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.     

Treatment of equino-excavato-varus deformity of the feet in adults using a hinge-distraction apparatus

The treatment of severe aggravated forms of equino-excavato-varus deformation of the feet of various etiology is rather difficult because the resections performed to eliminate the deformation require the removal of large quantities of the bone tissue and are traumatic, and when accompanied by neurotrophic disturbances they are usually contraindicated. At the Central Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics 65 patients with acutely pronounced feet deformations have been treated with Volkov-Organesian-Povarov distraction apparatuses. In 34 patients the deformation was accompanied by various neurotrophic disturbances. The results were good in 61 feet, satisfactory in 18 feet and bad in 4 feet. The experiment has demonstrated the efficacy of apparatus treatment, especially in the cases of aggravated forms of feet deformations, where this method often is the only one available.     

The interaction of the Ca2(+)-channel blocker verapamil with cardiac glycosides in the rat kidney]

Strophanthine (0.1 mg/kg, i. v.) and digoxin (0.1 mg/kg, i. v.) increase blood supply of the cortex and medullary layer of the kidneys of anesthetized rats and significantly raise excretion of water and sodium by the kidneys. Verapamil, a blocker of Ca(2+)-channels (0.25 mg/kg, i. v.) attenuates the increment of the blood flow in the internal zone of the cortex and external zone of the medullary layer but does not prevent the rise of diuresis and excretion of sodium with urine under the action of the above-indicated drugs. The conclusion is drawn that realization of the vasodilatory effect of cardiac glycosides in the kidneys is partially connected with a lowering of the content of Ca2+ in myofibrils whereas formation of their tubular effect does not depend on the changes in Ca2+ concentration in nephron cells.     

Effect of sodium citrate on the rate of cholesterol esterification and on the formation of primary products of lipid peroxidation in human blood. Are these processes related?

In vitro experiments show that sodium citrate in a final concentration of 130 mM induces a 4- to 5-fold increase in the activity of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. A parallel determination of the blood content of primary products of lipid peroxidation reveals a 20–30% decrease in diene and triene conjugates and lipid hydroperoxides. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 9, pp. 323–325, September, 1995 Presented by A. N. Klimov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Combined experimental infection of Microtus gregalis by tick-borne encephalitis and rabies viruses and probable interference

Narrow-skulled voles (Microtus gregalis) were inoculated with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and rabies (RV) viruses isolated in the steppe zone of West Siberia. TBE infection was asymptomatic and nonlethal in all voles. The virus was eliminated from the voles between days 14 and 60 postinoculation. Only 1 of 26 tested animals produced anti-TBE antibodies in titer 1:20. RV infection was acute and lethal. All sick animals contained RV in the brain, 42.1% in salivary glands, 5.3% in the lungs and kidneys. The voles which survived RV inoculation had no RV. The voles inoculated with RV after TBE were less sensitive and had a longer incubation period in comparison with the animals challenged with RV alone. The differences augmented from day 0 to day 14 after TBE inoculation and became statistically significant on day 14. Later, 21 day after challenge with TBE virus, the differences almost disappeared. The role of possible interference in the evolution of virus-host interaction of Lyssaviruses is discussed.     

The performance quality of a flight trainer operator under conditions of heat discomfort]

The studies were conducted on 5 sound operators, age 26-44. The flight simulator was placed into a heat chamber with temperature range from 25 degrees C to 60 degrees C. In these conditions the operators had to withstand pitching and rolling in "horizontal flight" within 6 min. The piloting performance on simulator was conducted by the operators every 10 min. per one hour. 48 tests were carried out. The studies have shown the phase character in roll error at the temperatures of 60 degrees C. The authors make a conclusion that the moderate hypothermia could optimize the operator's performance, and the deep one could worsen it.     

"Silent" myocardial ischemia and the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal system in hypertension patients

The aim of the study was to assess the sympathoadrenal activity at the time of silent ischemia event in hypertensive patients. In 15 hospitalized hypertensive patients having silent ischemia event during Holter ECG monitoring while walking, blood samples for catecholamines were taken at the time of silent ischemia event, pointed with alarm by the real time ECG "Q Med" monitor (USA). Control blood samples were taken under the same conditions without ST-segment depression. Plasma noradrenaline (NA) during silent ischemia was significantly higher than the control level without ischemia (458 +/- 71 ng/l vs 717 +/- 95 ng/l) (p less than 0.01). The changes in plasma NA correlated with left ventricular mass assessed by echocardiography (r = 0.70, p less than 0.01). The role of sympathoadrenal hyperactivity in the genesis of silent myocardial ischemia in patients with essential hypertension is discussed.