The diagnosis of central nervous system tumours has been transformed in recent years from a microscopic morphology-based process to one dominated by the identification of somatic genetic alterations in tumour cells. This switch requires implementing radically different methods, for which appropriate training and financial resources must be allocated. The Canadian Association of Neuropathologists (CANP) has followed a process based on the scientific literature and consensus to develop recommendations for molecular testing of tumours of the brain and spinal cord, aiming to balance the need for treatment-determinant accurate diagnosis and the current limitations inherent in the transition to a new paradigm. The Professional Affairs Committee was charged with this task. A draft was discussed during the CANP general assembly, along with presentations from groups who had implemented molecular technologies, as well as others who relied on external laboratories. The Professional Affairs Committee summarised the consensus and submitted their recommendation to the CANP’s Executive Committee. A final report was posted on the CANP website for a month to allow all members to comment. The recommendations below apply to intrinsic tumours of the central nervous system and do not include metastatic disease or tumours impinging upon the nervous system from outside. These recommendations should be considered clinically relevant, as the results have direct consequences on the patient’s treatment, either through the use of targeted therapies or the trial-proven best application of radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Despite extensive paleoenvironmental research on the postglacial history of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, uncertainties remain regarding the region's deglaciation, vegetation development, and past hydroclimate. To elucidate this complex environmental history, we present new proxy datasets from Hidden and Kelly lakes, located in the eastern Kenai lowlands at the foot of the Kenai Mountains, including sedimentological properties (magnetic susceptibility, organic matter, grain size, and biogenic silica), pollen and macrofossils, diatom assemblages, and diatom oxygen isotopes. We use a simple hydrologic and isotope mass balance model to constrain interpretations of the diatom oxygen isotope data. Results reveal that glacier ice retreated from Hidden Lake's headwaters by ca. 13.1 cal ka BP, and that groundwater was an important component of Kelly Lake's hydrologic budget in the Early Holocene. As the forest developed and the climate became wetter in the Middle to Late Holocene, Kelly Lake reached or exceeded its modern level. In the last ca. 75 years, rising temperature caused rapid changes in biogenic silica content and diatom oxygen isotope values. Our findings demonstrate the utility of mass balance modeling to constrain interpretations of paleolimnologic oxygen isotope data, and that groundwater can exert a strong influence on lake water isotopes, potentially confounding interpretations of regional climate.

Chronic subdural hematomata (CSDH) are treated by evacuation. Recurrence occurs in 3-20% of cases, but the factors determining its occurrence have not been determined. Having observed that eosinophil cell infiltrates are often present in the outer membrane of CSDH, our aim was to determine whether such infiltrates are associated with risk of recurrence. Histological sections of the resections from 72 patients with primary CSDH (Mean age 73.4) and 16 with recurrent CSDH (Mean age 72.1) stained with H&E were graded by blinded observers for eosinophilic cell infiltrates using a semiquantitative 0 to 3 scale. The risk of recurrence requiring reoperation (RrR) in primary CSDH was 11.1%, and 12.5% in recurrent CSDH (meaning third surgery was required). A dense (grades 2 or 3) eosinophilic infiltrate was present in 22.2% of primary CSDH; the RrR was 0% in these cases, as compared with 14.8% in cases with sparse (grades 0-1) eosinophilic infiltrate. Among recurrent CSDH cases, 12.5% (2/15) showed a dense eosinophilic infiltrate; the RrR was also 0%, contrasting with 14.3% in those with sparse eosinophilic infiltrate. We conclude that eosinophils either play a role or are a marker of a process leading to stabilizing CSDH, making them less prone to rebleeding. Abstract not previously published

Postemergence applications of imazaquin {2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid} controlled higher levels of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L. # CYPRO) in common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and hybrid bermudagrass (′Tifgreen’ and ‘Tifdwarf′, C. dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) than monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid (MSMA). Control was better at 560 or 840 g ai/ha of imazaquin than at lower rates. Postemergence applications of imazaquin plus 2240 g ai/ha of MSMA controlled more purple nutsedge than equivalent rates of imazaquin alone. Preemergence applications of imazaquin were not effective. Bermudagrass discoloration was observed in some experiments on turfs mowed at a height of 1.3 cm or less but usually disappeared within 2 to 3 weeks, especially when MSMA was used in combination with imazaquin. No injury was observed on bermudagrasses, zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud. ‘Meyer′), St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Ktze. ‘Raleigh′], and centipedegrass [Erernochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.] maintained at mowing heights above 1.3 cm.

Because individuals develop dementia as a manifestation of neurodegenerative or neurovascular disorder, there is a need to develop reliable approaches to their identification. We are undertaking an observational study (Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative [ONDRI]) that includes genomics, neuroimaging, and assessments of cognition as well as language, speech, gait, retinal imaging, and eye tracking. Disorders studied include Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and vascular cognitive impairment. Data from ONDRI will be collected into the Brain-CODE database to facilitate correlative analysis. ONDRI will provide a repertoire of endophenotyped individuals that will be a unique, publicly available resource.

A relationship between epilepsy and damage to mesial temporal structures has long been recognized. Recent advances have clarified somewhat the issue of whether the pathological changes seen in mesial temporal sclerosis represent the cause or the effect of seizures. This paper reviews mesial temporal sclerosis from an historical perspective and summarizes recent developments in the fields of excitotoxicity, selective vulnerability, and synaptic reorganization as they pertain to the pathogenesis of mesial temporal sclerosis.

Iron aluminides show many interesting properties, but still show relatively poor ductility at room temperature and only moderate creep resistance at temperatures above about 600ºC. Processes of severe plastic deformation have been investigated for a wide range of ductile alloys over the past decade, but have hardly been considered for intermetallics. This presentation discusses two studies aimed at refining microstructure by the use of severe plastic deformation of iron aluminides. The first considers processing Fe3Al by heavy cold rolling, followed by annealing for recovery or recrystallization, with an objective of refining grain size to improve strength at the same time as ductility. The high strength and poor ductility of the work hardened material leads to a danger of cracking during rolling, which is a problem for manufacturing large quantities of healthy material. Suitable rolling and recovery treatments can, nevertheless, lead to strong materials with some plastic ductility. A different technique of multidirectional, high-strain and high-temperature forging applied to a boride-containing Fe3Al alloy produces a material with large grain size and refined dispersion of boride particles. These particles lead to a considerable increase in creep strength under conditions of moderate stresses at temperatures around 700ºC. This high-strain forging technique can be seen as an intermediate processing method between conventional wrought metallurgy and mechanical-alloying powder metallurgy. This technique offers the possibility to improve high temperature behaviour of such intermetallics containing second-phase dispersions, and can be scaled to produce large quantities of high-quality material.

Processes of severe plastic deformation have been investigated for a wide range of ductile alloys over the past decade, generally with an objective of refining the microstructural scale, for example the grain size, but have hardly been considered for intermetallics. This presentation discusses processing of a boride-containing Fe3Al alloy using a multidirectional, high-strain and high-temperature forging technique. Iron aluminides with relatively low Al contents can be regarded as Al-rich ferritic steels with outstanding oxidation-corrosion properties. However, as for many ferritic steels, they show poor creep resistance at temperatures above about 600ºC. The deformation processing leads to a material with large grain size and refined dispersion of thermally-stable boride particles. The particles produce a large increase in creep strength under conditions of moderate stresses and low strain rates at temperatures near 700ºC. This high-strain forging technique can be seen as an intermediate processing method between conventional wrought metallurgy and mechanical-alloying powder metallurgy, whereby an initially coarse and inhomogeneous dispersion of second phase is refined and made more homogeneous, and can be considered as a useful processing technique for a wide range of particle-containing materials.

Despite decades of intensive research iron aluminides remain characterised by relatively poor ductility at room temperature and low strength at high temperatures, especially under slow strain rate or creep conditions. A variety of strengthening particles has been tested for improving high temperature strength, but each has serious limitations: typical carbide precipitates are unable to resist dissolution or coarsening at high temperatures; as-solidified iron aluminides with sufficient amounts of transition elements such as Nb or Mo show heavy solidification segregation and are embrittled by a network of Laves phase; mechanical milling with stable oxides appears an excessively expensive processing route. A new iron-aluminium alloy has been developed with Zr and Cr additions that forms fine coherent precipitates even after extended annealing at temperatures as high as 900ºC. These precipitates have a complex Fe3Zr structure and form in a cube-on-cube orientation relationship in the bcc matrix. The low solubility and diffusivity of the solute, as well as the low energy, near-coherent interface ensures excellent stability of these intermetallic precipitates. Interesting strengthening is possible for this material under the relevant high temperature creep conditions.

Diseases of small cerebral blood vessels are heterogeneous in etiology and manifestations. Lipohyalinosis, venous collagenosis, amyloid angiopathy, and CADASIL affect different populations of blood vessels. Large and small hemorrhages, lacunae, cortical microinfarcts, and leukoaraiosis are the most important consequences of the small vessel angiopathies. Altered permeability as well as ischemia may be involved in the pathogenesis of the latter.