Acta neuropathologica
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Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1994
Comparative StudyThe effect of focal cerebral cooling on perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.
We describe a method of focal cooling of the head and its effects on hypoxic-ischemic cerebral damage in neonatal rat. Focal cooling of the head was obtained by positioning a catheter under the scalp ipsilateral to the ligated common carotid artery and by running cold water through the catheter during 2 h of systemic hypoxia. Hypoxia was produced in neonatal rats by breathing 8% oxygen for 2 h in a 37 degrees C chamber. ⋯ At a mean scalp temperature of 28 degrees C, mean hippocampal temperature in hypoxic rat was 29.5 degrees C and mean core temperature in hypoxic rat was 32.8 degrees C. At a lower scalp temperature of 22 degrees C, mean hippocampal temperature in hypoxic rat was 24.7 degrees C and mean core temperature was 31.3 degrees C. Neuropathologic examination 3-4 days following hypoxia-ischemia showed that focal cooling with a scalp temperature of lower than 28 degrees C completely protected from brain damage, and that there was a trend towards greater damage with higher scalp temperatures.
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Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1993
Acute varicella-zoster virus ventriculitis and meningo-myelo-radiculitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
A 30-year-old AIDS patient with no history of cutaneous eruption, presented with rapidly progressive flaccid paraplegia, hypoesthesia, urinary retention, moderate psychomotor slowing and fever (39.8 degrees C), leading to death within 1 week. CD4 count was 290/mm3. Cerebrospinal fluid contained 210 white blood cells and 238 mg/100 ml protein. ⋯ Direct infection of the brain by VZV, in AIDS patients, has been shown to cause leukoencephalitis and cerebral non-inflammatory vasculopathies. Our observations demonstrate that, in AIDS patients, VZV infection of the central nervous system may also be responsible for meningo-myelo-radiculitis possibly secondary to ventriculitis as in CMV infection. The role of VZV in the pathogenesis of some AIDS-related vasculitides seems also very likely.
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Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1993
Early ependymal changes in experimental hydrocephalus after mumps virus inoculation in hamsters.
To elucidate the pathogenesis of early ventricular dilatation in hydrocephalus, we examined early morphological changes in ependymal layers at the lateral ventricles in suckling hamsters without aqueductal stenosis 5 days after the intracerebral inoculation of mumps virus. Mumps virus antigen was detectable in all ependymal cells. ⋯ Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic viral-like inclusions in the infected ependymal cells. These results suggest that functional and morphological disturbances in infected ependymal cells may cause early ventricular dilatation before aqueductal stenosis occurs.
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Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1993
Early recovery of protein synthesis following ischemia in hippocampal neurons with induced tolerance in the gerbil.
Following brief cerebral ischemia, tolerance to subsequent ischemia is induced in the hippocampal neurons. In this experiment, recovery of protein synthesis was investigated autoradiographically in gerbils with induced tolerance. The animals were subjected to single forebrain ischemia for 5 min (5-min ischemia group) or 2 min (2-min ischemia group). ⋯ Protein synthesis in the CA2 sector was inhibited during the 4 days of recirculation in this group. The present study revealed an early recovery of protein synthesis in the hippocampal CA1 neurons in the gerbil with induced tolerance. We suggest that recovery of protein synthesis is essential for the survival of neurons exposed to transient ischemia.
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Acta neuropathologica · Jan 1991
Reassessment of a new model of complete cerebral ischemia in rats. Method of induction of clinical death, pathophysiology and cerebrovascular pathology.
The present study was undertaken to ascertain the role of the microcirculation in the phenomenon of hypoperfusion following complete cerebral ischemia. The experiments were performed on rats under superficial ether anesthesia. Cerebral ischemia was induced by cardiac arrest for 3.5 or 10 min, with survival periods that lasted from 3 min to 7 days. ⋯ The data presented here indicate that progressive hypoperfusion after ischemia occurs with significant alterations in the MV walls. These studies collectively suggest that the focal responses in select MVs may be associated with receptor molecule up-regulation of some, but not all, affected ECs. Our data provide further characterization of a new and unique chronic model of brain ischemia that can be applied to relevant clinical studies.