Leptomeningeal myelomatosis mimicking a subdural haematoma

We report a rare appearance at presentation of meningeal myelomatosis without bone involvement, in the form of an extra-axial mass of mixed density, resembling a chronic subdural haematoma. Received: 24 September 1999/Accepted: 12 January 2000     

Medico-legal implications of hidden thyroid dysfunction: a study of two cases

In this paper we present two cases in which thyroid disorders were unexpectedly brought to view. The question we ponder is whether hidden thyroid dysfunction may be important in the cause, mechanism and manner of death, or just an incidental discovery during the post-mortem examination. A short literature review has been conducted in order to evaluate previously reported cases of thyroid pathology and sudden death. The significance of post-mortem evaluation of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) will be considered briefly.     

MRI study of transient cerebral ischemia in the gerbil: interest of T2 mapping

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic use of MRI and, more precisely, the use of quantitative T2 imaging at 7 T for the early detection of neuronal cerebral alterations after transient ischemia in the gerbil. METHODS: One hundred forty-seven Mongolian gerbils were separated into four groups for which a bicarotid artery occlusion lasted for 4, 6, 8, or 10 minutes, respectively. The animals were scanned before carotid artery occlusion and at 3, 6, 10, 24, and 48 hours and 5 days after the ischemic incident. MR images were acquired on a Bruker Avance DRX300 mini-imaging system. RESULTS: Our results show that T2 mapping is able to localize brain damage induced by transient ischemia and to detect early perturbations in water content (as early as 6 hours after ischemia). CONCLUSIONS: T2 measurements in the striata are correlated with the severity of the ischemic incident, since the changes observed on the T2 images are directly proportional to the duration of occlusion.     

Diagnosing CADASIL using MRI: evidence from families with known mutations of Notch 3 gene

Clinical data and MRI findings are presented on 18 subjects from two families with neuropathologically confirmed CADASIL. DNA analysis revealed mutations in exon 4 of Notch 3 gene in both families. All family members with mutations in Notch 3 gene had extensive abnormalities on MRI, principally lesions in the white matter of the frontal lobes and in the external capsules. Of several family members in whom a diagnosis of CADASIL was suspected on the basis of minor symptoms, one had MRI changes consistent with CADASIL; none of these cases carried a mutation in the Notch 3 gene. MRI and clinical features that may alert the radiologist to the diagnosis of CADASIL are reviewed. However, a wide differential diagnosis exists for the MRI appearances of CADASIL, including multiple sclerosis and small-vessel disease secondary to hypertension. The definitive diagnosis cannot be made on MRI alone and requires additional evidence, where available, from a positive family history and by screening DNA for mutations of Notch 3 gene. Received: 17 February 1999 Accepted: 23 July 1999     

虎杖中白藜芦醇苷提取分离工艺研究

目的：考察虎杖中白藜芦醇苷的最佳提取分离工艺。方法：采用正交设计实验优选提取分离条件，双波长薄层扫描测定含量。结果：醇提工艺的最优条件为：95％乙醇l5倍量，回流提取3次，2h／次；水提工艺的最优条件为：水10倍量，回流提取3次、2h／次，两工艺的关键步骤为乙醇浓度和回流时间、结论：该实验确定的最佳提取工艺稳定性好又简便易行。     

Trends in stomach carcinoma. A statistical analysis of 1204 cases

The authors report a retrospective analysis of their experience of gastric cancer. One thousand two hundred and four patients, observed between 1977 and 1994, of whom 1,094 underwent surgery, were studied. Data analysis was performed, dividing this period as follows: 1977-1982, 1983-1988, 1989-1994. The results reveal that, over time, substantial changes occurred both in tumor characteristics and surgical approach. With regards to tumor characteristics, the disease weighs heavily, even if it is less frequent than in the past (25% reduction), striking younger subjects and presenting in increasingly more aggressive forms [higher frequency of proximal (+11.4%) and diffuse forms (+18.1%), reduction of advanced forms (-11.6%) not proportional to the increase of early forms (+64.5%), as well as increase of cases with a short clinical history (+15.2%)]. In terms of surgical approach, while the use of conservative surgery was reduced during the study period, extensive procedures were more widely used, particularly in the curative treatment of advanced tumors (subtotal gastrectomies: reduction of 39.5%; total gastrectomies: increase of 106%). The increasing use of extended surgery is linked to the modifications occurred in tumor characteristics and in pre and post-operative management rather then to changes in surgical approach. It must be noted, however, that such technical advances have not yielded an improvement in survival (p = n.s.); as such, it is likely that gastric cancer has became a more aggressive disease and, therefore, has counterbalanced the benefits of early diagnosis and extended exeresis.     

藏药花锚中新化学成分的鉴定

目的 分离并鉴定高原植物椭圆叶花锚Halenia elliptica全草中的化学成分。方法 采用元素分析（EA），核磁共振波谱（NMR），质谱（MS），红外光谱（IR），紫外光谱（UV），差示扫描量热（DSC）等分析方法，测定其理化常数和波谱数据，鉴定其化学结构，结果 确证从椭圆叶花锚中所得到的两种针状结晶化合物，分别为1-羟基-3，7，8-三甲氧基Shan酮（1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone)和1，7-二羟基-3，8-二甲氧基Shan酮（1，7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone)。结论 上述两种Shan酮衍生物为首次从藏药花锚中分离得到。     

甘肃产香青挥发油成分分析

香青 Anaphalis sinica Hance是菊科香青属中的一种 ,主产于我国北部、中部、东部及南部 ,生长于低山或高山灌丛、草地、山坡和溪岸 ,朝鲜和日本也有分布[1] 。全草入药 ,具有平喘、镇咳、祛痰、消炎等作用 [2 ] ,但对其化学成分及挥发油成分的研究未见报道。本研究采用水蒸汽蒸馏法提取香青挥发油并通过气相色谱 /质谱联用技术对其成分进行分析鉴定。1　仪器与材料HP6890 / 5 973GC- MS仪 ,HP- 5 MS( 30 m×0 .2 5 mm× 0 .2 5μm) (美国 HP公司 ) ,香青于 2 0 0 0年 9月采自甘肃省兰州地区石佛沟 ,由张永红博士鉴定为香青属植物香青…     

A case of carcinoid with multiple sites in the jejunum and distal ileum

Multiple carcinoid tumors of the small bowel with more than 3 lesions are very unusual. The authors report a case with 4 lesions, 2 of those localized in the jejunum with more advanced infiltration of the wall and extension to regional mesenteric lymph nodes, revealed by ultrasonography. The relative low incidence and particularly the vague, nonspecific clinical presentation, the unusual site in the jejunum, and failure of the radiological examine of one year before lead to not suspect this condition prior to US examination. However, the feature of asymmetric, concentric thickening of the bowel wall requiring a more accurate exam by CT with oral contrast was able to confirm the suspect of the intestinal tumor. The patient, 80 year old, underwent radical surgery with a wide lymph nodes dissection as well as double resection of the jejunum and distal ileum. The post-surgical outcome was uneventful. A 12-month follow-up is free of the disease.