Modified head fixation system for intraoperative CT scanning--technical note.

A head fixation system using four carbon fiber head pins and modified pin supporting devices is described. The fixation system was developed for intraoperative computed tomographic scanning and provides artifact-free images during open-field neurosurgery.     

Interstitial hyperthermia of malignant brain tumors using implant heating system (IHS)

We have developed an implant heating system (IHS) for interstitial hyperthermia of brain tumors. IHS consists of three compartments: ferromagnetic implant with low Curie point, induction coil and generator to produce high frequency magnetic field. The device works as follows: It is heated up to a Curie temperature (Tc) by Eddy current under the magnetic field. Heat generated in the implant is conducted to the tumor tissue into which it has been implanted. To evaluate the effect of this hyperthermia, a brain tumor model was produced by innoculation of VX2 tumor cells and treated either by hyperthermia with IHS alone, chemotherapy with ACNU alone, or with a combination of both. The longest survival was obtained by the combined treatment, and significant prolongation of survival was found in the single treatment groups. In the Phase I clinical trial, one or several implants (1.8 mm X 15 mm, Tc = 68 degrees C) made of Fe-Pt alloy were placed in the tumor by CT guided stereotactic procedure, or manually during craniotomy. Hyperthermia of above 42 degrees C for 30 to 60 minutes twice a week was brought about in ten cases of malignant brain tumor. CT evaluation was made in nine cases treated for more than ten times in this way. Five out of the nine cases responded to this hyperthermia with irradiation. In conclusion, a safe, repeated and longterm treatment was possible without significant side effects. The hyperthermia with IHS may also be applicable to benign intracranial tumors and neoplasms in other part of body as well.     

Ultrastructural localization of adhalin in normal murine skeletal myofiber

The ultrastructural localization of adhalin and its relations to dystrophin, β-dystroglycan, and β-spectrin were studied in normal murine skeletal myofibers. The C-terminal peptides of adhalin and β-dystroglycan were synthesized based on their cDNAs, and the affinity-purified antibodies against these peptides were produced. Single-immunolabeling electron microscopy showed that the adhalin was located just inside the muscle plasma membrane or inside the myofiber a short distance from the plasma membrane. The adhalin signal was also noted at the sarcoplasmic side of plasmalemmd invaginations or at vesicular structures in subsarcolemmal areas. Double-immunogold-labeling electron microscopy disclosed a similar localization of dystrophin, β-dystroglycan, and β-spectrin. The close association of adhalin with dystrophin or β-dystroglycan was demonstrated by formation of doublets by signals of antibodies of adhalin with those of dystrophin or β-dystroglycan and was confirmed by statistical analyses. This study demonstrated that the location of adhalin is close to that of dystrophin and β-dystroglycan at the muscle plasma membrane.     

A case of supravalvular aortic stenosis with spontaneous remission of peripheral pulmonary stenosis

A 14-year-old junior high school boy was admitted to our institute. Previously he had been diagnosed as having peripheral pulmonary stenosis (Gay's classification, type IV) at the age of 2 years and 10 months. On this occasion, however, a diagnosis of supravalvular aortic stenosis was made, with a pressure gradient of about 120 mmHg, and all examinations showed spontaneous remission of peripheral pulmonary stenosis. He underwent a successful standard aortoplasty. This is the first reported case of spontaneous remission of peripheral pulmonary stenosis.     

Clinical study on cefixime granules in the field of pediatrics

The absorption and excretion and clinical effectiveness of cefixime (CFIX) granules, a new oral cephalosporin, were studied with pediatric patients with tonsillitis and urinary tract infection (UTI). Peak serum concentrations in 3 children given orally a single dose of 3 mg/kg on fasting were 0.545 micrograms/ml at 2 hours in 1 patient, and 1.56 and 1.26 micrograms/ml at 4 hours in the other 2. The half-lives in the 3 patients were 3.21-3.42 hours, with an average of 3.29 hours. The urinary concentration during the first 6 hours was 36.5 micrograms/ml in 1 patient showing the low serum level, and the first 6-hour urinary recovery rate was 7.3%. In the other 2 patients, urinary concentrations and recovery rates up to 6 hours were 87 and 62 micrograms/ml, and 17.0 and 15.1%, respectively. The second 6-hour urinary concentrations and recovery rates were 35.5 and 20.8 micrograms/ml, and 12.7 and 8.8%, respectively. The urinary recovery rates up to 12 hours were 29.7 and 23.9%, respectively. CFIX was given orally to 19 children with 20 diseases in daily doses of 6.4-12.9 mg/kg in 2 or 3 divided portions for 3 to 12 days. Clinical evaluations were made on 18 diseases. Clinical effects of CFIX were excellent in 4, good in 7 and poor in 1 of the 12 patients with tonsillitis, and excellent in 5 and good in 1 of the 6 patients with UTI. The overall clinical effectiveness rate was 94.4%. No side effects were observed in any of the 19 patients. Hematological tests, showed slight elevation of blood platelet counts in 2 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)