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The exact molecular mechanisms as well as the genes involved in the mineral weathering (MW) process by bacteria remain poorly characterized. To date, a single type of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) depending on a particular co-factor named pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is known. These enzymes allow the production of gluconic acid through the oxidation of glucose. However, it remains to be determined how bacteria missing PQQ-dependent GDH and/or the related pqq biogenesis genes weather minerals. In this study, we considered the very effective mineral weathering bacterial strain PMB3(1) of Collimonas pratensis. Genome analysis revealed that it does not possess the PQQ-based system. The use of random mutagenesis, gene complementation and functional assays allowed us to identify mutants impacted in their ability to weather mineral. Among them, three mutants were strongly altered on their acidification and biotite weathering abilities (58% to 75% of reduction compared to WT) and did not produce gluconic acid. The characterization of the genomic regions allowed noticeably to the identification of a Glucose/Methanol/Choline oxidoreductase. This region appeared very conserved among collimonads and related genera. This study represents the first demonstration of the implication of a PQQ-independent GDH in the mineral weathering process and explains how Collimonas weather minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article profiles Luc Picard, professor of neuroradiology of the Faculty of Medicine in Nancy, France. The author mentions that Picard initially planned to focus on neurology, but later decided to pursue neuroradiology and obtained specialty diplomas in neuropsychiatry and radiology. Following his appointment as chair of professor of neuroradiology in 1984, he decided to develop interventional neuroradiology. In 2002, he received the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur and was chosen vice-president of the World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies.

The article presents a speech by Luc Picard, professor of Neuroradiology of the Faculty of Medicine in Nancy, France, delivered at the Honoris CAUSA Award Ceremony, held in Bologna, April 21, 2010, in which he discussed the challenges in neuroradiology in the 21st century.

The immediate and long-term outcomes, complications, recurrences and the need for retreatment were analyzed in a series of 280 consecutive patients with anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with the endovascular technique. From October 1992 to October 2001 280 patients with 282 anterior communicating artery aneurysms were addressed to our center. For the analysis, the population was divided into two major groups: group 1, comprising 239 (85%) patients with ruptured aneurysms and group 2 comprising of 42 (15%) patients with unruptured aneurysms. In group 1, 185 (77.4%) patients had a good initial pre-treatment Hunt and Hess grade of I-III. Aneurysm size was divided into three categories according to the larger diameter: less than 4 mm, between 4 and 10 mm and larger than 10 mm. The sizes of aneurysms in groups 1 and 2 were identical but a less favorable neck to depth ratio of 0.5 was more frequent in group 2. Endovascular treatment was finally performed in 234 patients in group 1 and 34 patients in group 2. Complete obliteration was more frequently obtained in group 2 unlike a residual neck or opacification of the sac that were more frequently seen in group 1. No peri-treatment complications were recorded in group 2. In group 1 the peri-treatment mortality and overall peri-treatment morbidity were 5.1% and 8.1% respectively. Eight patients (3.4%) in group 1 presented early post treatment rebleeding with a mortality of 88%. The mean time to follow-up was 3.09 years. In group 1, 51 (21.7%) recurrences occurred of which 14 were minor and 37 major. In group 2, eight (23.5%) recurrences occurred, five minor and three major. Two patients (0.8%) presented late rebleeding in group 1. Twenty-seven second endovascular retreatments were performed, 24 (10.2%) in group 1 and three (8.8%) in group 2, seven third endovascular retreatments and two surgical clippings in group 1 only. There was no additional morbidity related to retreatments. Endovascular treatment is an effective method for the treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms allowing late rebleeding prevention. Peri-treatment rebleeding warrants caution in anticoagulation management. This is a single center experience and the follow-up period is limited. Patients should be followed-up in the long-term as recurrences may occur and warrant additional treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In psychosocial oncology social support is a recognized factor in facilitating adaptation to cancer. Spouses are often the first source of support for each other. However, the adaptation process of couples dealing with cancer has been little explored. This article presents the results of a qualitative study carried out with 16 couples, in each of which the woman had breast cancer. The goal of this study was to better understand the manner in which the couple as a dyad deals with the disruptions and demands related to the disease and its treatments. This report highlights the principal issues that confront couples in the first year after diagnosis and the adjustment strategies they use to deal with these issues. A theoretical understanding of the adjustment process of couples dealing with breast cancer emerges as a result of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two pilot studies on a small number of patients demonstrated the feasibility of transcranial Doppler ultrasound evaluation in the follow-up of intracranial aneurysms treated with detachable coils. This prospective study aimed to assess the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced transcranial echo-Doppler in detecting partial aneurysmal occlusion following endovascular treatment. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) with contrast administration and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or angiography were carried out after endovascular treatment in 92 patients for 98 aneurysms of the anterior circulation. In 18% of cases, the quality of ultrasound exploration was deemed unsatisfactory for evaluation of the aneurysmal site. Results were concordant in 63% of patients (49/78). When occlusion appeared satisfactory at angiography or MRA, the result was concordant with TCD in 68% of cases (44/77). When a residual aneurysm was detected, TCD sensitivity was 38% (8/18). An analysis of subgroups failed to disclose anatomic or morphological aneurysm features in which transcranial echo-Doppler is sufficiently sensitive and specific to detect possible residual aneurysm or recanalisation. In our experience, even after contrast administration TCD is not sufficiently sensitive or specific in the detection of residual aneurysm to replace angiography or MRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We present our experience and discuss the value of cerebral intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) in the diagnosis of brain death. A total of 140 patients presenting with clinical signs of brain death were studied by IV DSA. According to the angiographic appearance of the vertebrobasilar system, the patients were divided into four groups. Cessation of blood flow within the internal carotid arteries and their branches was consistently found. Attention is focused on 9 patients with persistent blood flow within the posterior fossa. In sedated patients in whom EEG and evoked brain-stem responses are non-diagnostic, or in order to shorten the observation time, transcranial Doppler should be performed to determine the appropriate moment for IV DSA, which is a reliable method of confirming brain death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We treated 38 patients with 39 aneurysms of the posterior circulation by an endovascular technique using balloons, free coils or Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) from 1986 to May 1993. The patients ranged in age from 10 to 71 years. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was the most frequent presentation (29 patients), followed by mass effect (5 patients) and epilepsy (2 patients). Treatment consisted of embolisation of the aneurysm with preservation of the parent vessel (in 29) or occlusion of the parent vessel (in 5). Multiple procedures were performed in 12 patients (32 %, maximum 3 embolisations, total 17 treatments), because of incomplete initial aneurysm occlusion (in 8 cases) or re-opening of the aneurysm (in 9). Treatment could not be achieved in 5 patients. Good to excellent aneurysm occlusion was obtained in 28 patients (72 %). Little or no neurological impairment occurred in 31 patients (82 %). Complications related to treatment (11 patients, 29 %) included 4 cases of transient cerebral ischaemia, 7 of stroke resulting in minimal neurological impairment (in 5), severe impairment (in 1) and one death. There were 6 patients who died, of rebleeding from the same aneurysm (2), basilar stroke (1) and unrelated causes (3). Comparison of the different occlusion techniques showed that the best angiographic results were obtained with balloons (good to excellent aneurysm occlusion was obtained in 17 of 22 patients treated) and the GDC (12 of 13 patients), and that less good results were given by free coils (4 of 9 patients). Complications related to treatment were fewest in patients treated with GDC (1 of 16 treatments, including multiple procedures) or free coils (2 of 12 treatments) and were more frequent with balloons (6 of 27 treatments). All five treatment failures occurred with balloon embolisation, whereas treatment was possible in all cases treated with free coils or GDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

While therapeutic endovascular occlusions date from as early as 1904, it is in the last 20 years that therapeutic neuroradiology has come into its own. Progress has been made in four directions. (1) Embolization has developed from the original technique involving arteriotomy, through percutaneous methods, to presentday superselective catheterization. Concurrently, the materials used have been improved: from nonmalleable muscle and Silastic balls, to malleable Spongel and dura mater, and most recently to polymerizable fluid plastic substances. The possibility of obstructing very narrow vessels extends the range of indications of embolization. (2) Balloon catheters have been developed, first with nondetachable balloons (1971), more recently with detachable ones (1974). (3) Other techniques may be used to produce a therapeutic thrombosis, e.g., endovascular electrocoagulation and thermocoagulation. (4) Foreign bodies may be extracted safely by catheterization. Further development of techniques should ensure a growing importance for therapeutic neuroradiology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report 169 therapeutic embolizations in cases of tumoral lesions in the craniocerebral, ENT, and vertebrospinal territories. Most endovascular occlusions performed for tumoral processes are presurgical indications, with the aim of reducing hemorrhage at operation. Embolization becomes practically mandatory for nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, considerably reducing the peroperative bleeding. Indications of embolization for meningiomas must be discussed according to the size and location of the tumors: embolization is especially useful in large tumors or those inserted on the base of the skull, mainly in the middle fossa. In chemodectomas, embolization can be used presurgically or on its own when surgery becomes impossible; angiographic follow-up shows that secondary repermeabilization is frequent in spite of clinical improvement. In malignant tumors of the craniofacial region, indications of embolization must be considered with care because failure of vascularization tends to make radiotherapy less efficient; in these cases, embolization can be useful in reducing pain or to contend with cataclysmal hemorrhages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neuroradiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The authors present a case of cervical aortic arch which was discovered in a child of 5 years. The association with a diffuse and major vascular dysplasia, mainly neuroectodermic, is worth reporting. Only 40 cases of this abnormality have been published up to now. The anatomic classification of the different types of cervical aortic arch is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The risk of rebleeding from an unoperated-upon aneurysm is high. That is why cerebral angiography is repeated if the first study is negative. In order to evaluate the importance of the second angiography we studied retrospectively 100 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, admitted in our institution between November 1991 and November 1992. The initial cerebral angiography is done as soon as possible, usually within 3 days following the bleeding. These studies showed at least one aneurysm in 80 of 100 patients. In 20 patients the initial investigation was negative and angiography was repeated between the third and sixth week after the initial result. Two new aneurysms were demonstrated. This 2% of false-negative results justifies repeated angiographies in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and negative initial angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neuroradiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents a letter to the editor about the case of a 64-year-old man who died because of intracranial hypotension.

We review 258 cases of craniofacial vascular lesion treated by endovascular occlusion in the past 7 years in the Neuroradiology Departments of Nancy, Nantes, and Toulouse. Dural fistulas very often need both embolization and surgery. Craniofacial angiomas are not straightforward indications for therapy: the age of the patient, the unpredictability of evolution, and possible sequelae have to be taken into account; embolization is very successful in counteracting hemorrhage. Angiomatoses such as Rendu-Osler disease can respond well to repeated embolizations over several years. Lesions such as hemolymphangiomas are also excellent indications for embolization, either alone or with surgery. Occlusion by detachable balloon is ideally the most elegant method, but it is not always technically feasible, nor free from complications. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A2404071 00044 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]