Cerebral microaneurysms found incidentally during aneurysm surgery

Abstract

Not uncommonly, cerebral microaneurysms are found incidentally during surgery for another previously diagnosed cerebral aneurysm(s). The frequency and angiographic characteristics of such incidental microaneurysms are retrospectively summarized. Seventeen patients were identified as harboring incidental microaneurysms, comprising 4.9% of the whole series. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was the most frequent location (seven cases, 41%) of these microaneurysms. There was a tendency for MCA microaneurysms to be contiguous to a previously known, larger aneurysm at the same location. Neurosurgeons as well as interventional neuroradiologists should be aware of the possible presence of these incidental microaneurysms while treating patients with a cerebral aneurysm(s). Although the actual clinical implications of these incidental microaneurysms have not been elucidated, the few additional risks to patients already surgically exposed for the treatment of another aneurysm, along with the possible benefit of preventing their rupture and growth, would justify the surgical treatment of these microaneurysms.     

祛风益气养阴治疗小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘

目的 观察祛风益气养阴治疗小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘的临床疗效,探究小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘的中医病因病机实质.方法 将90例患儿随机分为3组各30例.治疗组口服祛风止咳汤剂加养阴益气合剂;对照1组口服祛风止咳汤剂;对照2组口服西药美普清加养阴益气合剂.服药2个月后观察疗效.结果 3组疗效有显著性差异(P＜0.05),治疗组疗效明显优于对照1组(P＜0.05)、2组(P＜0.01).结论 祛风益气养阴治疗小儿咳嗽变异性哮喘具有良好的临床疗效.     

A predictive role of neoangiogenesis and comparison with other prognostic factors

Incidental prostatic carcinoma (ICP) has good prognosis related to low stage at diagnosis. Few rogressive cases demanding aggressive treatment need early identification. Neoangiogenesis proved its predictive role in prostatic carcinoma after radical prostatectomy. To reveal its value in ICP authors investigated specimens after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Retrospective study was performed on 68 ICP diagnosed in years 1985 1989. Microvessels highlighted by factor VIII were counted in a x200 microscope field (0,8012 mm 2 ) in most active areas of neovascularisation. Microvessel count was correlated with tumor differentiation degree, Gleason score, disease stage, and patients survival in at least 9 years after diagnosis. Higher maximal microvessel counts were associated with lower degree of tumor differentiation (p=0,005), Gleason score (p=0,001), and disease stage (0,003). No association with disease progression and patients survival was found. Mean microvessel counts showed less significant values when correlated with tumor differentiation degree (p=0,003) and Gleason score (p=0, 01), and no correlation with other variables. Microvessel density in TURP specimens of ICP retains its prognostic value already demonstrated in carcinoma of peripheral prostatic lobes. Maximal microvessel counts were prognostically more reliable than mean values.     

Linear equations with random variables

A system of linear equations is presented where the unknowns are unobserved values of random variables. A maximum likelihood estimator assuming a multivariate normal distribution and a non-parametric proportional allotment estimator are proposed for the unobserved values of the random variables and for their means. Both estimators can be computed by simple iterative procedures and are shown to perform similarly. The methods are illustrated with data from a national nutrition survey in Japan.     

Blockade of noradrenergic receptors in the basolateral amygdala impairs taste memory

In conditioned taste aversion (CTA), a subject learns to associate a novel taste (conditioned stimulus, CS) with visceral malaise (unconditioned stimulus, US). Considerable evidence indicates that the noradrenergic system in the amygdala plays an important role in memory consolidation for emotionally arousing experiences. The specific aim of the present set of experiments was to determine the involvement of noradrenergic activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) during the US presentation and consolidation of CTA as well as during the consolidation of a nonaversive/incidental gustatory memory. Selective bilateral microinfusions of the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol administered into the BLA immediately before intraperitoneal (i.p.) lithium chloride (LiCl) injections disrupted CTA memory. Additionally, propranolol infused into the BLA immediately after a pre-exposure to the saccharin (CS) significantly attenuated latent inhibition. The present findings indicating that alterations in noradrenergic function in the BLA affect taste memory formation, provide additional evidence that the BLA plays a critical role in modulating the consolidation of memory and that the influence is mediated by interactions with other brain regions that support memory for different kinds of experiences.     

Colorectal tubulovillous adenomas identified on fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans

Objective The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the significance of incidental focal colonic lesions on fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d ‐glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scans in patients undergoing staging for noncolorectal cancer. Method Of the 110 patients in our PET/CT database, 10 were found to have abnormally high uptake of tracer in their large bowel. Results Seven patients who underwent further endoscopic evaluation of these abnormalities had intermediate to high‐risk adenomatous polyps. Conclusion Benign colonic polyps produce high‐intensity focal FDG uptake in large bowel. Endoscopic evaluation is recommended before curative resectional surgery of the presenting cancer where appropriate.