Management of pediatric pontine gliomas

We present 36 consecutive patients with intrinsic glioma of the pons. Tumors with exophytic expansion were excluded. There were 16 females and 20 males, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years, median 6 years. The most common presenting symptoms were cranial nerve dysfunction. unsteadiness of gait, and hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) showed a hypodense (17/21) or isodense (4/21) expansion of the pons. Five tumors had areas of contrast enhancement. Following information about prognosis and possible types of management, parents decided for or against radiation therapy: twentyfour children underwent irradiation and 12 did not. Median survival among children receiving a full course of irradiation was 280 days, compared to 140 days in an equivalent group of non-irradiated children. Hemiparesis presenting without cranial nerve symptoms and contrast enhancement on CT scan were poor prognostic factors, whereas sex, age, and duration of symptoms at diagnosis were unrelated to prognosis.     

Effects of neurosurgical titanium mesh on radiation dose

The purpose of this study was to determine the dosimetric impact of a neurosurgical titanium mesh in patients treated with 6- and 18-MV photon beams. The effects of a 0.4-mm-thick titanium mesh on the dose profile at 3 regions within a solid water phantom were measured using extended dose range-2 (EDR2) film for 6- and 18-MV photon beams. All measurements were performed with the titanium mesh placed at a depth of 1.5 cm in the phantom. Films were exposed immediately above the mesh, immediately below the mesh, and at a depth of 5 cm from the surface of the phantom. The films were scanned using a scanning densitometer. In the region directly above the titanium mesh, there was an increase in dose of 7.1% for 6-MV photons and 4.9% for 18-MV photons. Directly below the titanium mesh, there was an average decrease in dose of 1.5% for 6-MV photons and an increase of 1.0% for 18-MV photons. At 5-cm depth, for 6- and 18-MV photons, there was a decrease in dose of 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively. We concluded that for cranial irradiation with high-energy photons, the dosimetric impact of a 0.4-mm titanium mesh is small and does not require modification in treatment parameters.     

In vitro/in vivo correlation of prolonged release dosage forms containing diltiazem HCl

Six preparations were considered: three multiple unit dosage forms (micropellets in capsules) (D, E and G) and one matrix tablet (B) were experimental prolonged release formulations, two non-disintegrating tablets (A and C) were commercial products. The in vitro dissolution behaviour of the differing formulations was investigated using the USP XXII paddle apparatus. The in vivo study was effected on a panel of 12 healthy volunteers. The two commercial tablets (A and C) showed mean dissolution time (MDT) of 1.34 and 1.44 h and t_d of 91 and 92 min, respectively; for prolonged release formulations (B, E, D, and G) MDT ranged between 2.28 and 4.23 h and t_d between 149 and 291 min. The mean residence time (MRT) was 8.68 and 6.47 h for tablets A and C, respectively; it ranged between 9.62 and 10.24 h for the multiple unit formulations E, D, and G and was 11.27 h for matrix B. Formulation B also showed the higher apparent elimination half-life t_1/2 (7.12 h), while apparent t_1/2 for all the other formulations were very similar, ranging between 5.04 and 5.28 h. High variability between the various formulations was found for C_max and AUC values, and no relationships could be established with the type of formulation. An in vitro/in vivo correlation was found for all the formulations examined on the basis of analogous parameters (MDT and MRT); (r = 0.83, p <0.05). In a few cases the Wagner-Nelson deconvolution method was applied to individual plasma level versus time curves and the corresponding absorption curves were obtained. In these cases the in vitro/in vivo correlation was tested on the basis of the comparison of the in vivo absorption curves with the in vitro dissolution profiles. This was accomplished using the ‘Levy's plot’ (per cent released versus per cent absorbed) approach and provided further support for the correlation found.     

An analysis of paramagnetic centers in irradiated dentin using electron spin resonance

Summary The ESR spectra produced in irradiated dentin have been studied over a range of incident radiation energies from 50 kVp to 25 MVp. The behavior of the dentin ESR signal strength is similar to that of enamel as a function of the energy of the incident radiation. The magnitude of the dentin ESR signals are, however, up to 10 times smaller than the signals of dental enamel for a given radiation energy. The possible contributions of radiation interaction coefficients, chemical structure, and crystallite size to the differences in ESR spectra are discussed.     

饮水有机浓集物致突变活性影响因素的研究

本文探讨饮水有机物浓集流速及加氯量对致突变活性的影响。试验表明，饮水有机物浓集流速控制在每分钟２倍树脂柱床体积时，可获得最佳致突变效果。当加氯量≥２０ｍｇ／Ｌ时，对ＴＡ９８±Ｓ９和ＴＡ１００—Ｓ９菌株有致突变活性，≤２ｍｇ／Ｌ时对ＴＡ９８±Ｓ９和ＴＡ１００±Ｓ９菌株无致突变活性。为最大限度减少致突变效应，在净水过程中保证流行病学安全前提下，减少加氯量和加氯次数是十分必要的。     

Conventional MRA and contrast- enhanced MRA of extracranial vessel segments

Summary The introduction of fast gradient systems allows a reliable visualization of the extracranial carotid vessels by the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) which meanwhile is implemented into clinical routine. By the mainly applied time-of-flight (TOF) technique, vessels can be imaged without contrast agent (CA). Due to the application of ultra-fast gradient-echo-sequences, the first-pass evaluation of an intravenous bolus-injection of Gadolinium in the carotids from the aortic arch up to the skull base can be performed in less than 30 s. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are discussed. For a qualitatively optimal contrast enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) timing parameters like injection delay, flow rate and the adjustment of sequence parameters have to be considered in relation to the fast venous return from the sinus to the jugular veins. First, the optimal time point of the data acquisition have been determined at a model and with a computer simulation in reference to the presence of CA in the arteries. As a result, 90 % of the contrast contribution is defined by 16 % of the symmetrically acquired central k-space lines. A measuring protocol for clinical use was obtained by a gradual variation of spacial resolution, measuring time and CA-injection parameters and was proved in normal volunteers and patients. An exact determination of the bolus-arrival-time by means of a test-bolus injection was acquired. The best qualitative results were achieved by a double-dose injection at 2 ml/s injection rate. The temporal reserves of ultra-fast sequences should be invested in the improvement of the spatial resolution. To date, further investigations related to the problem of optimal CA-application may improve the potentials of CE-MRA procedures.      

肺结核线索调查中X线胸透的代价和效益试评

用热释光剂量计测试了受检者胸透体表照射量，结果表明受检者体表照射量符合对数正态分布，几何均值为０．１９ｍＣ·ｋｇ－１，高于一般体检胸透照射量水平。根据危险度系数，估算出由此造成的辐射诱发恶性肿瘤危险度，男女分别为３．５５×１０－６和４．０５×１０－６，后裔遗传疾患的危险度均为４．０×１０－８，由此估计该次实践造成的人均寿命缩短时间为０．５２ｈ·人－１。利用江苏省结核病的患病率、死亡率、化疗治愈率估算出由此次实践带来的人均寿命延长时间为４５．８ｈ·人－１。     

基因定量检测方法研究进展

基因定量检测已经成为研究基因组变异以及由于基因重组所引起的相关疾病的重要手段。大片段的基因组的重复和缺失可以引起致病突变。使用PCR和测序等定性检测方法很难探测到杂合状态的缺失和重复,因此探寻高效、可靠、灵敏的基因定量检测方法是当务之急。在过去的几年中已经相继出现了一些自动高效的技术方法。现在可用的基因定量方法大致可以分成3类:DNA印迹技术,细胞遗传学方法和以PCR扩增为基础的定量。本文对基因定量的最新进展作一综述,探讨其优缺点以期对定量研究方法的选择有所帮助。     

131Ⅰ治疗Graves病剂量探讨

目的　探讨1 31 Ⅰ治疗Graves病时 ,不同的剂量计算方法与治愈率以及治疗后并发症的关系。方法　在计算治疗Graves病所需1 31 Ⅰ时 ,分别采取不同的两种计算方法 ,观察两者治愈率及并发症的发生情况 ,并做多因素对比分析。结果　治疗组较对照组 1次治愈率提高约 12 % ,近期甲状腺功能减退延续为永久性甲状腺功能减退者亦明显减少 ,治疗效果明显优于后者。结论　1 31 Ⅰ治疗剂量计算时 ,既要有公式的规范性 ,又要有根据具体情况调节的灵活性 ,即可明显提高治疗效果