We used autofluorescence of mitochondrial flavoproteins to image cortical neural activity in the rat. Green autofluorescence in blue light was examined in slices obtained from rat cerebral cortex. About half of the basal autofluorescence was modulated by the presence or absence of O2 or glucose in the medium. Repetitive electrical stimulation at 20 Hz for 1 s produced a localized fluorescence increase in the slices. The amplitude of the increase was 27 +/- 2 % (mean +/- S.D., n = 35). Tetrodotoxin or diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of flavoproteins, blocked the autofluorescence responses. The autofluorescence responses were not observed in slices perfused with calcium-, glucose- or O2-free medium. In the primary somatosensory cortex of rats anaesthetized with urethane (1.5 g kg-1, I.P.), an activity-dependent increase in autofluorescence of 20 +/- 4 % (n = 6) was observed after electrical cortical stimulation at 100 Hz for 1 s, and an increase of 2.6 +/- 0.5 % (n = 33) after vibratory skin stimulation at 50 Hz for 1 s applied to the plantar hindpaw. These responses were large enough to allow visualization of the neural activity without having to average a number of trials. The distribution of the fluorescence responses after electrical or vibratory skin stimulation was comparable to that of the cortical field potentials in the same rats. The fluorescence responses were followed by an increase in arterial blood flow. The former were resistant to an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, while the latter was inhibited. Thus, activity-dependent changes in the autofluorescence of flavoproteins are useful for functional brain imaging in vivo.

) for a scientific commentary on this article.Magnetoencephalography and stereo-electroencephalography are often necessary in the course of the non-invasive and invasive presurgical evaluation of challenging patients with medically intractable focal epilepsies. In this study, we aim to examine the significance of magnetoencephalography dipole clusters and their relationship to stereo-electroencephalography findings, area of surgical resection, and seizure outcome. We also aim to define the positive and negative predictors based on magnetoencephalography dipole cluster characteristics pertaining to seizure-freedom. Included in this retrospective study were a consecutive series of 50 patients who underwent magnetoencephalography and stereo-electroencephalography at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center. Interictal magnetoencephalography localization was performed using a single equivalent current dipole model. Magnetoencephalography dipole clusters were classified based on tightness and orientation criteria. Magnetoencephalography dipole clusters, stereo-electroencephalography findings and area of resection were reconstructed and examined in the same space using the patient's own magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seizure outcomes at 1 year postoperative were dichotomized into seizurefree or not seizure-free. We found that patients in whom the magnetoencephalography clusters were completely resected had a much higher chance of seizure-freedom compared to the partial and no resection groups (P = 0.007). Furthermore, patients had a significantly higher chance of being seizure-free when stereo-electroencephalography completely sampled the area identified by magnetoencephalography as compared to those with incomplete or no sampling of magnetoencephalography results (P = 0.012). Partial concordance between magnetoencephalography and interictal or ictal stereo-electroencephalography was associated with a much lower chance of seizure freedom as compared to the concordant group (P = 0.0075). Patients with one single tight cluster on magnetoencephalography were more likely to become seizure-free compared to patients with a tight cluster plus scatter (P = 0.0049) or patients with loose clusters (P = 0.018). Patients whose magnetoencephalography clusters had a stable orientation perpendicular to the nearest major sulcus had a better chance of seizure-freedom as compared to other orientations (P = 0.042). Our data demonstrate that stereo-electroencephalography exploration and subsequent resection are more likely to succeed, when guided by positive magnetoencephalography findings. As a corollary, magnetoencephalography clusters should not be ignored when planning the stereo-electroencephalography strategy. Magnetoencephalography tight cluster and stable orientation are positive predictors for a good seizure outcome after resective surgery, whereas the presence of scattered sources diminishes the probability of favourable outcomes. The concordance pattern between magnetoencephalography and stereo-electroencephalography is a strong...

The present SRT procedure has favorable efficacy and invasiveness and has no adaptive limitations. SRT should therefore be considered before adulthood. The new HH classification is useful to understand clinical symptoms and to determine surgical strategies.

Helicobacter cinaedi has being recognized as an important human pathogen which causes bloodstream infections. Although the first case of bacteremia with this pathogen in Japan was reported in 2003, the true prevalence of H. cinaedi as a pathogen of bloodstream infections in this country is not yet known. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the incidence of bacteremia with H. cinaedi in Japan. We conducted a prospective, multicenter analysis in 13 hospitals during 6 months in Tokyo, Japan.