Cystic cavernous malformation of the cerebellopontine angle: Case report and literature review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cavernous malformations (CMs) in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are rare, and most of such CMs reported to date are solid and extend from the internal auditory canal into the CPA. In contrast, cystic CMs that arise in the CPA and do not involve the internal auditory canal and dura of the skull base are extremely rare.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 50-year-old man presented with vertigo and progressive hearing loss in the right ear. MRI examination revealed a lesion in the CPA with solid and cystic components. Surgery was performed. Well-circumscribed adhesion to cranial nerves, the cerebellum, or the brain stem was noted during surgery. The lesion was totally resected. Pathological examination suggested the lesion to be a CM. At 1-year follow-up, the symptoms at presentation had resolved and no complications had occurred.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although cystic CMs of the CPA have no established imaging features, a diagnosis of CMs may be suspected when a cystic lesion is present in the CPA and does not involve internal acoustic meatus or dura mater of the skull base. Skillful microsurgical techniques and monitoring of cranial nerves will secure good outcomes for patients with cystic CMs in the CPA.</p

Minorities with lupus nephritis and medications: a study of facilitators to medication decision-making

Prioritized facilitators in AA2 (UAB, Birmingham, AA, 6 low SES, 1 high SES). This table provides a list of prioritized facilitators to help patients make decisions about treatment choices in African-American patients in nominal group 2. AA African-American, SES socioeconomic status, UAB University of Alabama at Birmingham (DOC 43 kb

Overexpression of serine racemase in retina and overproduction of D-serine in eyes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent data indicate that inflammatory mechanisms contribute to diabetic retinopathy (DR). We have determined that serine racemase (SR) expression is increased by inflammatory stimuli including liposaccharide (LPS), amyloid β-peptide (A-beta), and secreted amyloid precursor protein (sAPP); expression is decreased by the anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone. We tested possibility that SR and its product, D-serine, were altered in a rat model of DR.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 70 mg/kg body weight) to Sprague-Dawley rats produced type-I diabetic mellitus (fasting blood sugar higher than 300 mg/dL). At 3 and 5 months after STZ or saline injection, retinas from some rats were subjected to cryosectioning for immunofluorescent analysis of SR and TUNEL assay of apoptosis. Retinal homogenates were used to detect SR levels and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation by immunoblotting. Aqueous humor and retina were also collected to assay for neurotransmitters, including glutamate and D-serine, by reverse-phase HPLC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to saline-injected rats, STZ-injected (diabetic) rats showed elevation of SR protein levels in retinal homogenates, attributed to the inner nuclear layer (INL) by immunofluorescence. Aqueous humor fluid from STZ-injected rats contained significantly higher levels of glutamate and D-serine compared to controls; by contrast, D-serine levels in retinas did not differ. Levels of activated JNK were elevated in diabetic retinas compared to controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increased expression of SR in retina and higher levels of glutamate and D-serine in aqueous humor of STZ-treated rats may result from activation of the JNK pathway in diabetic sequelae. Our data suggest that the inflammatory conditions that prevail during DR result in elevation of D-serine, a neurotransmitter contributing to glutamate toxicity, potentially exacerbating the death of retinal ganglion cells in this condition.</p

Constant real-space fractal dimensionality and structure evolution in Ti62Cu38 metallic glass under high pressure

The structure of binary Ti62Cu38 metallic glass is investigated under pressures up to 33.8 GPa using the pair distribution function analysis based on high-energy x-ray scattering and reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulations. At a global scale, its relative volume shows a continuously smooth curve as a function of pressure. The isothermal bulk modulus of Ti62Cu38 metallic glass is estimated as B0=132(3)GPa with B0′=5.8(0.4). At a local scale, the atomic packing structure under compression conditions, which is extracted from RMC simulations, shows that the topological short-range order is dominated by the deformed icosahedron polyhedra and basically maintains stable. From the relationship between the relative volume and changing ratio of the atomic separation distances, the real-space fractal dimensionality of this metallic glass is determined as about 2.5 for all of the first four peaks. This experimental result reveals the consistent nature of the fractal feature on the degree of self-similarity in this sample within the entire experimental pressure range

Penentuan Waktu Tanam Bawang Merah(allium Ascalonicum L) Berdasarkan Neraca Air Lahan Di Kecamatan Petang, Kabupaten Badung

The timing of planting shallots (Allium ascalonicum L). Based on Soil Water Balance Land in districts Petang, order to determine the water balance Land in Districts Petang, knowing Water balance land and crop water needs shallots so that can determine the time of planting shallots right in District Petang. This study uses the average precipitation, humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and temperature. From the average data of climate is then used to calculate potential evapotranspiration (ETo) using CropWat application for windows. ETo of calculation is used to analyze the soil water balance, using the method of Thornthwaite and Mather, (1957). The results showed that potential evapotranspiration in the evening during the year amounted to 1643 mm with actual evapotranspiration (ETA) of 1591 mm. Periods of water surplus land in the evening lasted for seven months in November - in May. Water re-charging period (recharge) to the land which has been experiencing drought occurred in November, the best planting time for the shallots in Petang is December. With increasing water needs in accordance with the increasing age of the plant, which peaked in mid-stage season stage. Thus the plants can utilize the water contained in the soil for the growth of vegetative and generative growth of these plants do not require much water and harvest is expected in February

Non-Fossil Origin Explains the Large Seasonal Variation of Highly Processed Organic Aerosol in the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau (3,200 m a.s.l.)

Carbonaceous aerosol plays an important role in climate, but its sources and atmospheric processes are least understood in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), a remote yet climatically sensitive region. This study presents the first seasonal cycle of radiocarbon and stable isotope 13C of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) in the atmosphere of the northeastern TP. Large seasonal variations of EC and OC concentrations were explained by non-fossil sources. Regardless of the season, fossil contribution to OC was strongly correlated with inverse OC concentrations. This allowed the separating a constant background source and a source responsible for OC variability that was mostly of non-fossil origin. The 13C signature of OC shows that OC was highly atmospherically processed and thus less volatile than OC found near sources or in urban areas. The 13C-depleted secondary sources contributed strongly to more volatile OC, whereas the 13C-enriched less volatile OC suggests the influence of atmospheric aging.</p