Tissue characterization of the medical fungus Hericium coralloides by focus-variation microscopy.

In this study, the potential of focus-variation microscopic imaging was evaluated in a study of morphological patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides (Basidiomycota). We created three-dimensional reconstructions and visualizations using the imaging technique on a fresh H. coralloides basidioma. The aim was to approximate the spore dispersal efficiency of this basidiomata type regarding the investment of tissue biomass and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores). Results were correlated with published data gained from magnetic resonance imaging and micro-computed tomography. It is demonstrated that focus-variation microscopic imaging results in a more distinct picture of the morphology of the edible and potentially medicinal H. coralloides basidiomata. However, a direct measurement of spore production was not possible. Spore production could only be estimated in combination with a mathematical model because the surface was not directly measurable due to the cellular heterogeneity. However, focus-variation microscopic imaging allows a better and faster estimation of spore production compared with the published methods. Furthermore, it was found that a scanning resolution of 5× is sufficient for determining the fungal surface precisely because at a higher resolution artifacts occur, resulting in adulteration of the image.

Comparison of structure and composition of a fossil Champsosaurus vertebra with modern Crocodylidae vertebrae: A multi-instrumental approach.

Information on the adaptation of bone structures during evolution is rare since histological data are limited. Micro- and nano-computed tomography of a fossilized vertebra from Champsosaurus sp., which has an estimated age of 70-73 million years, revealed lower porosity and higher bone density compared to modern Crocodylidae vertebrae. Mid-infrared reflectance and energy dispersive X-ray mapping excluded a petrification process, and demonstrated a typical carbonate apatite distribution, confirming histology in light- and electron microscopy of the preserved vertebra. As a consequence of this evolutionary process, the two vertebrae of modern Crocodylidae show reduced overall stiffness in the finite element analysis simulation compared to the fossilized Champsosaurus sp. vertebra, with predominant stiffness along the longitudinal z-axes.

Morphological and tissue characterization of the medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides by a structural and molecular imaging platform.

In this study the potential of new imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) profiling mass spectrometry ("MALDI Profiling") and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging was evaluated to study morphological and molecular patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides. For interpretation, the MALDI profiling, FTIR imaging and MRI results were correlated with histological information gained from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscopy (LM). Additionally we tested several evaluation processes and optimized the methodology for use of complex FTIR images to monitor molecular patterns. It is demonstrated that the combination of these spectroscopic methods enables to gain a more distinct picture concerning morphology and distribution of active ingredients. We were able to obtain high quality FTIR imaging and MALDI-profiling results and to distinguish different tissue types with their chemical ingredients. Beside this, we have created a 3-D reconstruction of a mature Hericium basidioma, based on the MRI dataset: analyses allowed, for the first time, a realistic approximation of the "evolutionary effectiveness" of this bizarrely formed basidioma type, concerning the investment of sterile tissue and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores).

Long-term cognitive and MRI findings in a patient with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.

This case study describes the long-term course of behavioral alterations and MRI findings in a patient with a combined limbic and cerebellar paraneoplastic syndrome, which was associated with a squamous lung carcinoma. Clinical equivalents were cerebellar ataxia, as well as severe anterograde memory loss, frontal executive dysfunction and behavioral alterations. MRI revealed inflammatory changes followed by progressive atrophy affecting the cerebellum and both temporal lobes. Tumor surgery yielded only a partial and transient recovery of neurological symptoms, and paraneoplastic atrophy continued to progress despite radical excision of the carcinoma. This case of paraneoplastic encephalitis suggests that the related atrophy may present as a chronic, progressive, multifocal encephalopathy and that the associated cognitive impairments may include several cognitive domains.

[Trans-septo-sphenoidal operation for pituitary adenoma in 92 patients: results and follow-up endocrine studies]. / Transseptosphenoidale Operation von Hypophysenadenomen bei 92 Patienten: Ergebnisse und endokrine Verlaufskontrolle.

The short- and long-term therapeutic results of transseptosphenoidal adenomectomy were studied retrospectively in 92 patients with pituitary tumors (42 nonsecreting adenomas, 21 GH-, 15 PRL-, 10 ACTH-, 2 TSH-, and 2 FSH-secreting adenomas). Severe surgically related complications were not observed. The early remission rate was 53.7% in nonsecreting, 57.1% in GH-secreting, 60% in PRL-secreting, 88.9% in ACTH-secreting, and 75% in TSH- or FSH-secreting adenomas. The recurrence rate in patients with nonsecreting adenomas was 47.1%, with GH-secreting adenomas 10%, with ACTH-secreting adenomas 25%, and with TSH- or FSH-secreting adenomas 66.7%, respectively. A long-term cure rate of 69.2% was observed in prolactinomas in combination with a facultative dopamine agonist therapy. More patients had normal pituitary function concerning TSH, ACTH, and LH/FSH post-operatively (48.9% versus 46.6% preoperatively). These data confirm that transseptosphenoidal surgery is a safe and selective treatment for pituitary adenomas with efficient preservation of the normal pituitary gland.

Long term remission of intrinsic brainstem gliomas: the case reports of two children.

Intrinsic brainstem gliomas carry the worst prognosis of all pediatric CNS tumors; only 10-25% of patients are expected to survive for more than two years. Over a period of four years seven intrinsic brainstem gliomas were diagnosed in children in one institution. Four of them underwent a rapidly fatal course, whilst one was diagnosed only two years ago, which is too recent for long-term evaluation. We report the case histories of the remaining two boys, who showed a favorable course of their disease. Presenting symptoms were headaches and signs of brainstem dysfunction with multiple bilateral cranial nerve palsies, ataxia and pyramidal tract signs. Diagnosis rested on neuroimaging (CAT scans and/or MRI scans). Both tumors were intrinsic brainstem gliomas, one diffuse and the other focal. They responded to treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the former patient and radiotherapy alone in the latter patient). The two boys became long-term survivors and have remained well, without evidence of disease, for more than 71 and 61 months, respectively, after completion of treatment. They are probably cured. Prompt therapy with curative intention is recommended, with consistent adherence to the chosen antitumor regimen even in poor-risk brainstem gliomas.

Steroid-induced complete remission in a case of primary cerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A case of a primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the CNS is reported in which a complete and stable disappearance of an enhancing mass lesion on the CT scan after treatment with dexamethasone was followed by the occurrence of a high-grade malignant lymphoma in the opposite hemisphere 18 months later. The long-lasting and stable remission suggests a direct oncolytic effect of corticosteroids on lymphoma cells. Furthermore, this case illustrates the usefulness of repeated CT examinations in patients with CNS lymphoma and steroid treatment.

Clivus chordoma in a 9-year-old child: case report and review of the literature.

Chordomas are bone tumors of the axial skeleton. They arise from notochordal remnants. In children these tumors are extremely rare and are predominantly located in the skull base. The authors report on a clivus chordoma in a 9 7/12-year-old girl. It presented as a nasopharyngeal mass with destruction of the clivus and paralyses of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh cranial nerves on the right side. After incomplete resection by a transoral transclival route, high-dose radiotherapy was added. This treatment was effective as demonstrated by follow-up CAT scans. A short review of the current literature is given. The local recurrence rate is extremely high, and distant metastases may occur. Complete resection is rarely possible, and combined management with postoperative radiotherapy is propagated. Permanent cure is rare, and at the present time, chemotherapy appears to be of no value in the primary treatment of chordomas.