Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following post-neurosurgical intracranial hypotension: A case report and systematic review of the literature.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following brain surgery is a feared complication, commonly described after direct injury to the sinus. However, distant CVST occurring away from the operative area are unexpected. Yet, there is a strong physio-pathological rational supporting the role of intracranial hypotension as a risk factor of CVST. Here, we report the case of a frontal arachnoid cyst depletion followed by an extensive contralateral CVST. Given the major prognostic consequences observed in this clinical illustration, we further investigated the hypothesis of intracranial hypotension as an etiology of CVST by carrying out a systematic review of the literature.

Extreme philopatry and genetic diversification at unprecedented scales in a seabird.

Effective conservation requires maintenance of the processes underlying species divergence, as well as understanding species' responses to episodic disturbances and long-term change. We explored genetic population structure at a previously unrecognized spatial scale in seabirds, focusing on fine-scale isolation between colonies, and identified two distinct genetic clusters of Barau's Petrels (Pterodroma baraui) on Réunion Island (Indian Ocean) corresponding to the sampled breeding colonies separated by 5 km. This unexpected result was supported by long-term banding and was clearly linked to the species' extreme philopatric tendencies, emphasizing the importance of philopatry as an intrinsic barrier to gene flow. This implies that loss of a single colony could result in the loss of genetic variation, impairing the species' ability to adapt to threats in the long term. We anticipate that these findings will have a pivotal influence on seabird research and population management, focusing attention below the species level of taxonomic organization.

WHO grade II meningioma: Epidemiology, survival and contribution of postoperative radiotherapy in a multicenter cohort of 88 patients.

BACKGROUND: Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor, representing 13-36.6% of all primary central nervous system tumors. Meningiomas are benign in about 90% of cases. World Health Organization (WHO) grade II meningioma is associated with a high rate of recurrence and poorer survival than in grade I. The reference treatment is surgery, which should be as complete as possible. Currently, in grade II, there are no recommendations for systematic adjuvant treatment such as radiotherapy. We studied a homogeneous series of grade II meningiomas treated by surgery in two university hospital centers to analyze use of radiotherapy and its efficacy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients in our database with WHO grade II meningioma, operated on between 2007 and 2010 in the university hospitals of Montpellier and Bordeaux, France. Clinical and radiological data, treatments and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were included. Five-year overall survival was 89.7%. Nineteen patients received radiotherapy during follow-up, without significant impact on survival (P=0.27). CONCLUSION: In WHO grade II meningioma, it is currently difficult to establish clear recommendations for radiotherapy. The present study is in accordance with the literature that early postoperative radiotherapy is not mandatory in grade II meningioma with macroscopically total resection.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE) in intensive care units: strong correlation with the ESBLE colonization pressure in patients but not same species.

Sink drains of six intensive care units (ICUs) were sampled for screening contamination with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE). A high prevalence (59.4%) of sink drain contamination was observed. Analysing the data by ICU, the ratio 'number of ESBLE species isolated in sink drains/total number of sink drains sampled' was highly correlated (Spearman coefficient: 0.87; P = 0.02) with the ratio 'number of hospitalization days for patients with ESBLE carriage identified within the preceding year/total number of hospitalization days within the preceding year'. Concurrently, the distribution of ESBLE species differed significantly between patients and sink drains.

Serological evidence for the circulation of flaviviruses in seabird populations of the western Indian Ocean.

Birds play a central role in the epidemiology of several flaviviruses of concern for public and veterinary health. Seabirds represent the most abundant and widespread avifauna in the western Indian Ocean and may play an important role as host reservoirs and spreaders of arthropod-borne pathogens such as flaviviruses. We report the results of a serological investigation based on blood samples collected from nine seabird species from seven islands in the Indian Ocean. Using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay directed against the prototypic West Nile flavivirus, antibodies against flaviviruses were detected in the serum of 47 of the 855 seabirds tested. They were detected in bird samples from three islands and from four bird species. Seroneutralization tests on adults and chicks suggested that great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) from Europa were infected by West Nile virus during their non-breeding period, and that Usutu virus probably circulated within bird colonies on Tromelin and on Juan de Nova. Real-time polymerase chain reactions performed on bird blood samples did not yield positive results precluding the genetic characterization of flavivirus using RNA sequencing. Our findings stress the need to further investigate flavivirus infections in arthropod vectors present in seabird colonies.

[Hypoglycaemic coma revealing a malignant recurrence during Doege-Potter syndrome]. / Coma hypoglycémique révélant une récidive maligne lors du syndrome de Doege-Potter.

INTRODUCTION: The Doege-Potter syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, first described by Doege and Potter in 1930, that usually involves solid fibrous pleural tumours. Hypoglycaemia is a rare complication of these tumours, due to secretion of insulin-like growth factors, and it can be the presenting symptom. The incidence of malignancy is low, about 12-15 %. CASE REPORT: An 81-year-old Caucasian man, operated on 20 years previously for a benign pleural fibroma, presented with several episodes of loss of consciousness due to profound hypoglycaemia and a history of increasing dyspnea. The chest X-ray revealed an intrathoracic mass. Following excision histological examination confirmed recurrence with malignant transformation to a high-grade sarcoma. CONCLUSION: The Doege-Potter syndrome is a rare condition but it should be suspected in episodes of hypoglycaemia associated with a history of dyspnea. These patients should be followed up postoperatively because of the risk of tumour recurrence.

IGHV gene features and MYD88 L265P mutation separate the three marginal zone lymphoma entities and Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas.

To clarify the relationships between marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) and Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas (WM/LPLs), immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV) features were analyzed and the occurrence of MYD88 L265P mutations was identified in a series of 123 patients: 53 MZLs from the spleen (SMZLs), 11 from lymph nodes (NMZLs), 28 mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) lymphomas and 31 WM/LPLs. SMZLs were characterized by overrepresentation of IGHV1-2 gene rearrangements with a canonical motif, without selection pressure and with long CDR3 segments. NMZLs had increased frequencies of IGHV3 genes. The IGHV gene was unmutated in most cases, often with long CDR3 segments. MALT lymphomas were usually associated with a mutated IGHV gene, but with the absence of selection pressure. WM/LPLs were associated with an IGHV3-23 overrepresentation and high IGHV mutation rate, with features of selection pressure and short CDR3 segments. MYD88 L265P mutations were almost restricted exclusively to WM/LPL patients. Taken all diagnoses together, all patients with MYD88 L265P mutations had an immunoglobulin M peak and almost all patients except one had bone marrow infiltration. These results demonstrate that the history of antigen exposure of the four entities studied was different and MYD88 L265P was specifically associated with WM/LPLs. WM/LPL may thus be functionally associated with constitutive nuclear factor-κB activation.

Bortezomib-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.

Introduction. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients. The most frequent side effects are gastrointestinal and neurological. Serious pulmonary complications have been described rarely. Observation. This case involves a 74-year-old man suffering from IgG Kappa myeloma treated with bortezomib, melphalan, and dexamethasone. After administering chemotherapy, the patient developed an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A surgical pulmonary biopsy proved the existence of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) lesions. Systemic corticotherapy led to a rapid improvement in the patient's condition. Conclusion. This is the first reported histologically confirmed case of bortezomid-induced BOOP. Faced with severe respiratory symptoms in the absence of other etiologies, complications due to bortezomid treatment should be evoked and corticotherapy considered.

[Odontoid fracture: Long-term subarachnoid hemorrhage after anterior screw fixation. Case report and literature review]. / Fracture de l'odontoïde : hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne à distance d'un vissage odontoïdien. À propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Odontoid fractures have been classified by Anderson and D'Alonzo into three main categories. The most unstable injuries, type II fractures involve the base of the odontoid peg at the junction with the C2 body. Due to the proximity of vital neural structures, fracture of the odontoid process may result in instability and fatal neurological damage. Treatment aims to re-establish stability of the atlanto-axial complex by restoring the odontoid process. This may be achieved by conservative or surgical treatment. Anterior screw fixation of the odontoid peg is an interresting alternative surgical option but this technique has a significant complication rate. However, vascular injury is very rare with three case reported in the literature: one case of an intracranial vertebral artery (VA) injury, one case of a cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) injury and one case of anterior pseudoaneurysm of the spinal artery branch. We report a new case of long term vascular injury after screw fixation revealed by a subarachnoid hemorrhage. We discuss the incidence, the mechanisms of injury and the conditions necessary for the occurrence of this complication.

Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 October 2010-30 November 2010.

This article documents the addition of 277 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Ascochyta rabiei, Cambarellus chapalanus, Chionodraco hamatus, Coptis omeiensis, Cynoscion nebulosus, Daphnia magna, Gerbillus nigeriae, Isurus oxyrinchus, Lates calcarifer, Metacarcinus magister, Oplegnathus fasciatus, Pachycondyla verenae, Phaethon lepturus, Pimelodus grosskopfii, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Scomberomorus niphonius, Sepia esculenta, Terapon jarbua, Teratosphaeria cryptica and Thunnus obesus. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Austropotamobius italicus, Cambarellus montezumae, Cambarellus puer, Cambarellus shufeldtii, Cambarellus texanus, Chionodraco myersi, Chionodraco rastrospinosus, Coptis chinensis, Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala, Coptis deltoidea, Coptis teeta, Orconectes virilis, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Pimelodus bochii, Procambarus clarkii, Pseudopimelodus bufonius, Rhamdia quelen, Sepia andreana, Sepiella maindroni, Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus tonggol.

Activación alternativa del macrófago: la diversidad en las respuestas de una célula de la inmunidad innata ante la complejidad de los eventos de su ambiente / Alternative macrophage activation: the diversity of one cell involved in innate immunity in response to its environmental complexity

Los macrófagos son una de las poblaciones celulares más pleiotrópicasdel sistema inmune. Ellos son efectores de la respuestainnata y están involucrados en el inicio y la regulación de las respuestasadaptativas. Esta revisión describe cómo la definición seminalde la activación del macrófago (AM) evolucionó hasta el desarrollode un modelo de dos clases de macrófagos activados. Losmacrófagos activados clásicamente (M1) inducidos por IFN-gamma y/oTNF-alfa muestran un fenotipo tipo Th1, son efectores proinflamatoriosy tienen funciones bactericidas, mientras que los macrófagosactivados alternativamente (M2), que incluye por lo menos tresfenotipos diferentes solapados (M2a, b, c), exhiben un fenotipo tipoTh2 y están involucrados en la resolución de la inflamación y lacuración del tejido. Aunque este modelo clasifica los fenotipos deactivación observados, es importante considerar que subestima lacomplejidad in vivo, donde existe una alta diversidad de estadosde macrófagos activados que emergen en respuesta a diferentesestímulos y ambientes, son influenciados por su heterogeneidad yconforman un continuum de activación.Profundizando acerca de los mecanismos que definen estosfenotipos, será posible entender mejor la influencia y el papelde los macrófagos activados alternativamente en las respuestasinmunes reguladas por ellos y en la patogénesis de diferentesenfermedades asociadas con el desarrollo de este grupo de macrófagos

Macrophages are one of the most pleiotropic cell populationsof the immune system. They are effectors of the innate responseand are involved in the initiation and regulation of the adaptativeresponses. This review depicts how the seminal definition ofmacrophage activation evolved until the development of a modelof two major classes of activated macrophages. Classically activatedmacrophages (M1) induced by IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha showa Th1-like phenotype, are pro-inflammatory effectors and havebactericidal functions, while alternatively activated macrophages(M2), that include at least three different overlapping phenotypes,(M2a, b and c), are generated by different mediators, exhibita Th2-like phenotype and are involved in the resolution of inflammationand wound healing. Although this model classifies theobserved phenotypes of activation, it is important to keep in mindthat it underestimates the complexity of the situation in vivo, wherea high diversity of macrophage activated stages, emerging in responseto different stimulus and environments, are influenced bythis heterogeneity and conform an activation continuum.Getting insights about the mechanisms that might define thosephenotypes, it will be possible to better understand the influenceand role of alternatively activated macrophages in the immune responsesregulated by them and in the pathogenesis of different diseasesassociated with the development of this group of macrophages

Trace elements in three marine birds breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian ocean): part 2-factors influencing their detoxification.

Seabird tissues collected between 2002 and 2004 from Barau's Petrel (Pterodroma baraui), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri bailloni), and White-Tailed Trop icbird (Phaethon lepturus) colonies on Reunion Island were analyzed for metallothioneins (MTs) and trace element content. The subcellular distribution between soluble and insoluble fractions of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn was determined in liver and kidney. In both, the soluble fraction of the cell concentrated most of the Cd and Se, whereas Fe, Mn, and Zn were preferentially accumulated in the insoluble fraction. The distribution of these elements varied with the tissue, age of the bird, and species. Furthermore, the distributions of Fe and Mn were somewhat influenced by the bird's physical condition. MT levels were measured in the soluble fraction after heat denaturation. The levels of these proteins varied from 5.5 +/- 2.7 mg x g(-1) dry weight (dw) to 11.4 +/- 6.2 mg x g(-1) dw depending on the species and the tissue considered. MT levels were significantly different between liver and kidney only in the White-Tailed Tropicbird. In the three species, MT levels in kidney were significantly higher in adult than juvenile birds. The bird's weight also had an influence on hepatic and renal MT levels, but not the sex nor the reproductive status. The implication of MTs in Cu and Zn homeostasis and Cd and Hg detoxification are discussed. In addition, clues on Hg regulation by Se were found, especially in Barau's Petrel, where the levels of these two elements were significantly correlated.

Trace elements in three marine birds breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian ocean): part 1-factors influencing their bioaccumulation.

This work aimed to use seabirds as bioindicators of trace element levels in the tropical waters and food webs of the Western Indian Ocean. The accumulation patterns of selected toxic (Cd and Hg) and essential (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn) elements were determined in liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle of 162 marine birds belonging to 3 species collected in Reunion Island between 2002 and 2004. These pelagic seabirds belong to the following species: Barau's Petrel (Pterodroma baraui), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri bailloni), and White-Tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus). Hg levels were also measured in breast feathers. Highest mean kidney Cd and liver Hg levels (respectively, 27.79 +/- 13.78 microg x g (-1) dry weight (dw) and 24.31 +/- 14.13 microg x g (-1) dw) were found in the squid-eating Barau's Petrel. Barau's Petrel feather Hg levels fell in the range of 0.6 to 2.7 microg x g(-1) dw previously reported for other petrels and shearwaters. The values of the other elements were also in the same range as those previously reported in the published literature concerning related seabirds, although Se and Zn burdens in the Reunion birds were among the highest values. Levels of Zn, Fe, and, to a lesser extent, Cu appeared to be regulated in seabird tissues. Uptake and pathways of metabolism and storage seemed to be similar for the five essential elements. The reproductive status of the bird did not seem to affect element levels, which, moreover, were not significantly different between male and female birds. However, trace elements in sampled birds varied according to the tissue considered, the age of the animal, and its species. Diet was seemingly a major influencing factor. Health status also appeared to have an impact on element levels.

A report of a desmoplastic ganglioglioma in a 12-year-old girl with review of the literature.

Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma is a supratentorial tumor that typically occurs in infants below the age of 24 months. Rare tumors with the same radiological and histological characteristics have been described in older subjects. We report a case of desmoplastic ganglioglioma in a 12-year-old girl with a 13 years follow-up. The patient presented with an inaugural generalized seizure. CT scan demonstrated a large superficial parieto-occipital mass, attached to the dura with solid and cystic components. Surgical resection was macroscopically complete. No adjuvant treatment was given. Thirteen years after surgery, the patient is symptom free. Histological examination revealed a pleomorphic tumor involving the meningeal space and the cortex. Meningeal portion was made of neoplastic astrocytes enmeshed in a dense network of connective tissue. The cortical component showed abnormal neurons, tumoral astrocytes and small foci of poorly differentiated cells with rare mitoses. Our observation and the seven others found in the literature indicate that desmoplastic gangliogliomas can occur in children and even in young adults. Despite some worrisome radiological and histological features, these tumors should not be misdiagnosed as malignant glioma. Like infantile cases, non-infantile desmoplastic gangliogliomas seem to have a favorable prognosis without additional therapy, if a total surgical resection can be performed.

The three-dimensional flight of red-footed boobies: adaptations to foraging in a tropical environment?

In seabirds a broad variety of morphologies, flight styles and feeding methods exist as an adaptation to optimal foraging in contrasted marine environments for a wide variety of prey types. Because of the low productivity of tropical waters it is expected that specific flight and foraging techniques have been selected there, but very few data are available. By using five different types of high-precision miniaturized logger (global positioning systems, accelerometers, time depth recorders, activity recorders, altimeters) we studied the way a seabird is foraging over tropical waters. Red-footed boobies are foraging in the day, never foraging at night, probably as a result of predation risks. They make extensive use of wind conditions, flying preferentially with crosswinds at median speed of 38 km h(-1), reaching highest speeds with tail winds. They spent 66% of the foraging trip in flight, using a flap-glide flight, and gliding 68% of the flight. Travelling at low costs was regularly interrupted by extremely active foraging periods where birds are very frequently touching water for landing, plunge diving or surface diving (30 landings h(-1)). Dives were shallow (maximum 2.4 m) but frequent (4.5 dives h(-1)), most being plunge dives. While chasing for very mobile prey like flying fishes, boobies have adopted a very active and specific hunting behaviour, but the use of wind allows them to reduce travelling cost by their extensive use of gliding. During the foraging and travelling phases birds climb regularly to altitudes of 20-50 m to spot prey or congeners. During the final phase of the flight, they climb to high altitudes, up to 500 m, probably to avoid attacks by frigatebirds along the coasts. This study demonstrates the use by boobies of a series of very specific flight and activity patterns that have probably been selected as adaptations to the conditions of tropical waters.

[Isolated neurosarcoidosis without systemic signs]. / Neurosarcoïdose isolée sans signes systémiques.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease which involves the nervous system in 5 to 15 p.cent. Neurosarcoidosis without signs of systemic disease is rare and may be difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a 61 year-old patient with a pseudotumoral neurosarcoidosis and along evolution of 25 years without systemic signs. In such cases, histological analysis is rewarding.

The mind and brain scholar as a hitchhiker in the post-Gutenberg galaxy: publishing at 2000 and beyond.

Electronic journal (e-journal) publishing has started to change the ways we think about publishing. However, many scholars and scientists in the mind and brain sciences are still ignorant of the new possibilities and ongoing debates. This paper will provide a summary of the issues involved, give an update of the current discussion, and supply practical information on issues related to e-journal publishing and self-archiving relevant for the mind and brain sciences. Issues such as differences between traditional and e-journal publishing, open archive initiatives, worldwide conventions, quality control, costs involved in e-journal publishing, and copyright questions will be addressed. Practical hints on how to self-archive, how to submit to the e-journal Psycoloquy, how to create an open research archive, and where to find information relevant to e-publishing will be supplied.