Constantin von Economo´s 90th death anniversary

ABSTRACT The year of 2021 marks 90 year since the death of the neuroscientist Constantin von Economo, whose research in various areas was extremely relevant for the field of neurology. He described lethargic epidemic encephalitis, published an atlas of the cytoarchitecture of the human cerebral cortex, and conducted multiple studies in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical neurology. Von Economo's genius extended into other nonmedical fields such as aeronautics, and he had renowned artistic skills.

The 5′ and 3′ Untranslated Regions of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV): Molecular Genetics and Higher Order Structures

The untranslated region (UTRs) of viral genome are important for viral replication and immune modulation. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the most significant cause of epidemic encephalitis worldwide. However, little is known regarding the characterization of the JEV UTRs. Here, systematic analyses of the UTRs of JEVs isolated from a variety of hosts worldwide spanning about 80 years were made. All the important cis-acting elements and structures were compared with other mosquito-borne Flaviviruses [West Nile virus (WNV), Yellow fever virus (YFV), Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV)] and annotated in detail in the UTRs of different JEV genotypes. Our findings identified the JEV-specific structure and the sequence motif with unique JEV feature. (i) The 3’ dbsHP was identified as a small hairpin located in the DB region in the 3′ UTR of JEV, with the structure highly conserved among the JEV genotypes. (ii) The spacer sequence UARs of JEV consist of four discrete spacer sequences, whereas the UARs of other mosquito-borne Flaviviruses are continuous sequences. In addition, repetitive elements have been discovered in the UTRs of mosquito-borne Flaviviruses. The lengths, locations, and numbers of the repetitive elements of JEV also differed from other Flaviviruses (WNV, YFV, ZIKV, DENV). A 300 nt-length region located at the beginning of the 3′ UTR exhibited significant genotypic specificity. This study lays the basis for future research on the relationships between the JEV specific structures and elements in the UTRs, and their important biological function.

Microbiota and transcriptome changes of Culex pipiens pallens larvae exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis

Culex pipiens pallens is an important vector of lymphatic filariasis and epidemic encephalitis. Mosquito control is the main strategy used for the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is an entomopathogenic bacterium widely used in mosquito control. In this study, we profiled the microbiota and transcriptional response of the larvae of Cx. pipiens pallens exposed to different concentrations of Bti. The results demonstrated that Bti induced a significant effect on both the microbiota and gene expression of Cx. pipiens pallens. Compared to the control group, the predominant bacteria changed from Actinobacteria to Firmicutes, and with increase in the concentration of Bti, the abundance of Actinobacteria was gradually reduced. Similar changes were also detected at the genus level, where Bacillus replaced Microbacterium, becoming the predominant genus in Bti-exposed groups. Furthermore, alpha diversity analysis indicated that Bti exposure changed the diversity of the microbota, possibly because the dysbiosis caused by the Bti infection inhibits some bacteria and provides opportunities to other opportunistic taxa. Pathway analysis revealed significant enhancement for processes associated with sphingolipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism between all Bti-exposed groups and control group. Additionally, genes associated with the Toll and Imd signaling pathway were found to be notably upregulated. Bti infection significantly changed the bacterial community of larvae of Cx. pipiens pallens.

About lesions of the peripheral nervous system after influenza in the winter of 1931-1932. in Kazan

Since 1916-1917, the period of the last pandemic of epidemic encephalitis, infectious diseases of the nervous system have become common and fairly frequent in medical practice. Covering in some places large groups of the population and taking away a large number of working hours from socialist construction, these diseases should be the object of serious study by practically working doctors for their rational therapy and prevention.

Stockert (Psychiatrisch-neurologische Wocb., № 51, 1931)

(Psychiatrisch-neurologische Wocb., No. 51, 1931) reports three cases of epidemic encephalitis with Korsakov's syndrome.

Lange and Schneider (Wilhelm Lange und Kurt Schneider, Ergebnisse der Röntgenbestrahlung bei chronischer Encephalitis epidemica. Psych.-Neurolog. Wschrift No. 1. 1932)

(Wilhelm Lange und Kurt Schneider, Ergebnisse der Rntgenbestrahlung bei chronischer Encephalitis epidemica. Psych.-Neurolog. Wschrift No. 1. 1932) report the treatment of ep. encephalitis by X-rays. This treatment was recommended by Economo, used by Nuvol and (Nuvoli) for acute epidemic encephalitis.

Catropin therapy of initial states of epidemic encephalitis

Chronic encephalitis, until recently, had no therapy that would give significant and lasting success. The current subject of discussion is the therapy with large doses of atropine, first tried in the Remerovsky sanatorium in Hirsau. Those conducting it speak of an improvement that can be considered practical healing (Roemer).

Etiology of epidemic encephalitis. Rosenthal (Vrach. Ob., 1922)

Experimental data of Levaditi, Hariver, Nicolau, Doer, Vchting, Lowenstein et al. testify according to Rosenthal that 1) virus of this disease belongs to the category of filtering; 2) by inoculation of the cerebral substance of the affected human brain (worse - cerebrospinal fluid) under the dura mater of the animal - best of all rabbit - it is possible, though not always, to cause the corresponding disease; 3) in many of its properties encephalitic virus is close to rabies virus and polymyelitis virus.

Epidemic encephalitis in children. Hofstadt (Zeit. f. Kinderh., Bd. 29)

According to Hofstadt, two phases can be distinguished in this disease: acute, and late. The first can proceed in one of 5 forms: purely encephalitic, Landry paralysis (always fatal), meningitic, myelitic and, finally, abortive.

Protein therapy for nervous diseases

Nading (Bp. Gaz., 1923, nos. 19-20), having applied milk treatment for various sufferings of the nervous system, both central and peripheral, found that in epilepsy and epidemic encephalitis it did not give any results.