Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Pulmonary vasorelaxant activity of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in humans.

BACKGROUND--Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) exhibit in vitro pulmonary vasodilator activity, but little information is available regarding their effects in the human pulmonary vasculature. Their effects in the human pulmonary circulation and their ability to modulate the pulmonary pressor effects of angiotensin II have therefore been evaluated. METHODS--Eight healthy volunteers were studied on three separate occasions. Infusions of either ANP, BNP, or placebo were given for 60 minutes with a concomitant infusion of angiotensin II given for the final 30 minutes. Pulmonary haemodynamics were measured by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography at baseline (T0), before commencing angiotensin II (T30), and at the end of the infusion period (T60). RESULTS--Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) showed a fall with ANP and BNP infusion at T30 compared with placebo. Although angiotensin II infusion had significant pulmonary pressor effects on all three study days, MPAP at T60 was lower when ANP (18.3 (2.0) mm Hg) and BNP (16.1 (1.5) mm Hg) were given concomitantly compared with placebo (21.8 (1.6) mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS--These findings indicate that both ANP and BNP exhibit pulmonary vasorelaxant activity in humans in terms of antagonism of the pulmonary pressor effects of angiotensin II. This would support the hypothesis that ANP and BNP act as circulating counter-regulatory hormones in states of pathological pulmonary vasoconstriction.     

Medication compliance in elderly people: influencing variables and interventions

This paper describes a study in which 70 elderly patients were assessed for risk factors in their medication regimen They were separated into three study groups, including two levels of teaching intervention focused on the home medication administration system, and a control group The intervention utilizing a follow-up telephone call demonstrated a significant change in risk-related behaviours such as verbalization of the regimen, congruence between instructions and usage of medications, and taking of medicines not currently prescribed or over-the-counter     

Interaction between a live avian pneumovirus vaccine and two different Newcastle disease virus vaccines in broiler chickens with maternal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus.

Broiler chicks with maternal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) but none to avian metapneumovirus (APV) were divided into six groups. One group was kept as an unvaccinated control group. Three of the other groups were vaccinated at 1 day old with live APV vaccine or one of two live NDV vaccines (VG/GA or HB1). The remaining two groups received the APV vaccine in combination with either of the two NDV vaccines at 1 day old. At intervals after vaccination for up to 42 days, distribution of the viruses in the tissues was monitored, together with humoral antibody responses. Few NDV isolations were made from any NDV-vaccinated chicks, probably due to the presence of NDV maternal antibodies. In both dual-vaccinated groups, APV persisted longer (up to 21 days post vaccination (d.p.v.)) than in the single vaccinates (up to 14 d.p.v.). After 14 d.p.v., antibody titres against APV in both dual-vaccinated groups remained higher than the single APV vaccinates. For NDV haemagglutination inhibition antibodies, similar titres were found in the single and dual NDV VG/GA vaccinates. However, for chickens dually vaccinated with NDV HB1 and APV, the haemagglutination inhibition titres were significantly higher at 21 and 28 d.p.v. than the single HB1 vaccinates. These differences reflect the fact that NDV haemagglutination inhibition titres may depend on the NDV vaccine used.     

Is the outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment improved by spontaneous or surgical drainage of a hydrosalpinx?

A pilot study was designed to examine whether the outcome of embryo transfer in women with a hydrosalpinx might be improved by surgical drainage of the hydrosalpinx at the time of oocyte collection for in- vitro fertilization treatment. A comparative, controlled but retrospective analysis of the results was performed of all women with infective tubal damage aged <40 years old, who had ovulatory cycles, a normal uterus and a partner with normal spermatozoa. A standardized treatment regimen was used. A maximum of three embryos were transferred. Hydrosalpinx was defined by prior hysterosalpingography and/or laparoscopy with transcervical dye injection. A total of 237 embryo transfer cycles in women with hydrosalpinges (tubal distension not visible in 151, visible but not drained in 30 and drained in 56) were compared with 705 embryo transfer cycles in women with tubal disease but no hydrosalpinx. Results were analysed in the first three cycles but also separately in the first cycle to check for bias. Success rates were higher in the first cycle, but did not significantly influence overall differences. Implantation rates were significantly reduced overall in the hydrosalpinx group (8.0 versus 13.2% for controls; P < 0.001), being 8.3% (P < 0.01) in the subgroup without evident tubal distension and 7.5% (not significant) in the drained hydrosalpinx group. This study shows that tubal damage with distal occlusion is associated with a marked reduction in embryo implantation, even in the absence of obvious fluid distension. Surgical drainage of distended hydrosalpinges appears to offer no benefit.      

住院精神分裂症患者十年前后用药情况对比分析

目的对十年前后精神分裂症患者用药情况的变化进行调查分析.方法对十年前后两个五年段的各500份符合精神分裂症诊断标准的病历进行回顾性调查,并对各项指标进行对比分析.结果两组折算用药剂量经t检验差异无显著性(P>0.05);两组合并用药、合并抗胆碱药及疗效经χ2检验差异有显著性(P<0.01);十年后非典型抗精神病药物氯氮平在临床上的应用比例明显增大并上升为首位.结论十年前后两组抗精神病药的应用发生了明显变化,疗效好、副作用轻的非典型抗精神病药的应用比例明显增加.     

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after mitral valve replacement

Development of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of mitral valve surgery and requires urgent surgical intervention. We describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of membranous septum following repeat mitral valve replacement with the use of multimodality imaging.