Access to the ophthalmic artery by retrograde approach through the posterior communicating artery for intra-arterial chemotherapy of retinoblastoma.

Intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapy into the ophthalmic artery for treatment of retinoblastoma has been realized after catheterization of the internal carotid and temporary balloon occlusion beyond the orifice of the ophthalmic artery, or more recently after superselective canulation of the ophthalmic artery by a microcatheter. The superselective catheterization of the ophthalmic artery could be cumbersome because of the implantation of the ostium on the carotid siphon or because of the tortuosity of the carotid siphon. We report our experience of using a retrograde approach through the posterior communicating artery that allows a more direct angle of access to the origin of the ophthalmic artery.

Tau-positive grains are constant in centenarians' hippocampus.

The influence of age on the prevalence of argyrophilic grain disease has been analyzed in the hippocampus from 29 centenarians. Argyrophilic grains were detected in 12 cases with Gallyas silver method, in 24 cases with anti-exon 10 (RD4) immunohistochemistry, in all the cases with a phospho-independent anti-tau (piTau) antibody and with a monoclonal antibody against Ser202 of the tau protein (AT8), suggesting a maturation of the grains. Ballooned neurons were found in the hippocampus of 12 cases in which grains were, on average, more abundant. Coiled bodies were found in 26, 15 and 13 cases respectively with piTau antibody, RD4 and Gallyas method. Cases with coiled bodies had a higher density of grains. The mean density of grains did not differ in the patients with or without dementia. The prevalence of tau-positive grains has been underestimated in the very old population. As neurofibrillary tangles, they appear to be a constant accompaniment of age but, contrarily to neurofibrillary tangles, do not seem to be strongly associated with dementia.

Histologic results of para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients treated for stage IB2/II cervical cancer with negative [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans in the para-aortic area.

PURPOSE: Histologic results of complete para-aortic lymphadenectomy were studied in patients treated for stage IB2/II cervical carcinoma who had no para-aortic uptake on [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with integrated computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated between 2004 and 2006 for stage IB2/II cervical cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis and FDG-PET/CT were initially performed. Patients with no para-aortic abnormalities were treated with external pelvic radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy followed by utero-vaginal brachytherapy. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was then performed. FDG-PET/CT images were reviewed by two nuclear medicine specialists. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were studied. Three patients had histologically proven para-aortic involvement (metastatic nodes with capsular rupture in the para-aortic area), leading to a negative predictive value of 92% for para-aortic nodal involvement. CONCLUSION: In this study, three of 38 patients with no para-aortic uptake on [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT imaging had histologically proven para-aortic node involvement. PET/CT imaging without histologic examination of the para-aortic area used to determine radiation therapy fields in stage IB2/II cervical cancer would overlook 8% of patients with histologic para-aortic nodal involvement.

Convergence of heat shock protein 90 with ubiquitin in filamentous alpha-synuclein inclusions of alpha-synucleinopathies.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) facilitate refolding of denatured polypeptides, but there is limited understanding about their roles in neurodegenerative diseases characterized by misfolded proteins. Because Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy are alpha-synucleinopathies characterized by filamentous alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) inclusions, we assessed which Hsps might be implicated in these disorders by examining human brain samples, transgenic mouse models, and cell culture systems. Light and electron microscopic multiple-label immunohistochemistry showed Hsp90 was the predominant Hsp examined that co-localized with alpha-syn in Lewy bodies, Lewy neurites, and glial cell inclusions and that Hsp90 co-localized with alpha-syn filaments of Lewy bodies in PD. Hsp90 levels were most predominantly increased in PD brains, which correlated with increased levels of insoluble alpha-syn. These alterations in Hsp90 were recapitulated in a transgenic mouse model of PD-like alpha-syn pathologies. Cell culture studies also revealed that alpha-syn co-immunoprecipitated preferentially with Hsp90 and Hsc70 relative to other Hsps, and exposure of cells to proteasome inhibitors resulted in increased levels of Hsp90. These data implicate predominantly Hsp90 in the formation of alpha-syn inclusions in PD and related alpha-synucleinopathies.