First study on the peptidergic innervation of the brain superior sagittal sinus in humans.

The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) of the mammalian brain is a pain-sensitive intracranial vessel thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches. Here, we aimed to investigate the presence and the potential co-localization of some neurotransmitters in the human SSS. Immunohistochemical and double-labeling immunofluorescence analyses were applied to paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded, coronal sections of the SSS. Protein extraction and Western blotting technique were performed on the same material to confirm the morphological data. Our results showed nerve fibers clustered mainly in large bundles tracking parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sinus, close in proximity to the vascular endothelium. Smaller fascicles of fibers encircled the vascular lumen in a spiral fashion, extending through the subendothelial connective tissue. Isolated nerve fibers were observed around the openings of bridging veins in the sinus or around small vessels extending into the perisinusal dura. The neurotransmitters calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were found in parietal nerve structures, distributed all along the length of the SSS. Overall, CGRP- and TH-containing nerve fibers were the most abundant. Neurotransmitters co-localized in the same fibers in the following pairs: CGRP/SP, CGRP/NOS, CGRP/VIP, and TH/NPY. Western blotting analysis confirmed the presence of such neurosubstances in the SSS wall. Overall our data provide the first evidence of the presence and co-localization of critical neurotransmitters in the SSS of the human brain, thus contributing to a better understanding of the sinus functional role

Encephalopathy with astrocitic residual bodies. Report of a case and rewiev of the literature

Biopsy and autopsy findings in a girl who died at 7% months after having suffered from progressive axial hypotonia, myoclonus, EEG changes and retarded psychomotor development. Inclusions consisting of lamellar profiles, situated in membrane-bound cytosomes were found mainly in astrocytes, but also in neurones and in axons of peripheral nerves. Lipofuscin bodies were also increased in number. The patient belongs in the same category as cases studied by Towfighi et al. (1975) and Martin et al. (1977). Etiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome remain unknown. It is suggested, however, that the pathological changes observed might have been caused by the administration soon after birth of anti-epileptic dmgs (diphenylhydantoin, clonazepam and nitrazepan)

Lectins as differentiation markers of human gliomas

The lectins Concanavalin A (Con A). Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA-1), Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) as well as the irnmunomarkers for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) were used in a series of 21 glial turnors (4 pylocytic astrocytornas, 5 grade 11 astrocytornas, 3 anaplastic astrocytornas, 4 glioblastornas and 5 oligodendrogliornas). ConA binds to al1 tumoral astrocytes in low grade astrocytomas, as well as to well differentiated tumoral astrocytes in anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastornas. RCA-1 has a similar behaviour. PNA, and to a lesser degree WGA, binds selectively to the oligodendroglial plasma membrane in well differentiated oligodendrogliomas. The results suggest that these lectins are markers of differentiation in gliomas rather than of malignancy

Clinico-pathological correlations in meningiomas, a DNA and immunohistochemical study

We have studied 41 meningiomas classified histologically as benjgn, atypical or anaplastic. There were 26 females and 15 males and the mean age was 53 years. 36 tumours were supratentorial, 4 infratentorial and one spinal. Flow cytometry was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue using a selective staining technique for DNA. The ploidy index of DNA and percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phases were calculated. Results were correlated with clinical, histological and immunohistological data. 16/41 tumours . were found to be diploid, 17/41 aneuploid and 8/41 could not be analysed. Significant correlations were found between aneuploid tumours and some qualitative features such as recurrence, pleomorphism, high cellular density, mitotic activity and brain and soft tissue infiltration. A high proliferative index appeared to be associated with clinical aggressiveness. No particular correlation between the expression of cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen markers and flow cytometry was found. Our results suggest that DNA flow cytometry in meningiomas may be of value in predicting the behaviour of these neoplasms and confirm that epithelial pattern in meningiomas is not linked to increased anaplasia or poor prognosis

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) counting in astrocytic gliomas: prognostic value

In 87 astrocytic gliomas the number of AgNORs/nucleus was retrospectively studied and data correlated with the histological type of the tumors and survival. Al1 patients were treated by the same surgical team and with uniform criteria. Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) were found in relation with the AgNOR averages among the histological types of tumors. A statistically significant linear correlation (p<0.05) between the AgNOR values and survival of the patients was also found. Patients with mean AgNOR values higher than 2.23 and lower than 2.9 survived an average of 11.5I9.1 months vs. a sumival in average of 24.4I34.1 months with mean AgNOR values under 2.23 (p<0.05). Patients with AgNOR values higher than 2.9 survived, on average, 7.7I3.9 months. AgNOR counting in astrocytic gliomas is a reproducible, easy, quick method with prognostic value. AgNORs may be successfully applied in routine material to assess the growth potential of astrocytic gliomas

Fatal familial insomnia: clinical, neuropathological, and genetic description of a Spanish family

The clinical presentation and evolution, neuropathological findings, and genotyping of three members of a Spanish family affected with fatal familial insomnia are reported. The mother and two of her offspring developed a rapidly evolving disease with insomnia and behavioural disorders as the initial symptoms and died between 5 and 10 months after the onset of the illness. Frontal brain biopsy in the mother disclosed only non-significant spongiosis, and full neuropathological examination of her offspring showed thalamic and olivary degeneration with isolated focal cortical spongiosis. Genetic examination could only be performed in the contemporary patients and both harboured the prion protein (PrP) 178Asn mutation and homozygous 129 Met/Met genotype.


Prognostic analysis of astrocytic gliomas correlating histological parameters with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index (PCNA-LI)

Eighty out of 250 cases of astrocytic glioma collected from a practice served by a single clinical team over a 15-year period were studied using a full complement of clinical, follow up, histopathological analysis and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining for the obtention of the PCNA-labelling index (LI). A statistical evaluation and discriminant analysis were carried out with the aim of clarifying the importance of various parameters as predictors of tumor behaviour. Data are correlated with survival (with a 10- year follow up). A significant correlation with survival was found when histological grouping and the PCNA-LI were studied with the Cox test. Most significant features were histological as detected using classical techniques including histological grading. The utilization of objective values (mitosis, cellular density and necrosis) appears to be useful in grading astrocytic tumors. Our results emphasize the importance of cytological, histological and PCNA-LI parameters as predictors of tumor behaviour