A SISCOM technique of ictal and interictal SPECT images provides higher predictive value of good surgical outcome and more reliability on the diagnosis of the epileptogenic focus than side-by-side comparison in medically intractable partial epilepsy.

We present a Bayesian inference scheme for scaled Brownian motion, and investigate its performance on synthetic data for parameter estimation and model selection in a combined inference with fractional Brownian motion. We include the possibility of measurement noise in both models. We find that for trajectories of a few hundred time points the procedure is able to resolve well the true model and parameters. Using the prior of the synthetic data generation process also for the inference, the approach is optimal based on decision theory. We include a comparison with inference using a prior different from the data generating one.

Intracranial meningiomas involving the major venous sinus (MVS) pose several complication risks upon performing radical resection. Some surgeons consider MVS invasion a contraindication for a complete resection of meningioma, and others suggest total resection followed by venous reconstruction. The aim of the study was to analyze our surgical results and discuss management strategy for intracranial meningiomas involving the MVS. Between 1993 and 2011, 107 patients with intracranial meningiomas involving MVS underwent surgery in our institution. Clinicoradiological features including pathological features and operative findings were retrospectively analyzed. Median follow-up duration was 60.2 months (range, 6.2–218.2 months). Distributions of tumor cases according to the involved sinus were as follows: 86% parasagittal, 10.3% tentorial, and 3.7% peritorcular. Simpson Grade I/II removal was achieved in 93 of 107 patients (87%). Partially or totally occluded MVS by their meningiomas (Sindou classification IV and V) was found in 39 patients (36%). Progression rate was 12% (13/107) and progression-free survival rates were 89%, 86%, and 80% at 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. Sindou classification (IV/V) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score 6 month after the surgery (KPS < 90) were predictive factors for progression in our study (P = 0.044 and P = 0.001, respectively). The resection degree did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.484). Interestingly, there was no progression in patients that underwent radiation therapy or gamma knife radiosurgery for residual tumor. There were no perioperative deaths. Complication rate was 21% with brain swelling being the most common complication. There was no predictive factor for occurrence of postoperative complication in this study. In conclusion, complete tumor resection with sinus reconstruction did not significantly prevent tumor recurrence in intracranial meningioma involving MVS. Considering the complications from this procedure as it has possibly related with reduced postoperative KPS score, the tumor should be removed as much as possible while leaving remnant portion with significant invasion of sinus or drainage vein. Following radiation therapy or gamma knife radiosurgery for a remnant or recurred meningioma might then be justified.

The authors report a case of clear cell ependymoma with a lipidized component that developed in the thoracic spinal cord. A 59-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with an itchy pain in the left forearm to the left anterior and lateral chest for the past three years. Neurological findings on admission included dissociated sensory disturbance below the C8 level and increased deep tendon reflex in both lower extremities. An MRI scan of the spinal cord revealed an intramedullary tumor with a longer diameter of 3.5 cm at the T3-T4 level and a distended syrinx at the T2-T3 level. Surgery was performed after T1-T5 laminectomy. The gray, soft and well demarcated tumor was removed subtotally. Light microscopy revealed a portion where clear cells proliferated and a portion where foamy cells proliferated. In some tissue, there were a very few nuclear areas suggestive of a perivascular pseudorosette. Neither nuclear division nor necrosis was observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, and negative for cytokeratin, synaptophysin. The MIB-1 staining index was 0.25%. Based on these findings, diagnosis of clear cell ependymoma with a lipidized component was made.

For the production of ghost bacteria vaccine to prevent the streptococcal disease in aquaculture fish species, a double cassettes vector was constructed and cloned in Escherichia coli DH5α. Ghost bacteria vaccine production from Escherichia coli DH5α/pHCE-InaN-GAPDH-Ghost 37 SDM (SIG) was maximized at a glucose concentration of 1 g/l, agitation of 300 rpm, and aeration of 1 vvm. The maximal efficiency of ghost bacteria formation was obtained at the mid-exponential phase (OD 600 =2.0) with the concentration of 0.77 g/l for SIG. The molecular mass of GAPDH was detected at 67 kDa with the insoluble fraction, by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The protective efficacy of ghost bacteria vaccine was evaluated by challenge test using olive flounder. The cumulative mortalities of the positive control, formalin-killed cell (FKC) vaccine, and SIG vaccine immunized groups were 91%, 74%, and 57%, respectively. These results suggest that SIG vaccine showed efficacy as a vaccine and had a higher potential to induce protective antibodies than did FKC vaccine.