Peripheral nerve injuries as a rare complication of cervical lymph node excision for diagnostic purposes

During the last 3 years 263 patients were admitted who underwent diagnostic lymph node biopsy. Complications were observed only in 4 cases. In these cases, following cervical lymph node excision from the supraclavicular region, sectioning the spinal accessory nerve and branches of brachial plexus resulted in the "shoulder syndrome" which is characterized by a weakened, deformed, and often painful shoulder. Attention is called to the possibility of nerve injury during diagnostic excision of cervical lymph nodes. Most often the spinal accessory nerve and branches of brachial plexus are transected with subsequent deformity and decreased range of motion of the shoulder, which could influence deeply the quality of patient's life.     

Histopathological features of congenital fundus lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis

We report the light and electron microscopic findings for two lesions from two patients who died of complications of familial adenomatous polyposis. In the first case microscopy of a small (100 to 200 mu), uniformly dark lesion (the commonest type seen in this condition) showed enlarged retinal pigment epithelial cells with an increased number of pigment granules. This is consistent with the term "hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium", currently used to describe these lesions. In the second case we sectioned a larger (1000 to 1500 mu), oval, grey lesion from the posterior pole. The pigment epithelium was normal, but between it and outer retina was an unusual choristoma consisting largely of myelinated axons and astrocytes.     

Comparison of the effectiveness of a mobile prosthesis created by the implantation of Hydron and cartilage after enucleation of the bulb

The authors submit experience with the use of embedded mobile implants of the eyeball made from hydrogel of methylmetacrylate ("HYDRON" SPOFA) and from costal cartilage of different shapes. From the aspect of cosmetic effectiveness similar results were obtained with the implant "HYDRON" SPOFA and costal cartilge in the shape of a flat cylinder. Spherical implants "HYDRON" SPOFA were expelled in 16.8%, while flat cylindrical implants from costal cartilage were not expelled. Other shapes of implants from costal cartilage are less suitable. Both mentioned implants produce a satisfactory cosmetic effect and ensure a stable mobile base for cosmetic prostheses of the eye.     

Primary study of iontophoresis of zinc ion in treatment of retinitis pigmentosa

We report here the preliminary effects of zinc iontophoresis in treatment of 26 Rp patients who had decreased zinc serum level or abnormal ratio of serum copper to zinc. Through more than 20 to 30 times of therapy, the vision of 15.38% eyes increased more than "3 lines", 4% eyes increased more than 5 degrees in the visual field, 13.46% eyes improved in dark adaptation threshold (greater than 1.0), the visual functions of the rest eyes were slightly improved or unimproved. The fundus didn't change before & after treatment. There were no changes of ERG in 8 eyes of 4 cases. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages between Zn iontophoresis and Zn compound taken orally, the improvement of vision by direct electric current therapy, the relationship between the metabolism of Zn element and Vit A and influence of Zn over the mechanism of dark adaptation were also briefly discussed.     

Imidazopyrimidodiazepines--new heterocyclic system; synthesis and properties

The synthesis of the new tricyclic system ring 6-methyl-2,3,10,11-tetrahydroimidazo (1',2',3'-CD) pyrimido (5,4-b) (1,4) diazepinediones-5,8 is described. The 4-aryl- and 5-amino-imidazopyrimidodiazepines have also been obtained. The synthesis started from derivatives of 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-5-pyrimidine carboxylic acids. Some of the chemical and biological properties of new compounds are described.     

Effect of the mode of croscarmellose sodium incorporation on tablet dissolution and friability

A computer-optimized experimental design was used to study the effect of incorporating a "super disintegrant", croscarmellose sodium, intragranularly, extragranularly, or distributed equally between the two phases of a tablet in which a poorly soluble drug constituted at least 92.5% of the formulation. The results were analyzed by means of a general quadratic response surface model and suggest that tablets with the same total concentration of super disintegrant dissolve at a faster rate when the super disintegrant is included intragranularly. Tablet friability was not affected by the method of super disintegrant incorporation.     

Regional hyperthermia combined with high energy shock wave treatment on Dunning prostate tumors

Male Copenhagen rats implanted with Dunning R3327 prostate carcinoma were treated with regional hyperthermia and high energy shock waves (HESW). Twenty-four rats were divided into four equal groups. All rats in one group were matched with the corresponding rats in the other three groups according to tumor size. Hyperthermia was created by the resistive heating of a 22-gauge 1.5-cm needle; HESW were generated by the Dornier XL-1 experimental lithotripter. In two hyperthermia treatments administered 48 hours apart, the tumor was heated to 46.5 degrees C for 2 hours; HESW treatment involved 1,600 shocks at 18 kV. Twenty-nine days after initiation of this study, animals were sacrificed and tumor growth calculated. Tumor growth in group 1 (combined hyperthermia and HESW) was significantly delayed between the 7th and 29th day (p = 0.05). In group 2 (HESW alone), tumor growth was significantly delayed between the 7th and 22nd day (p = 0.01), while tumor growth in group 3 (hyperthermia alone) was delayed between the 3rd and 22nd day (p = 0.02). On day 22, mean percent change in tumor growth in the control group exceeded that of group 1 by 449% (p = 0.015) as well as that of groups 2 and 3, by 350% (p = 0.034) and by 268% (p = 0.049), respectively. As previous reports demonstrate the efficacy of hyperthermia in combination with irradiation or chemotherapy for the treatment of prostate carcinoma, our results indicate hyperthermia in combination with HESW may also be a useful treatment modality.