Unresectable gliomas in children: tumor-volume response to radiation therapy

Serial tumor volume measurements were performed on computed tomographic (CT) scans or magnetic resonance (MR) images of 12 children treated with radiation therapy for high-grade (three children) or low-grade (nine children) astrocytomas of the optic nerve, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellar-pontine angle, and pons. Three types of initial tumor response were observed: Tumor volume increased in four children, remained unchanged in one, and decreased immediately after completion of radiation therapy in the others. High-grade tumors regressed maximally within 6 months and low-grade tumors within 10-25 months. All high-grade tumors recurred within 12 months. Three low-grade tumors recurred 3, 6 1/2, and 10 years after diagnosis, respectively. The tumor-volume halving time was 60-78 days for high-grade tumors and 108-330 days for low-grade tumors. The tumor doubling time was 48-60 days for high-grade tumors. The posttreatment increase in tumor volume has implications for radiation treatment planning. It did not indicate a poor prognosis.     

Adaptive behavior in the fra(X) syndrome: a longitudinal study in eight patients

In this study we investigated the development of adaptive behavior of 8 fragile X [fra(X)] males with special attention to social competence and compared the results with a control group of 8 fra(X) negative males matched for age, level of adaptive functioning, and period of institutionalization.     

Low total protein S antigen but high protein S activity due to decreased C4b-binding protein in neonates

Protein S, a vitamin K-dependent cofactor for activated protein C, exists in normal adult plasma in a free anticoagulantly active form and in an inactive form complexed to C4b-binding protein. Immunologic and functional levels of protein S and C4b-binding protein in plasma were determined for 20 newborn infants and compared with adult normal pooled plasma. Total protein S antigen levels averaged 23%, similar to other vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins. However, the protein S anticoagulant activity was 74% of that of adult normal plasma. This apparent discrepancy of activity to antigen was shown to be due to low or undetectable levels of C4b-binding protein, which results in the presence of most if not all of protein S in its free and active form. The relatively high level of anticoagulantly active protein S in infants may enhance the potential of the protein C pathway, thereby minimizing risks of venous thrombosis in this group.     

Immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of Molt-3 and Molt-4: human T- lymphoid cell lines with rearrangement of chromosome 7

Molt-3 and Molt-4 are T-cell lines originally derived in 1971 from a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. An unusual T-cell antigen receptor gamma-chain gene (T-gamma) rearrangement detected by Southern blot analysis of Molt-4 prompted an in-depth study of the immunophenotype and karyotype of both cell lines. Molt-3 and Molt-4 had immunophenotypic characteristics of thymocytes with expression of CD1 and CD5. Both cell lines had a hypertetraploid karyotype with two rearranged no. 7 chromosomes: 2der(7)t(7;7)(p15;q11). The presence of a break in chromosome band 7p15 suggested the involvement of T gamma. We cloned the rearranged BamHI fragments spanning the known T-gamma constant and joining regions. Comparison with germline clones of T gamma did not suggest any of the clones included a breakpoint region. Thus the 7p15 chromosomal abnormality in Molt-3 and Molt-4 is not associated with the currently described joining and constant regions of T gamma.     

Preoperative functional MR imaging localization of language and motor areas： effect on therapeutic decision making in patients with potentially resectable brain tumors

Purpose： To prospectively evaluate the effect of preoperative functional magnetic resonance （MR） imaging localization of language and motor areas on therapeutic decision making in patients with potentially resectable brain tumors. Materials and Methods： The Institutional Review Board approved this HIPAA-compliant study, and each patient gave written informed consent. Thirty-nine consecutive patients （19 male, 20 female; mean age, 42.2 years） referred for functional MR imaging for possible tumor resection were prospectively evaluated. A preoperative diagnosis of brain tumor was made in all patients.     

Radiological findings in newborn infants with urinary infection

Selective suprapubic urine aspiration was performed in 905 of 12 942 consecutive live-born infants and showed the presence of infection in 64 (0-5%). A majority (84%) of the infected infants were males. Radiological abnormalities were detected in 35 (55%). Because of this high incidence of abnormalities, which when diagnosed might alter management, it is suggested that radiological investigations be performed in newborn infants with proven urinary infection.