Malignant Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy: A Case Report

We present a case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor in the maxilla that followed an aggressively malignant course. In the first biopsy the tumor showed a classical histological picture, while in the last biopsy only malignant undifferentiated cells were evident. The tumor recurred twice after excision, and in spite of radiotherapy and various chemotherapeutic measures the patient died within 16 months of onset. Similar cases reported in the literature are discussed.     

Bioactive glass-ceramics in facial skeleton contouring

The removal of certain facial-bone defects is a prerequisite to restoration of function, stability, and appearance. Synthetic bone substitutes are beneficial in cases where other operative techniques would be an unacceptable burden for a patient. Satisfactory results can be achieved in one surgical intervention with low costs and low demand on technical equipment. Osteoconductive, biocompatible, non-resorbable glass-ceramic implants based on oxyfluoroapatite and wollastonite permit osteointegration—a direct physical and chemical bond between live bone tissue and the implant without formation of a fibrous capsule. They display better stress durability in simulated body fluid than hydroxyapatite implants do. This material was used for facial skeletal framework, contour restoration in 44 cases under conditions where other solutions were doubtful. Patients were observed for 24.8 months. Immediate healing occurred without any adverse reaction. The main problem was extrusion, observed in 20.45% cases over a 2–3 month period after the implantation. All cases, with one exception, were solved with a satisfactory final result by reoperation, implant size reduction, and increased soft tissue cover. This approach was found to be a suitable technique, especially for patients exhausted by prior incompetent treatment but still dissatisfied with their appearance. Successful reconstruction with a bone substitute may remarkably increase quality of life for affected persons and, at the same time, reduce surgery-related time and costs.     

Biological markers and possibilities for predicting therapeutic results in schizophrenia: a methodological contribution

The aim of the research was to select some easily available and easily replicable biological markers that could be used as predictors of both acute and long-term therapy. A selection of state markers (structural computer tomography [CT] parameters, psychological parameters, tests concentrating on attention and memory, "soft signs"), trait markers (quantified electroencephalograph [QEEG], cortisolemia, prolactinemia [PRL], and their changes) and clinical symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS], Clinical Global Impression [CGI]) were determined in 52 hospitalised schizophrenic patients showing either an acute episode or an exacerbation. The evaluation was repeated after one year of outpatient therapy. The parameters studied so far are not sufficiently specific and sensitive; therefore, the prediction cannot be based on a single parameter. In order to overcome this shortcoming, we carried out the analysis by means of multidimensional statistics, applying discriminant analysis. The results of both a broader and a more specific approach are stated in the paper. In all the used examples of discriminant analysis, the optimum discriminator is cortisolemia or its changes after administering dexamethasone and structural CT parameters. The results indicate that combinations of vulnerability markers and state markers (cortisolemia) may be of predictive value and are compatible with the vulnerability-stress ethiopathogenetic model of schizophrenia.     

Potentiometric and viscometric study of the conformational transitions of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymers

The dependence of the apparent dissociation constant and of intrinsic viscosity on the degree of dissociation of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymers was investigated. It was found that the conformational transition indicated in the potentiometric titration was distinct only with copolymers containing at least ca. 48 mole% of methacrylic acid. The transition is probably related with the local configurational and conformational structure while being uncorrelated with the transition of the coiled form of the macromolecule into the expanded one.     

Partial angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition during acute orthostatic stress in persons with tetraplegia

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with tetraplegia rely on the renin-angiotensin system for orthostatic blood pressure control. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of partial angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on heart rate (HR), active plasma renin (PR), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) during acute orthostasis in subjects with tetraplegia (n = 7) and nondisabled persons (n = 8). METHODS: Subjects were instructed to avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before testing and to report to the laboratory between 10 AM and 1 PM. Progressive head-up tilt (15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, and 45 degrees) was performed on 2 separate days; Day 1: without ACE inhibition; Day 2: after intravenous (IV) infusion of enalaprilat (0.625 mg). RESULTS: HR was reduced during orthostasis in the tetraplegia compared with the nondisabled group (P < 0.0001), and was unaffected by ACE inhibition in either group. PR was not increased with orthostasis in either group, but was increased after ACE inhibition in both groups (P < 0.001). MAP was not affected by orthostasis in either group, but was reduced with ACE inhibition in both groups (P < 0.01). In the tetraplegia group, MAP was initially reduced after ACE inhibition, but was maintained thereafter with increasing angles of tilt, and no subject complained of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension. CONCLUSION: Subjects with tetraplegia were tolerant of an acute bout of orthostatic stress after partial ACE inhibition. This may have clinical relevance because of the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in this population and the use of ACE inhibitors for the treatment of progressive renal and cardiovascular disease.     

Surgical treatment of the knee osteoarthritis

Surgical treatment of initial osteoarthritis consists of palliative arthroscopic operation, joint toilet, arthroscopic lavage, chondrectomy, meniscectomy, sinovyectomy, meniscus toilet, abrasion arthroplasty, microfracture, mosaicplasty, transplantation of autologic chondrocytes. To cure deviation of axis it is proposed corrective osteotomy in pre-osteoarthritis phase. Partial or total arthroplasty is recommended in treatment of advanced knee degenerative process.     

Cervids as Babesiae hosts, Slovenia

We describe cervids as potential reservoir hosts of Babesia EU1 and B. divergens. Both babesial parasites were found in roe deer. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA showed 99.7% identity of roe deer Babesia EU1 with the human EU1 strain. B. divergens detected in cervids was 99.6% identical to bovine B. divergens.