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Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Mechanisms of Epileptogenesis in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Related Malformations of Cortical Development with Abnormal Glioneuronal Proliferation

EPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2008
Michael Wong
Summary Malformations of cortical development (MCDs) are increasingly recognized as causes of medically intractable epilepsy. In order to develop more effective, rational therapies for refractory epilepsy related to MCDs, it is important to achieve a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of epileptogenesis, but this is complicated by the wide variety of different radiographic, histopathological, and molecular features of these disorders. A subset of MCDs share a number of characteristic cellular and molecular abnormalities due to early defects in neuronal and glial proliferation and differentiation and have a particularly high incidence of epilepsy, suggesting that this category of MCDs with abnormal glioneuronal proliferation may also share a common set of primary mechanisms of epileptogenesis. This review critically analyzes both clinical and basic science evidence for overlapping mechanisms of epileptogenesis in this group of disorders, focusing on tuberous sclerosis complex, focal cortical dysplasia with balloon cells, and gangliogliomas. Specifically, the role of lesional versus perilesional regions, circuit versus cellular/molecular defects, and nonneuronal factors, such as astrocytes, in contributing to epileptogenesis in these MCDs is examined. An improved understanding of these various factors involved in epileptogenesis has direct clinical implications for optimizing current treatments or developing novel therapeutic approaches for epilepsy in these disorders. [source]

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation is required for consolidation and reconsolidation of memory at an early stage of ontogenesis

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2009
Solène Languille
Abstract The ability to form long-term memories exists very early during ontogeny; however, the properties of early memory processes, brain structures involved and underlying cellular mechanisms are poorly defined. Here, we examine the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK signaling cascade, which is crucial for adult memory, in the consolidation and reconsolidation of an early memory using a conditioned taste aversion paradigm in 3-day-old rat pups. We show that intraperitoneal injection of SL327, the upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, impairs both consolidation and reconsolidation of early memory, leaving short-term memory after acquisition and after reactivation intact. The amnesic effect of SL327 diminishes with increasing delays after acquisition and reactivation. Biochemical analyses revealed ERK hyperphosphorylation in the amygdala but not the hippocampus following acquisition, suggesting functional activation of the amygdala as early as post-natal day 3, although there was no clear evidence for amygdalar ERK activation after reactivation. These results indicate that, despite an immature brain, the basic properties of memory and at least some of the molecular mechanisms and brain structures implicated in aversion memory share a number of similarities with the adult and emerge very early during ontogeny. [source]

Islamism and Western Political Religions

RELIGION COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2009
Hendrik Hansen
The political ideas of Islamism as they have been formulated by Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb share a number of striking similarities with Western political religions like Communism and National Socialism, in particular the radical dualist interpretation of history and the understanding of politics as a struggle against evil. However, the concept of political religions as it has been elaborated by Voegelin and further developed by Gentile implies the deification of a secular entity. Thus, if political religions are defined as being based on secularism, this concept seems to be inappropriate for the analysis of Islamism. This paper investigates whether this interpretation is correct and whether the concept of ,politicised religions' should be considered more useful for the analysis of Islamism. It gives an overview of the concepts of political and politicised religions and of the political ideas of Islamism based on the writings of Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb. The theses are that (1) both ,fundamentalism' and ,politicised religions' are misleading concepts for a comparison of their political theories with Western political religions; and (2) the concept of political religions is indeed applicable to Islamism, if we arrive at the understanding that not secularism but the radicalisation of the friend,foe-distinction and the understanding of politics as a purge of evil from the world ought to be considered its central themes. [source]

Solitary fibrous tumor in the mental region

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 11 2001
Masato Hirano
Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare, benign, soft tissue tumor that most commonly occurs in the pleura; however, it has recently been described in other sites of the body. To date, eight examples of oral SFT have been reported. This paper is a description of the first case of an SFT occurring as a soft tissue tumor in the mental region. Histologically, the tumor was composed predominantly of rather uniform spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells arranged in vague fascicles or in a haphazard fashion, intermingled with abundant collagen fibers. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD34 and vimentin, and weakly positive for muscle actin and , -smooth muscle actin. The diagnosis of SFT may be difficult as this tumor shares a number of histological features with other soft tissue tumors. Awareness of its occurrence in the oral cavity is important so that confusion with other spindle cell neoplasms can be avoided. [source]