Black holes and high levels of neurofilaments in glial fibrillary acidic protein - astrocytopathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intracellular protein of the astrocytic cytoskeleton. Recently, autoantibodies to GFAP detected by cell-based assay in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum have been implicated in cerebral astrocytopathy, presenting predominantly with autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis. However, the phenotypic spectrum, prognosis and therapeutics of this new entity remain to be elucidated. METHODS: Herein, we report radiological, CSF and serological findings during disease exacerbation and remission, from a patient with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, presenting as an immunotherapy responsive GFAP IgG-associated meningoencephalomyelitis. RESULTS: Brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed meningeal enhancement, T2 hyperintensities, black holes, significant sulci widening and spinal atrophy. In addition, high levels of neurofilaments (NfL) and GFAP were also identified during disease exacerbation, consistent with the appearance of the black holes. CONCLUSIONS: To date, black holes and atrophy have never been reported before in autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. These findings, combined with the high levels of GFAP and NfL, suggest the existence of an underlying neurodegenerative mechanism in addition to the known inflammatory response. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathomechanism of GFAP-astrocytopathies.

Disentangling balance impairments in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease) has been associated with balance dysfunction and falls. However, postural control has not been studied quantitatively. Here, we quantified upright stance and aimed to disentangle the role of vestibular, proprioceptive and oculomotor deficits. Static balance was assessed in Kennedy patients (n = 7) during quiet stance on a force platform under different visual and proprioceptive feedback conditions. Vestibular function was assessed with the video head impulse test. Sural nerve neurography was employed to evaluate the severity of peripheral neuropathy. Also, horizontal saccades were recorded and quantified by the main sequence relationship. Posturographic analyses revealed significantly increased body sway, more pronounced in conditions with closed eyes, which was also reflected in the calculated Romberg indices. Horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex gains were normal, i.e. > 0.75. In contrast, compound sensory nerve action potentials were markedly decreased in all patients (mean = 2.4 µV). Two patients showed slow saccades with increased exponential main sequence constants. We conclude that Kennedy patients exhibit severe deficits in quiet stance. Postural instability is greatest in conditions of absent vision with reduced proprioception being the main determinant of unsteadiness. Some patients show slowed saccadic eye movements suggesting a nuclear abducens neuronopathy.

[Dissemination and survival of endoparasite embryos in the environment]. / Diseminácia a prezívanie zárodkov endoparazitov v zivotnom prostredí.

Pig farms with the annual capacity from five to 20 thousand head represent one of the crucial fields of agriculture influencing the environment in the CSFR. Daily production of large amounts of liquid excrements (150-300 m3), as a result of high concentrations of animals, poses not only technical but also sanitary problems closely related to the animal and man's health. In a long-term (267 days) field study the authors followed the development and survival of eggs of the model helminth Ascaris suum, contamination of the environment with the propagative stages of pig enteronematodes and possibility of their devitalization in a mechanico-chemico-biological waste-water treatment plant. Eggs of A. suum placed in the soil to the depth of 10 to 60 cm in November (1987) did not develop in winter months. Their development continued in spring months--at soil temperatures of 8.6 degrees C (at 5 cm depth) or 8.9 degrees C (at 20 cm depth). The embryonated eggs were found out at the beginning of the 20th decade of the experiment (May, 1988). The most positive samples on the investigated pig farm were found out in the vicinity of the central reservoir for waste water, showing the presence of both unembryonated and embryonated eggs of A. suum and Trichuris suis, with sporadic occurrence of Oesophagostomum dentatum L3 larvae. As demonstrated by our results, the tested waste-water treatment system complies only with the requirements of water management--with respect to the absence of the endoparasite propagative stages in the treated water.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effectiveness of fenbendazole (Panacur) in cattle invaded by gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes]. / Ucinnost fenbendazolu (Panacur) u dobytka invadovaného gastrointestinálnymi a pl'úcnymi nematódami.

The effectiveness of the new anthelmintic fenbendazole (Panacur) produced by Hoechst, W. Germany, was tested in cattle naturally invaded by gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematodes. The single dose of 5.7 mg per kg or 7.5 mg per kg body weight administered either in the form of a 10% suspension or in pellets containing 1.5% of the active substance gave 100% intenseffectiveness and 100% extenseffectiveness in the control of Dictyocaulus viviparus, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp., Ostertagia spp., Oesophagostomum spp. and Cooperia spp. The animals tolerated the administration of both drug forms without showing any undesirable symptoms.

[Effectiveness of oxyclozanide in cattle naturally invaded by Liorchis scotiae trematoda]. / Ucinnost preparátu oxyklozanid u dobytka pribodzene invadovaného trematodmi Liorchis scotiae

The paper reports on the results of the clinical tests for the effectiveness of oxyclozanide pure substance (produced by ICI, U.K.) in cattle naturally invaded by the paramphistomata Liorchis scotiae. Helminthological dissection, performed 21 days after a single application of 15 mg oxyclozanide per 1 kg 1. w., revealed 87.5% intenseffectiveness on sexually mature paramphistomata on 85% intenseffectiveness on juvenile paramphistomata. The extenseffectiveness of the chemical was equal to zero. The coprological examinations performed for the three weeks in one-week intervals after therapy showed a decline in the number of produced eggs. The animals were given the medicated feed containing oxyclozanide only after preceding starvation. The chemical did not produce any unfavourable side effects or signs.