Isolation of Cells from Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 Tumors for Infection with Zika Virus prME and ME Pseudotyped HIV-1.

This study aimed to isolate cells from grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme tumors for infection experiments with Zika virus (ZIKV) prME or ME enveloped HIV-1 pseudotypes. The cells obtained from tumor tissue were successfully cultured in human cerebrospinal fluid (hCSF) or a mixture of hCSF/DMEM in cell culture flasks with polar and hydrophilic surfaces. The isolated tumor cells as well as the U87, U138, and U343 cells tested positive for ZIKV receptors Axl and Integrin αvß5. Pseudotype entry was detected by the expression of firefly luciferase or green fluorescent protein (gfp). In prME and ME pseudotype infections, luciferase expression in U-cell lines was 2.5 to 3.5 logarithms above the background, but still two logarithms lower than in the VSV-G pseudotype control. Infection of single cells was successfully detected in U-cell lines and isolated tumor cells by gfp detection. Even though prME and ME pseudotypes had low infection rates, pseudotypes with ZIKV envelopes are promising candidates for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Spatial trends and factors affecting mercury bioaccumulation in freshwater fishes of Washington State, USA.

Twenty-four lakes in Washington State, United States, were sampled for largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as water chemistry parameters during 2005 to 2009 to evaluate trends in mercury (Hg) concentrations. We analyzed spatial patterns in bass Hg levels across a gradient of land and climate types, lake chemistry parameters, and physical watershed characteristics to identify factors influencing Hg bioaccumulation. Across the state, bass Hg levels followed rainfall patterns and were statistically greater on the coastal west side of the state and lowest in the drier eastern region. Lake and watershed variables with the strongest correlations to Hg bioaccumulation in bass were annual watershed precipitation (+) and lake alkalinity (-). Principal component analysis (PCA) explaining 50.3 % of the variance in the dataset indicated that wet, forested landscapes were more likely to contain lakes with greater fish Hg levels than alkaline lakes in drier agriculture-dominated or open space areas. The PCA did not show wetland abundance and lake DOC levels as variables influencing bass Hg levels, but these were generally associated with small, shallow lakes containing greater chlorophyll levels. The effect of in-lake productivity may have counteracted the role of wetlands in Hg bioaccumulation among this study's lakes.

Glioma with Leptomeningeal Spread Mimics Chronic Meningoencephalitis in a Young Adult.

The most malignant type of intrinsic brain tumor is glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). Primary leptomeningeal spread is rare and leads to a variety of differential considerations, as there is no typical clinical or imaging pattern. Here we present a rare and uncommon case of a primary leptomeningeal glioblastoma in combination with a low-grade glioma in a 21-year-old male, initially presenting with only headache and lower back pain. The presented case illustrates the challenging differential considerations and the severe course of leptomeningeal glioblastomas.

Case Report of Cerebellar Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disorder in women which is characterized by extrauterine manifestations. We describe a case of cerebellar endometriosis in a 39-year-old woman who underwent posterior fossa decompression multiple times without establishing a correct diagnosis. Her neurologic status progressively worsened due to chronic hydrocephalus and brainstem compression by cysts. Late in the clinical course, histology from the cyst wall was taken that revealed endometriosis with clear cells and positive immunohistology for progesterone and estrogen receptors. Treatment with gestagens was started but did not improve the patient's status. In patients with chronic recurring intracranial cysts and hydrocephalus, cerebral endometriosis should be considered.

Accuracy of High-Field Intraoperative MRI in the Detectability of Residual Tumor in Glioma Grade IV Resections.

Objective To assess the sensitivity/specificity of tumor detection by T1 contrast enhancement in intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) in comparison to histopathological assessment as the gold standard in patients receiving surgical resection of grade IV glioblastoma. Materials and Methods 68 patients with a primary or a recurrent glioblastoma scheduled for surgery including fluorescence guidance and neuronavigation were included (mean age: 59 years, 26 female, 42 male patients). The ioMRI after the first resection included transverse FLAIR, DWI, T2-FFE and T1 - 3 d FFE +/- GD-DPTA. The second resection was performed whenever residual contrast-enhancing tissue was detected on ioMRI. Resected tissue samples were histopathologically evaluated (gold standard). Additionally, we evaluated the early postoperative MRI scan acquired within 48 h post-OP for remaining enhancing tissue and compared them with the ioMRI scan. Results In 43 patients ioMRI indicated residual tumorous tissue, which could be confirmed in the histological specimens of the second resection. In 16 (4 with recurrent, 12 with primary glioblastoma) cases, ioMRI revealed truly negative results without residual tumor and follow-up MRI confirmed complete resection. In 7 cases (3 with recurrent, 4 with primary glioblastoma) ioMRI revealed a suspicious result without tumorous tissue in the histopathological workup. In 2 (1 for each group) patients, residual tumorous tissue was detected in spite of negative ioMRI. IoMRI had a sensitivity of 95 % (94 % recurrent and 96 % for primary glioblastoma) and a specificity of 69.5 % (57 % and 75 %, respectively). The positive predictive value was 86 % (84 % for recurrent and 87 % for primary glioblastoma), and the negative predictive value was 88 % (80 % and 92 %, respectively). Conclusion ioMRI is effective for detecting remaining tumorous tissue after glioma resection. However, scars and leakage of contrast agent can be misleading and limit specificity. Key points · Intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) presents with a high sensitivity for residual contrast-enhancing tumorous tissue during glioma resection.. · Contrast leakage due to bleeding and scars with reactive contrast enhancement can cause possible misleading artifacts in ioMRI, leading to a limited specificity of ioMRI.. · Bleeding control in glioma resection is crucial for successful usage of ioMRO for glioma resection.. Citation Format · Heßelmann V, Mager A, Goetz C et al. Accuracy of High-Field Intraoperative MRI in the Detectability of Residual Tumor in Glioma Grade IV Resections. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 519 - 526.

Esophageal metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer: diagnosis by 131I SPECT/CT.

We report a case of esophageal metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed by I SPECT/CT. A 70-year-old man presented with increasing thyroglobulin levels 13 years after thyroidectomy and ablation with I for thyroid cancer. The whole-body radioiodine scan demonstrated marked tracer uptake in the mediastinum, and SPECT/CT could clearly localize the activity to the esophagus. Subsequent surgical resection with histopathologic evaluation revealed an esophageal metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer. I SPECT/CT is a valuable tool for evaluation and precise anatomical localization of the foci of radionuclide activity in thyroid cancer, enabling adequate treatment.

Proliferative activity of microvascular cells in glioblastomas does not correlate with time to recurrence.

The time to recurrence operation (TR) is a good growth parameter, in particular for glioblastomas. Recently, we have shown that Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of tumor cells has a high inverse correlation with this time interval. In the current study, the LI of microvascular cells (MVC) was examined in the same glioblastoma cases. The LI of MVC of primary and recurrent tumors had no relationship and did not show any correlation to TR. The growth fraction of MVC was significantly lower than that of tumor cells. The MVC in glioblastomas seems to have chaotical proliferation properties without any link to the tumor growth potential. This observation may have implications for anti-angiogenic therapy.

Methyl-[11C]- l-methionine uptake as measured by positron emission tomography correlates to microvessel density in patients with glioma.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using methyl-[(11)C]- l-methionine ([(11)C]MET) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of brain tumours. The main mechanism of [(11)C]MET uptake is probably increased transport via the L-transporter system located in the endothelial cell membrane. We used [(11)C]MET-PET and microvessel count in glioma specimens to investigate whether the increased amino acid uptake is related to angiogenesis. Twenty-one patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed glioma were investigated with [(11)C]MET-PET before open surgery. [(11)C]MET uptake was determined within an 8-mm region of interest in the area of the tumour showing the highest uptake, and the ratio to uptake in the corresponding contralateral region was calculated. To measure angiogenesis, immunostaining with factor VIII antibody was applied to sections from tumour tissue, and highlighted microvessels were counted in the area of highest vascularisation. In the entire patient group, a positive correlation was found between microvessel count and [(11)C]MET uptake (Spearman: r=0.89, P<0.001). This correlation was also significant in subgroups of patients [patients with grade II and III astrocytomas (Spearman: r=0.77, P<0.01) and patients with glioblastoma (Spearman: r=0.64, P<0.05)]. Angiogenesis, as assessed by microvessel count, and increased amino acid uptake, as assessed by [(11)C]MET-PET, are closely related events in gliomas. [(11)C]MET-PET offers a direct measure of amino acid transport and an indirect measure of microvessel density. [(11)C]MET-PET might be a useful tool to select potential responders to anti-angiogenic therapy and to monitor patients during such therapy.