Suppressors of interictal discharges in idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut

Idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut (ICOE-G) is a rare form of epilepsy, characterized by visual hallucinations, periods of blindness, motor seizures, and migraine-like symptoms. A characteristic EEG feature is fixation-off sensitivity: epileptiform discharges are suppressed by visual input. Here, we present an 11-year-old girl suffering from ICOE-G, who was studied to identify potential additional suppressors of the epileptiform discharges.

On the biocompatibility of a novel Ti-based amorphous composite: structural characterization and in-vitro osteoblasts response

Titanium and its alloys are frequently used as dental and orthopaedic implants due to their high mechanical strength, low elastic modulus and biocompatibility. However, as these materials have a poor wear resistance, tribo-chemical reactions during use produce debris accumulation, resulting in adverse cellular responses. In that sense, amorphous based materials are potential candidates, considering their hardness and crack growth resistance. This paper reports on the structural characterization of the as-quenched Ti45Zr38Ni17 alloy. This system displays a duplex structure never mentioned before with a low dispersion of nanometric beta-phase particles in an amorphous matrix. Moreover, in order to explore the biocompatibility of such composite, primary osteoblasts cultures are used to analyse cell behaviour around and upon the metallic surface. Osteoblasts attach and proliferate on the material as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Cell proliferation and bone nodule formation are also observed in cultures with Ti45Zr38Ni17 particles by phase contrast microscope. In addition, transmission electron microscopy reveals ultrastructural features very close to those observed in vivo during intramembranous ossification with active osteoblasts surrounded by an extracellular matrix and a mineralized one. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that osteoblasts, cultured in presence of Ti45Zr38Ni17 alloy, proliferate, differentiate and synthesize bone matrix.

Toxoplasmosis after renal transplantation: implications of a missed diagnosis

We describe a renal transplant patient with a primary Toxoplasma gondii infection presenting as pneumonitis, with subsequent chorioretinitis and encephalitis. The diagnostic challenges of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised patients are discussed.

Inhibition of polyglutamine aggregation in R6/2 HD brain slices-complex dose-response profiles

Huntington's disease (HD) is a late onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG/polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion. PolyQ aggregates can be detected in the nuclei and processes of neurons in HD patients and mouse models prior to the onset of symptoms. The misfolding and aggregation pathway is an important therapeutic target. To better test the efficacy of aggregation inhibitors, we have developed an organotypic slice culture system. We show here that the formation of polyQ aggregates in hippocampal slices established from the R6/2 mouse follows the same prescribed sequence as occurs in vivo. Using this assay, we show that Congo red and chrysamine G can modulate aggregate formation, but show complex dose-response curves. Oral administration of creatine has been shown to delay the onset of all aspects of the phenotype and neuropathology in R6/2 mice. We show here that creatine can similarly inhibit aggregate formation in the slice culture assay.