular symptoms. A group of 20 asymptomatic subjects served as control. Some degree of cervical spondylosis was found in 121 of 122 patients but also in the majority of control subjects. No relationship was observed between the degree of cervical spondylosis and vestibular abnormalities. Instead, the latter were strongly related to age. Thus, an age dependent microvascular damage may be more likely as an etiological factor for vestibular symptoms in the elderly.

Ftorafur, adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM II) for extensive bronchogenic adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Twenty-six patients with advanced bronchogenic adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma were treated by combination chemotherapy consisting of Ftorafur, adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM II). The patients had not received prior chemotherapy and were not eligible for radiotherapy and surgery. The overall response rate was 25% (5 of 20 patients). One patient with adenocarcinoma achieved a complete response, four achieved a partial response and three a minor response. In four patients the disease was stable. The response did not vary strictly with initial performance status as patients with a Karnofsky score of less than 70% also showed a median survival of 7.5+ months. The FAM II combination was very well tolerated, particularly regarding nausea and vomiting; the latter occurred in only one patient. No patient required a reduction in the drug dose because of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia.

[An epidemiological study of cardiac emergency cases in the province of Florence and the Southeast Florence Hospital area]. / Indagine epidemiologica sulle emergenze cardiologiche nella provincia di Firenze e nel comprensorio ospedaliero Firenze sud-est.

The national data provided by ANMCO in 1978 show a total of 2.5 m heart cases in Italy, including 1.5 m instances of ischaemic cardiopathy, and an annual incidence of 105,000 new cases of myocardial infarct. An assessment was made of the 1976 and 1977 pattern of "cardiological emergency cases" (ISTAT codes 402, 410-14, 427-29, 441, 450, 519, 997) in the province of Florence and two of its social and health consortia: 39 (municipalities of Dicomano, Londa, Pelago, Pontassieve, Rufina, S. Godenzo), and 51 (municipalities of Borgata Ripoli, Greve, Impruneta, S. Casciano, Tavarnelle). The records of the S. Maria Nuova, Florence Hospital were used for in-patient data, since this is the only hospital in the province with automatic filing by discharge diagnosis according to the ISTAT code. Mortality in emergency cases in the two consortia m and the province fell from 14.68% and 17.17% to 11.20% and 18.11% respectively in the two years. In both populations, the highest incidence was between 70 and 74 yr of age in 1976, and between 65 and 69 yr in 1977. In the case of infarct, mortality moved from 18.75 to 7.58% (consortia) and from 22.40% to 20.93% (province), with maximum incidences in 1976 between 70 and 74 yr (consortia and province), and in 1977 between 65 and 69 yr (province) and between 55 and 59 yr (consortia). Admissions were greatest in number on Mondays (peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whereas no difference was noted between one month and another. The Hospital Resuscitation Centre, which serves the two consortia, received 45 emergency cases in 1977, including 25 infarct patients. Total mortality was 13.33% (infarct 20%). The slight numeric discrepancy between in the latter data and those held in the computer suggests that the ISTAT code may not be easy to use and not always employed by physicians in a rational manner.