OBJECTIVES: To compare medial and lateral temporal lobe atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to examine the relationship between volumetric indices and cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms. METHODS: T(1)-weighted 1.0-tesla MRI scans were acquired in elderly subjects with DLB (n = 26; mean age = 75.8 years) and AD (n = 22; 77.3 years) and normal controls (n = 26; 76.2 years). MRI-based volume measurements of the hippocampus, parahippocampus, fusiform gyrus, combined inferior and middle temporal gyri, and superior temporal gyrus were acquired. RESULTS: Hippocampal and parahippocampal volumes were significantly larger in subjects with DLB compared to AD. Differences in hippocampal volumes between DLB and AD were observed across the entire length, and in all subjects with dementia there was a loss of hippocampal asymmetry compared to normal controls. Atrophy of temporal lobe structures correlated with memory impairment in both groups, and with age in DLB. There was no association between atrophy and psychotic symptoms in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with DLB and AD have a different pattern of temporal lobe atrophy with the most striking differences relating to medial rather than lateral temporal lobe structures. These structural differences could explain the relative preservation of memory function in DLB compared to AD.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Oral shark cartilage does not abolish carcinogenesis but delays tumor progression in a murine model.

BACKGROUND: Shark cartilage and shark cartilage extracts have been reported to have anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic properties. This study reports the effects of oral administration of powdered shark cartilage on tumor progression in a murine renal tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal tumors were induced in CBA female mice by a single bolus of IV streptozotocin. 57 mice were fed shark cartilage and the numbers and rate of development of dysplastic convoluted tubules, papillary and solid renal epithelial tumors was compared with 57 control mice over an 88 week follow-up period. RESULTS: In the shark cartilage fed group dysplasia was first observed after 23 weeks (control 19 weeks), papillary tumors after 24 weeks (control 23 weeks) and solid tumors after 55 weeks (control 19 weeks). There was no significant difference in the rate of development of dysplastic tubules between test and control animals. The development of papillary and solid tumors was significantly delayed in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: In this tumor model oral shark cartilage delays, but does not abolish, tumor progression.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clearance of inhaled 99mTc DTPA from regions of the lung recently affected by pulmonary embolus.

Pulmonary emboli lead to regional limitation of pulmonary artery perfusion, often without affecting distribution of ventilation. We have studied the effect of this regional reduction of pulmonary artery perfusion on the integrity of epithelium of alveoli (and possibly bronchioli). Integrity of alveolar epithelium was assessed by measuring regional rates of clearance from lung to blood of an inhaled aerosol of a small molecular weight solute, 99mTc DTPA (technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate). Ten patients with pulmonary emboli were studied, where the diagnosis was made from 'mismatching' seen on ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) lung scintigraphy. Rates of clearance of DTPA in regions with normal V/Q ratios were compared with embolized regions with high V/Q ratios. Clearance rates were increased in embolized regions (V/Q ratio greater than 1): 2.59 +/- (SD) 0.89% X min-1, compared with normal regions (V/Q ratio less than 1): mean 1.39 +/- 0.60% X min-1 (p less than 0.01). In repeat studies in nine patients (one died), after intervals between 2 and 12 weeks, the V/Q ratio of previously embolized regions decreased towards unity in all nine patients, suggesting resolution. The differences in clearance rates for DTPA between normal and embolized regions decreased in association with this return towards normal of V/Q ratios. We surmise that reduction in pulmonary artery perfusion which occurs in pulmonary embolic disease alters the integrity of the alveolar (and possibly bronchiolar) epithelium. This effect is largely reversible, recovering with return of pulmonary artery perfusion.

Aerosols↗