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The adoption of bioinputs in agriculture has aroused great interest in recent years and, in this scenario, the inoculation of crops with synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) has shown to be promising. In sugarcane crop, inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) in consortium with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has shown positive results on plant development and nutrition. However, considering that the microbiota plays a fundamental role in the growth and health of the host plant, especially the endophytes, which are closely associated, few studies have explored the effects of SynCom inoculation on the endophytic microbiota of sugarcane. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SynCom inoculation on the structure of the endophytic microbiota of sugarcane. The results of the analyses revealed that the microbiota diversity remained unchanged due to the inoculation treatment, while differences in microbial communities were found between the two evaluated commercial cultivars, RB867515 and RB92579, and between the two plant organs, roots and culms, under field conditions at the end of the first crop growth cycle (~360 days). Furthermore, microbes specifically detected in roots or culms present potential valuable applications in sugarcane cultivation in the future. Altogether, our data support that the inoculated microorganisms exerted their beneficial effects during the initial stages of plant development, which opens up space for new research with SynComs in these primordial stages of cane cropping. • Inoculation of a SynCom onto sugarcane does not alter its microbiota after 360 days. • There are differences in alpha diversity of bacteria between two commercial cultivars. • There are differences in beta diversity of bacteria and fungi between roots and stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) is deployed worldwide in commercial (organic) apple orchards to control the pest codling moth (Cydia pomonella). Due to its strong UV sensitiveness and its low uptake the encapsulation of the untreated CpGV within an organic matrix together with admixed UV protectants and phago-stimulants is needed. The Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions (PGSS) process was further developed in order to meet the requirements for the encapsulation of the CpGV with respect to temperature sensitivity and environmental compatibility. The produced virus-loaded microcapsules are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser diffraction, and UV spectroscopy. Finally, the efficiency and sprayability of the encapsulated CpGV formulation as biological plant protection agent were successfully verified in laboratory bioassays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Space-occupying, malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions are still one of the most devastating forms of ischaemic stroke, with a mortality of up to 80% in untreated patients. An early diagnosis is essential and depends on CT and MRI to aid the prediction of a malignant course. Several pharmacological strategies have been proposed but the efficacy of these approaches has not been supported by adequate evidence from clinical trials and, until recently, treatment of malignant MCA infarctions has been a major unmet need. Over the past 3 years, results from randomised controlled trials and their pooled analyses have provided evidence that an early hemicraniectomy leads to a substantial decrease in mortality at 6 and 12 months and is likely to improve functional outcome. Hemicraniectomy is now in routine use for the clinical management of malignant MCA infarction in patients younger than 60 years of age. However, there are still important questions about the individual indication for decompressive surgery, particularly with regard to the ideal timing of hemicraniectomy, a potential cut-off age for the procedure, the hemisphere affected, and ethical considerations about functional outcome in surviving patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; Aspirin) has a neuroprotective potential by its anti-excitotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. A temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was used in 80 Wistar rats to evaluate whether a high dose of Aspirin (40 mg/kg) applied with different initiation time points after stroke onset (30 min, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 20 rats for each time group) and followed by repeated administration (1, 2 and 3 days) is neuroprotective. Neurological score and brain infarct volume were analyzed and indicated that postischemic therapy initiation at 30 min and as late as 6 h led to better neurological recovery (6 h, p =0.0046) and significant smaller infarct size (6 h, 57±9 mm3, n =10, p =0.0043) compared to the saline control group (110±13 mm3, n =10). Thus, there may be a relatively wide time window for acute stroke therapy with high dose Aspirin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since pravastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has recently been shown to reduce infarct volumes and glutamate release in a rat model of ischemic stroke, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether this neuroprotective effect may be due to a modulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors. Therefore, Wistar rats were treated six times in 4 days with pravastatin or saline and allowed to survive for 6 hours or 5 days (n =10 per time point and group), respectively. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, ligand binding densities of [3H]MK-801, [3H]AMPA, and [3H]muscimol for labeling of NMDA, AMPA, and GABAA receptors were analyzed in sensorimotor cortices Par1 and Par2, the striatum, and the hippocampus. Statin therapy induced complex alterations of ligand binding densities in different brain regions. Labeling of NMDA receptors was significantly increased in Par2, both after 6 hours and 5 days, respectively. Within the striatum, AMPA as well as GABAA receptor binding values were significantly increased on day 5. Furthermore, a marked and significant increase of [3H]muscimol ligand binding to GABAA receptors throughout all hippocampal subfields was seen after 6 hours. This complexity could easily be unraveled when focusing on the balance between excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABAA receptors, in which case only the increase of hippocampal [3H]muscimol ligand binding 6 hours after the first application of pravastatin was accompanied by a net shift towards inhibition. Consequently, our data suggest an additional regulatory pathway induced by statins, namely modification of the abundance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have previously shown that exogenous application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) reduces infarct volume in the cortical ischemic penumbra after experimental focal ischemia [Stroke 31 (2000) 2212–2217]. Since BDNF is known to modulate the expression and function of various neurotransmitter receptors, we addressed the question whether BDNF may act via modification of postischemic ligand binding to excitatory NMDA and AMPA and/or inhibitory GABAA receptors, respectively. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in male Wistar rats for 2 h using the suture occlusion technique. A period of 30 min after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, BDNF (300 μg/kg per hour in vehicle; n=5) or vehicle alone (n=5) was continuously infused intravenously for 3 h. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, postischemic ligand binding of [3H]MK-801, [3H]AMPA and [3H]muscimol was analyzed in the ischemic core, the ischemic cortical penumbra and corresponding regions of the contralateral hemisphere. Transient focal ischemia caused a significant reduction of [3H]muscimol binding to GABAA receptors within the ischemic cortical penumbra of placebo-treated rats. This was largely prevented by exogenous application of BDNF. [3H]MK-801 and [3H]AMPA binding values were also reduced in the cortical penumbra and the corresponding area of the contralateral hemisphere. Our data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of BDNF against ischemic damage in the cortical penumbra may be mediated in part by maintained activity of the inhibitory GABAergic system which likely counteracts glutamate induced excitotoxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Extent of alpha power decrease in qEEG moderately correlates with severity of vasospasm in transcranial ultrasound. • qEEG is able to differentiate between patients with and without development of cerebral infarction after subarachnoid haemorrhage. • Total duration of alpha power decrease in qEEG is an easy, non-invasive marker to survey treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia. In subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), transcranial Doppler/color-coded-duplex sonography (TCD/TCCS) is used to detect delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). In previous studies, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) also predicted imminent DCI. This study aimed to compare and analyse the ability of qEEG and TCD/TCCS to early identify patients who will develop later manifest cerebral infarction. We analysed cohorts of two previous qEEG studies. Continuous six-channel-EEG with artefact rejection and a detrending procedure was applied. Alpha power decline of ≥ 40% for ≥ 5 hours compared to a 6-hour-baseline was defined as significant EEG event. Median reduction and duration of alpha power decrease in each channel was determined. Vasospasm was diagnosed by TCD/TCCS, identifying the maximum frequency and days of vasospasm in each territory. 34 patients were included (17 male, mean age 56 ± 11 years, Hunt and Hess grade: I–V, cerebral infarction: 9). Maximum frequencies in TCD/TCCS and alpha power reduction in qEEG were correlated (r = 0.43; p = 0.015). Patients with and without infarction significantly differed in qEEG parameters (maximum alpha power decrease: 78% vs 64%, p = 0.019; summed hours of alpha power decline: 236 hours vs 39 hours, p = 0.006) but showed no significant differences in TCD/TCCS parameters. There was a moderate correlation of TCD/TCCS frequencies and qEEG alpha power reduction but only qEEG differentiated between patients with and without cerebral infarction. qEEG represents a non-invasive, continuous tool to identify patients at risk of cerebral infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy molding compounds are the most commonly used composite material for encapsulation in the semiconductor industry. They consist of a polymer-based matrix, inorganic filler particles, and a wide range of (in)organic additives to fine-tune the properties. As the encapsulation material is in direct contact with the delicate semiconductor components, the reliability and lifetime of electronic devices heavily depend on applying an appropriate type of encapsulation material. Semiconductor manufacturers typically obtain epoxy molding compounds from specialized external suppliers. Therefore, quality control checking if the correct molding compound was obtained and whether its properties deviate from previous batches is of great interest to the semiconductor industry. In this work, we investigate the capabilities of a Tandem LA-ICP-MS/LIBS approach to comprehensively characterize epoxy molding compounds to construct a classification model capable of distinguishing between different molding compound types. Tandem LA-ICP-MS/LIBS enables detection of the elemental composition of all relevant components within epoxy molding compounds: LIBS can detect polymer-specific signals and the major and minor elements present in the matrix (inorganic filler particles and additives). LA-ICP-MS provides information about elements present at trace levels (e.g., contaminations), which can provide information about batch-to-batch variations. We analyzed 29 samples of 20 molding compound types from 4 different suppliers. Using exploratory data analysis (PCA and HCA), we investigated the spectral fingerprint of the different molding compound types. Finally, a Random Decision Forest-based classifier is optimized and characterized, and a model is constructed. The final classifier is tested with independent samples that were not part of the training set, revealing a satisfying performance and highlighting some molding compound types that are difficult to distinguish. [Display omitted] • Tandem LA-ICP-MS/LIBS method for quality control in the semiconductor industry. • Exploratory data analysis and development of a classification model. • Machine learning based elemental fingerprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, opportunistic and often fatal disease of the CNS which may occur under immunosuppression in transplant patients. Brain stem PML is associated with a particularly bad prognosis. Here, we present a case of a renal transplant patient treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus who developed brain stem PML with limb ataxia, dysarthria and dysphagia. Diagnosis was established by typical MRI features and detection of JCV-DNA in the CSF. Immune reconstitution after stopping MMF and tacrolimus led to a complete and sustained remission of symptoms with improvement of the brain stem lesion over a follow-up over 20 months. In summary, early detection of PML and consequent treatment may improve neurological outcomes even in brain stem disease with a notorious bad prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Contradictory results were reported for the outcome after endovascular recanalization (ERT) in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. We assessed whether a clinical/perfusion CT cerebral blood volume (CBV) mismatch concept (CPM) can identify patients who will benefit from reperfusion therapy. Methods: Imaging and clinical data of 58 consecutive ERT cases with acute anterior circulation stroke (ICA, M1, proximal M2) undergoing intraarterial thrombectomy within 4.5 h after symptom onset were analyzed retrospectively. CPM was defined as NIHSS ≥ 8 and PCT CBV ASPECTS ≥ 7. Minor CBV lesion was defined as PCT CBV ASPECTS ≥ 7. Results: All baseline characteristics other than blood glucose did not differ between the paired groups. Revascularization was achieved in 87.9% of all patients without significant difference between the paired groups. Favorable clinical outcome after 3 months (mRS ≤ 2) resulted in 29.3% of all patients, in contrast to 47.4% of the CPM positive and 52.2% of the minor CBV lesion groups. Conclusion: CPM can identify patients who will benefit from reperfusion therapy in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Purpose: Recent analyses provided evidence that human adult cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in addition to soluble proteins also contains membrane particles that moreover carry the somatic stem cell marker CD133. The significance of CD133 as a potential marker of cellular proliferation, including neurogenesis, remains unresolved. As adult neurogenesis has been implicated to be induced by epileptic seizures this study investigated whether patients with partial epilepsy show a varying amount of membrane-associated CD133 in CSF as compared to healthy adults. Methods: CSF samples of 34 partial epilepsy patients were analyzed and compared to 61 healthy controls. Following sequential centrifugation up to 200,000g quantitative immunoblotting was performed using a mouse monoclonal antibody. Antigen-antibody complexes were detected using enhanced chemiluminescence, and visualized and quantified digitally. Results: The overall amount of membrane particle-associated CD133 was significantly increased in epilepsy patients compared to healthy controls (9.6±2.9ng of bound CD133 antibody versus 7.4±3.8ng; p <0.01). There were no differences according to etiology of epilepsy (cryptogenic, neoplasia, dysplasia, ammon''s horn sclerosis, and others). Dichotomization of the patients according to temporal versus extratemporal foci revealed a significant increase of membrane particle-associated CD133 in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (10.88±3.3ng of bound CD133 antibody versus 8.35±3.48ng; p <0.05). Conclusion: The increased amount of membrane particle-associated CD133 in the CSF of patients with partial epilepsy contributes to the ongoing debate of the source of these particles potentially emerging from subventricular zone astrocytes serving as neural stem cells. As neurogenesis in adults is related to the hippocampus, the significance of the increase of membrane particle-associated CD133 especially in temporal lobe epilepsy needs further clinical correlation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) act as endogenous protective factors of the brain, using different pathways of neuroprotection against neuronal damage. Although several in vivo and in vitro studies confirmed the neuroprotective efficacy of endocannabinoids, no experimental settings compare and explore the neuroprotective potential of AEA and PEA in an acute stroke model. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential by infarct measurement after high (30 mg/kg body weight) and low dosage administration (10 mg/kg body weight) of the endocannabinoid PEA in 49 male Wistar rats. In additions we studied infarct volumes of 22 male Wistar rats receiving the endocannabinoid AEA with a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight or placebo. The neurological outcome was assessed 24 h after ischemia. Endocannabinoids were given intraperitoneally 30 min after initiation of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Infarct volume was calculated on the basis of 2.3.5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. In the PEA high-dose group a significant total infarct reduction of 35% compared to the control group could be observed. AEA-treated rats presented a total infarct reducing effect of 26% compared to controls. Neurological scores, evaluated 24 h after tMCAO and physiological parameters, obtained 45 and 90 min after onset of ischemia showed no significant differences among the groups. As shown here, the endocannabinoids AEA and PEA achieved a significant neuroprotective effect by reducing size of infarcted tissue after tMCAO. Both endocannabinoids may have the potential to treat acute stroke and exert neuroprotection through a variety of mechanisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genus Bacillus has been isolated from a wide range of environments and comprises species with biotechnological applications, such as bioinseticides, biofungicides, and biofertilizers. This study investigated the endophytic occurrence and diversity of Bacilli in the apoplastic fluid of sugarcane cultivated in Brazil. Their biocontrol activity against fungi and their plant growth promotion (PGP) potential in sugarcane mini-set plants were also evaluated. Forty-two Bacillus colonies were isolated from the apoplastic fluid of one-year-old commercial sugarcane varieties and analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The ability to produce indols and siderophores and to solubilize phosphate and zinc were evaluated in vitro , along with their cellulose and protease activity and, antagonistic activity against sugarcane phytopatogenic fungi. The PGP potential was determined using strains which were inoculated in sugarcane mini-set plants grown in sterile substrate and later in unsterilized soil pots. The 16S rRNA analyses demonstrated high bacterial diversity with the majority closely related to B. megaterium followed by B. aryabhattai and B. cereus. B. pumilus , B. velezensis , B. safensis , B. flexus and Paenibacillus taichungensis species were also identified. Most strains were able to produce indol, solubilize zinc oxide and presented cellulase activity, while phosphate solubilization and siderophore production was observed in only few strains. The strains LMC21, LMC44 and LMC48 presented high biocontrol activity against the sugarcane fungi Colletotrichum falcatum. The spore formation was observed for strains grown for 8 days in the HCT medium but not in presence of sugarcane juice. Some strains also accumulated higher biomass in sugarcane (sterile conditions) and a mixture of three Bacillus strains performed better in the soil-pot inoculation experiment. These findings show for the first time that many Bacillus species are present in the apoplastic fluid of sugarcane grown in Brazil and indicate that some strains have PGP and biocontrol potential for application as biofertilizer in sugarcane plants. • Apoplast fluid of sugarcane plants as ecological niche for Bacillus species. • Bacillus species presented high biological activity against sugarcane fungi Colletotrichum falcatum. • A Bacillu s inoculant consortium stimulates growth of sugarcane plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pleiotropic mechanisms beyond their cholesterol lowering effect of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins such as pravastatin are known. We used a temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model in 114 Wistar rats to assess i) whether repeated injections of various doses of pravastatin (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) at 30 min, 6 h, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after stroke onset are neuroprotective, ii) whether attenuation of striatal glutamate and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release is part of the neuroprotective mechanism, and iii) how local cerebral blood flow (CBF) is influenced by pravastatin both in the acute and late stage of ischemia. Animals were sacrificed 5 days after MCAO, infarct size was analyzed with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. As compared to saline (139±14 mm3, n =11), higher doses of pravastatin beyond 0.1 mg/kg significantly reduced infarct size with the greatest effect obtained with 1 mg/kg (60±14 mm3, n =11, P =0.0004). Using cerebral microdialyis in this dose group, we demonstrated that striatal glutamate increase in the ischemic hemisphere was attenuated by pravastatin compared to placebo. Likewise, IL-6 release was diminished at 2 h, but not at 6 h after tMCAO. Improvement of local CBF by pravastatin was observed at day 5, but not at 5 h after tMCAO, thus representing a more long term effect of pravastatin. In conclusion, a relatively high dose of pravastatin administered repetitively after stroke onset improved neurological outcome through various cholesterol-independent mechanisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: This study investigated whether brief exposure to nitrous oxide (N2O) exacerbates levodopa-induced hyperhomocysteinemia, and if co-treatment with folate or entacapone could reduce total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels. Methods: Male Wistar rats ( per group) were randomly treated with vehicle/N2O (group 1), levodopa/nitrogen (group 2), levodopa/N2O (group 3), levodopa/N2O+folate (group 4), or levodopa/N2O+entacapone (group 5). tHcy was measured at 12min, 4, 8, and 12h after anesthesia. Results and conclusion: The combination of N2O-exposure and levodopa treatment significantly increased tHcy in rats. This hyperhomocysteinemia could be prevented by entacapone but not folate co-administration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is associated with an 80% mortality rate. Non-randomised studies have suggested that decompressive surgery reduces this mortality without increasing the number of severely disabled survivors. To obtain sufficient data as soon as possible to reliably estimate the effects of decompressive surgery, results from three European randomised controlled trials (DECIMAL, DESTINY, HAMLET) were pooled. The trials were ongoing when the pooled analysis was planned. Methods: Individual data for patients aged between 18 years and 60 years, with space-occupying MCA infarction, included in one of the three trials, and treated within 48 h after stroke onset were pooled for analysis. The protocol was designed prospectively when the trials were still recruiting patients and outcomes were defined without knowledge of the results of the individual trials. The primary outcome measure was the score on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 1 year dichotomised between favourable (0–4) and unfavourable (5 and death) outcome. Secondary outcome measures included case fatality rate at 1 year and a dichotomisation of the mRS between 0–3 and 4 to death. Data analysis was done by an independent data monitoring committee. Findings: 93 patients were included in the pooled analysis. More patients in the decompressive-surgery group than in the control group had an mRS≤4 (75%vs 24%; pooled absolute risk reduction 51% [95% CI 34–69]), an mRS≤3 (43%vs 21%; 23% [5–41]), and survived (78%vs 29%; 50% [33–67]), indicating numbers needed to treat of two for survival with mRS≤4, four for survival with mRS≤3, and two for survival irrespective of functional outcome. The effect of surgery was highly consistent across the three trials. Interpretation: In patients with malignant MCA infarction, decompressive surgery undertaken within 48 h of stroke onset reduces mortality and increases the number of patients with a favourable functional outcome. The decision to perform decompressive surgery should, however, be made on an individual basis in every patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The prognosis of vertebrobasilar occlusion is grave and therapeutic options are limited. The aim of the present study was to develop a new model of embolic hindbrain ischemia in the rat that closely resembles the clinical situation and that can be used to study pathophysiology and treatment options. After thoracotomy in 20 male Wistar rats, 15 animals received an injection of in vitro prepared autologous blood clots into the left vertebral artery. Five animals without clot injection served as controls. Neurological deficits were assessed in all animals 2h after embolism. After 2h, five animals were sacrificed to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) by iodo-antipyridine autoradiography, and to calculate early cerebellar swelling by comparison of both hemispheres in brain slices. In these animals, autoradiography revealed ipsilesional brain swelling and significantly reduced blood flow values relative to the contralateral (unaffected) structures. Immunohistology showed the typical pattern of focal cerebral ischemia in the brain stem and/or cerebellum in 7 of 10 animals allowed to recover to 24h. Hence, successful thromboembolism was achieved in 12 of 15 animals (80%). With this novel model, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of posterior circulation stroke can be investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and purpose: The timing and mechanisms of protection by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in cerebral ischemia have only been partially elucidated. We monitored the early in vivo effects of HBO after 2 h transient focal ischemia using repetitive MRI. Methods: Wistar rats underwent filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). 40 min after MCAO, rats were placed in a HBO chamber and breathed either 100% O2 at 3.0 atmospheres absolute (ata; n = 24) or at 1.0 ata (control; n = 24) for 1 h. Diffusion, perfusion and T2-weighted MR-images were obtained after 15 min and 3, 6 and 24 h of reperfusion. In 6 axial MR slices, volume of abnormal diffusion and T2w signals were measured in the ischemic hemisphere. Furthermore, hemispheric mean apparent diffusion coefficient- (ADC) and T2 values were calculated for statistical analysis. Results: HBO significantly reduced volume of abnormal DWI signal beginning immediately after reperfusion (control: 92 ± 28 mm3; HBO: 64 ± 17) and lesion size on T2w (control: 375 ± 91 mm3; HBO: 225 ± 39) after 24 h. Correspondingly, mean ADC levels were lower and T2 values higher in the ischemic hemisphere in the control group. HBO reduced histological infarct size at 24 h. Conclusion: High-dose intraischemic HBO therapy has an immediate protective on the brain which is superior to normobaric oxygen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Early craniectomy has shown to reduce infarction size in experimental large MCA infarction probably due to improved leptomeningeal perfusion. Based on the hypothesis that craniectomy may also be beneficial in smaller MCA infarction we evaluated the effects of craniectomy on infarction size in small thromboembolic cerebral infarction in rats.Therefore, thromboembolic cerebral ischemia was induced in 40 rats by endovascular injection of autologous, fibrin-rich emboli. Twenty-one animals with a diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI)-derived infarction size of 50–100mm3 (involving one- to two-third of the MCA territory) at 1h after injection were randomly assigned to two groups. Eleven animals of group 1 immediately underwent craniectomy, ten animals of group 2 (controls) were not treated. Serial DWI was performed at 4 and 24h. Infarction size was assessed by TTC-staining at 48h after emboli injection.As result, prior to treatment, at 1h after emboli injection, infarction size in groups 1 and 2 was 65.9 ± 16.0mm3 and 67.9 ± 17.8mm3, respectively. At 4 and 24h, infarction size in group 1 was 73.5 ± 22.1mm3 and 85.2 ± 24.7mm3, and 76.3 ± 21.0mm3 and 83.4 ± 22.9mm3 in group 2, respectively. TTC-derived infarction size was 84.0 ± 23.3mm3 and 82.7 ± 21.5mm3, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.79).In conclusion, our results demonstrate that for small thromboembolic MCA infarction early craniectomy is not beneficial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is neuroprotective through various pharmacological action sites. We used a temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model in 56 Wistar rats to assess whether repeated ASA injections at 30 min, 6 h, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after stroke onset are neuroprotective. Animals were sacrificed 5 days after MCAO; infarct size was analyzed with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. As compared to saline (164±13 mm3, n=14), only repeated injections of 40 mg/kg ASA (79±18 mm3, n=14, P=0.0029), but not of 20 mg/kg ASA (129±19 mm3, n=15), reduced infarct volume significantly. No significant change was noted with 40 mg/kg ASA injected only once at 30 min after MCAO (117±16 mm3, n=13). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To test the hypothesis that presence of metalloproteases (MMPs), their inhibitors (TIMPs) and their substrate laminin-5 differs between the ischemic core and the surrounding tissue, we examined the impact of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCA:O/R) on these molecules in different regions of the infarct. We also investigated the influence of hypothermia on the progression of the ischemic lesion and MMP activity. Brain sections from 64 Wistar rats subjected to MCA:O/R were examined by means of cytohistochemistry and zymography. The artery was occluded for 2 h followed by 3, 5, 8 and 12 h of reperfusion. Well characterized antibodies against laminin-5, MMPs and TIMP-2 were used. A total of 32 rats were treated with hypothermia. The presence of each antigen was related to the following regions of interest: ischemic core with BBB breakdown (Ic), surrounding ischemic tissue without BBB breakdown (Ir), and the contralateral non-ischemic region (N). Regions of interest were defined by MRI. The Ic increased over time at the cost of the Ir. BBB breakdown occurred early in the ischemic core and increased over time. Hypothermia reduced the BBB breakdown at all time points. A graded decreased presence of laminin-5 was observed with 16.5±3.7(N)>10±2.8(Ir)>4±1.4(Ic) immunopositive microvessels/mm2 at 3 h of reperfusion. MMP-9 showed a reverse pattern with 0 (N)<4±0.8(Ir)<10±1.5(Ic) immunopositive microvessels/mm2. Hypothermia decreased the MMP activity measured by zymography. Laminin-5 and MMP presence relate directly to the degree of postischemic injury. Hypothermia reduces the conversion from the Ir to ischemic core and the degree of BBB as well as MMP abundance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• G. diazotrophicus mCherry -tagged colonizing elephant grass. • The strain LP343 quickly attached itself to the roots. • The xylem vessels of PCEA were colonized by the strain LP343. Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a species of great agronomic potential due to its growth-promotion traits. Its colonization process in different plants has been reported. However, there have been no studies regarding its structural colonization in elephant grass. This is a fast-growing C4- Poaceae plant, and its application in Brazil is mainly aimed at feeding dairy cattle, due to its high nutritional value. Also, in the last decade, this grass has been applied in the production of biofuels. The present study aimed to monitor the colonization process of strain LP343 of G. diazotrophicus inoculated in elephant grass seedlings of PCEA genotype, by using a mCherry- tagged bacterium. Samples of roots and shoots collected at different periods were visualized by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The colony-counting assay was used to compare the number of cells recovered in different niches and a qPCR was performed for the quantification of endophytic cells in root and shoot tissues. Results suggested that the strain LP343 quickly recognized the PCEA roots as host, attached to the elephant grass roots at 6 h, and 7 days after inoculation were able to colonize the xylem vessels of roots and shoots of elephant grass. This study advances our knowledge about the colonization process of G. diazotrophicus species in elephant grass, contributing to future studies involving the plant-bacteria interaction cultivated under gnotobiotic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wolfram syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative disorder presenting with the main clinical symptoms of childhood-onset diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, diabetes insipidus and deafness (DIDMOAD). Later stages of the disease are dominated by neurological complications and death occurs early in life with a median life expectancy of 30years. Here we present a 44year old patient who presented to our hospital with central respiratory failure, cognitive impairment, ataxia and parkinsonism and was first diagnosed with Wolfram syndrome. DNA sequence analysis revealed a novel pathogenic mutation within the WFS1 gene. Advanced clinical and imaging studies performed in this patient highlight the neurodegenerative process in Wolfram syndrome and expand our knowledge on the mutational spectrum of the disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]