Area postrema syndrome: A short history of a pearl in demyelinating diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos R Camara-Lemarroy ◽  
Jodie M Burton

In this topical review, we discuss the history of the area postrema syndrome, with special attention given to early studies aimed at identifying the area postrema and its function, possible early cases of the syndrome and its current relevance in neuroimmunology and demyelinating diseases. In 1896, Retzius named a structure in the posterior medulla oblongata as the area postrema. The work of Borison in the middle of the 20th century led to the elucidation of its function as a “vomiting center.” The historical medical literature is filled with excellent examples that could be described as “area postrema syndrome.” While severe and bilateral optic neuritis and transverse myelitis still constitute the classic components of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), intractable vomiting and hiccups due to area postrema involvement is now recognized as essentially pathognomonic, indeed a shiny pearl in neuroimmunology and demyelinating diseases.

Biomedicines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Lana-Peixoto ◽  
Natália Talim

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) syndromes are immune-mediated inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system that frequently involve the optic nerves and the spinal cord. Because of their similar clinical manifestations and habitual relapsing course they are frequently confounded with multiple sclerosis (MS). Early and accurate diagnosis of these distinct conditions is relevant as they have different treatments. Some agents used for MS treatment may be deleterious to NMOSD. NMOSD is frequently associated with antibodies which target aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most abundant water channel in the CNS, located in the astrocytic processes at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). On the other hand, anti-MOG syndromes result from damage to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), expressed on surfaces of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths. Acute transverse myelitis with longitudinally extensive lesion on spinal MRI is the most frequent inaugural manifestation of NMOSD, usually followed by optic neuritis. Other core clinical characteristics include area postrema syndrome, brainstem, diencephalic and cerebral symptoms that may be associated with typical MRI abnormalities. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and bilateral or recurrent optic neuritis are the most frequent anti-MOG syndromes in children and adults, respectively. Attacks are usually treated with steroids, and relapses prevention with immunosuppressive drugs. Promising emerging therapies for NMOSD include monoclonal antibodies and tolerization.


2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Hansson ◽  
Heiner Fangerau ◽  
Annette Tuffs ◽  
Igor J. Polianski

Abstract Taking the examples of the pioneers Carl Ludwig Schleich, Carl Koller, and Heinrich Braun, this article provides a first exploratory account of the history of anesthesiology and the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. Besides the files collected at the Nobel Archive in Sweden, which are presented here for the first time, this article is based on medical literature of the early 20th century. Using Nobel Prize nominations and Nobel committee reports as points of departure, the authors discuss why no anesthesia pioneer has received this coveted trophy. These documents offer a new perspective to explore and to better understand aspects of the history of anesthesiology in the first half of the 20th century.


1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-314
Author(s):  
Alan M. Perlman

Summary In his studies of the structure of the English language, Samuel Green, a 19th-century grammarian and educator, made extensive use of paraphrase as a descriptive device. This paper argues that in doing so, Greene anticipated some of the methods and concepts of early transformational theory — and even some of the transformations themselves. It first presents a short history of the concept “transformation”, then discusses the transformations in four of Greene’s works. Greene’s use of transformations follows plausibly from his view of language, as is shown by excerpts from the prefaces to his books. Greene’s status as a transformationalist is then reconsidered with reference to the characteristics of transformations as inferred in the early part of this paper. Comparisons with other 19th- and early 20th-century grammarians demonstrate that Greene was unusual in his concern for underlying meaning and in his use of process in linguistic description.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 802-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
EA Yeh ◽  
B Weinstock-Guttman ◽  
N Lincoff ◽  
J Reynolds ◽  
A Weinstock ◽  
...  

Purpose To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in children with acquired demyelinating diseases. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of patients seen between 2006–2008 at the Pediatric MS Center of the Jacobs Neurological Institute. Consensus definitions for pediatric demyelinating disease were followed. All children received OCT testing and assessment of visual acuity (VA) using Snellen and low contrast letter acuity (LCLA) charts. Results Thirty-eight children diagnosed with acquired demyelinating disease, 15 healthy controls, and five children with other neurological disorders (OND) were included. Average RNFLT in healthy controls was 107 ± 12 μm( n = 30) versus 108 ± 5 μm ( n = 10) in OND controls. In children with multiple sclerosis, average RNFLT ± SD was 99 ± 14 μm in unaffected ( n = 24) versus 83 ± 12 μmin eyes affected by optic neuritis (“affected eyes”) ( n = 10). Average RNFLT in children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis was 102 ± 15 μm in unaffected ( n = 18) versus 67 ± 17 μm in affected eyes ( n = 6). In children with optic neuritis (ON), average RNFLT ± SD was 97 ± 13 μm in unaffected ( n = 5) versus 89 ± 12 μm in affected eyes ( n = 9). Differences between children with demyelinating disease and controls and between ON and nonON eyes were statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Bivariate correlations of RNFLT with LCLA ( P = 0.002) and VA ( P < 0.001) were significant. Conclusions OCT may be a valuable tool for the assessment and monitoring of anterior optic pathway dysfunction in children with demyelinating diseases.


Author(s):  
Chris Ritchie ◽  
James Harris

This article is the first stage of research for the book “No Laughing Matter: A Short History of German Comedy’ by Chris Ritchie and James Harris which will look at some key moments in German comedy, representations of Germans in English language comedy and ’and also take a look at the current Berlin comedy scene. It begins with an example of how the British, or particularly the English, represent the ‘comedy German’, and is followed by an overview of some key moments in the history of German comedy, in particular the work of Hans Sachs and the development of 20th century cabaret. The second section then looks at how the Germans view English comedy through an analysis of the sketch Dinner for One and Monty Python’s German-language episode. This article is the first stage of research for the book “No Laughing Matter: A Short History of German Comedy’ by Chris Ritchie and James Harris which will look at some key moments in German comedy, representations of Germans in English language comedy and ’and also take a look at the current Berlin comedy scene. It begins with an example of how the British, or particularly the English, represent the ‘comedy German’, and is followed by an overview of some key moments in the history of German comedy, in particular the work of Hans Sachs and the development of 20th century cabaret. The second section then looks at how the Germans view English comedy through an analysis of the sketch Dinner for One and Monty Python’s German-language episode.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Maciej Motak ◽  
Magdalena Woźniczka

The article starts with the short discussion of two geometrical figures, i.e., octagon and ellipse, their genesis in architecture and urban design, and the examples of buildings whose plans were based upon them. Then, the selected octagonal and elliptical city squares are discussed: their genesis, context, layout, architecture surrounding the square, objects appearing in the square and, most specially, urban form and composition. The theory of architectural-landscape interiors has been applied to pinpoint the type of city squares by the assessing of the degree of openings in the square’s perimeter. The review consists of 22 case studies (9 octagonal and 13 elliptical) from the 15th to the 20th century. The last discussed case in each group, both atypical created in Krakow in the 20th century, are discussed even more thoroughly. The conclusions were presented first separately for octagonal and elliptical city squares and finally also for both groups in a comparative way.


Author(s):  
Rosanne M Cordell

Instruction in the use of academic libraries has a long history but was not well established as a permanent and formal part of academic libraries in the United States until well into the 20th century. It has taken many forms, but none are likely to be maintained as formal programs unless measures are taken to move them beyond the status of the efforts of single individuals. The development of information literacy as an area of study coincided with the institutionalization of instruction programs and has given academic context and form to the curricula for instruction in the use of academic libraries.


2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-475
Author(s):  
WILLIAM C. CHITTICK

This much-needed historical survey of the Sufi tradition brings together a great deal of specialized literature, especially the European scholarship that is often ignored in North America. The first eight chapters of the book discuss the beginnings of the tradition, early figures, gradual institutionalization, poetical and metaphysical expressions, and the foundations of the great tariqahs. Chapter 9 provides an overview of the later history of the tariqahs on a regional basis, in most cases coming into the 20th century. Chapter 10 discusses major concepts and practices. Given Knysh's keen awareness that the Sufi tradition cannot be isolated from the Islamic tradition as a whole, surprisingly little attention is paid to the roots of Sufism in the Qur[ham]an and the hadith. Then again, the survey is necessarily selective and aims only to highlight major figures and movements. Any serious attempt to be comprehensive would have given us a multi-volume study. Every specialist will be disappointed at the failure to discuss or at least mention certain figures, movements, themes, or topics.


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