A study of the spinal fluid flow by magnetic resonance imaging

The study was undertaken to examine the potentialities of new MRI techniques (MR-myelocysternoventriculography and phasic contrast-enhanced MRI with reference to a cardiac cycle) in visualizing the spinal fluid system and flow in different groups of neurosurgical patients. MR-myelocysternoventriculography was based on the sequences of SSFP-3D (Signa, GE, 1.5 T) and PSIF-3D (Magnetom 42SP, Siemens, 1.0 T). These regimens were applied to obtain highly T2*-weighed images. These techniques were used in 280 patients. Phasic contrast-enhanced MRI with reference to a cardiac cycle was performed in the axial (through the aqueduct of the cerebrum) and sagittal projects (CINE-2D mode, Signa GE). This technique was employed to study 30 patients and 5 healthy volunteers. MRI-cysternography based on SSFP-3D- and PSIF-3D sequences is recommended as the method of choice in evaluating the 3rd ventriculostoma and, in combination with spiral computed tomography, in detecting fistulas of the base of the skull. Phasic contrast-enhanced MRI with reference to a cardiac cycle yielded the values of spinal fluid flow through the aqueduct of the cerebrum in health: Vsyst max = 4.1 +/- 1.3 cm/sec; Vsyst mean = 2.5 +/- 1.4 cm/sec; Vdiast max = 3.4 +/- 1.5 cm/sec; Vdist mean = 2.5 +/- 1.7 cm/sec (N = 5). The prospect of the technique is to develop recommendations and to predict prognosis while making bypass surgery for ventriculostomas and cystostomas.     

Relationships between uterus and eggs in cestodes from different taxa, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

Uterine organization and interaction with developing eggs in Tetrabothrius erostris (Tetrabothriidea), Nippotaenia mogurndae (Nippotaeniidea), Arostrilepis tenuicirrosa, and Monocercus arionis (Cyclophyllidea), cestodes belonging to three different orders, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The interactions were traced from sexually mature to gravid proglottids for all species. Pieces of evidence of interactions among these species include specific tight contacts between microlamellae of the uterine epithelium and the egg capsule, networks of fibrils between eggs and uterus, or numerous branched diverticula of the uterine wall that surround eggs or combinations of these. The contacts between uterine epithelium and eggs take place in mature and post-mature proglottids, at a period of development when eggs are newly formed and the embryos are rapidly developing. The eggs grow and develop actively in tight contact with the uterine wall. The maximum diameter of eggs increases 1.5–2 times (or 3.5–4 times in M. arionis) during development. In all species, the intimate contacts between uterus and eggs have weakened or disappeared by the time the proglottids have become gravid. The association between uterus and eggs thus appears as strong evidence of active trophic interaction (or matrotrophy) between the parent organism and developing eggs.     

A nitroalkane-based approach to one-pot three-component synthesis of isocryptolepine and its analogs with potent anti-cancer activities

A second generation polyphosphoric acid-mediated one-pot three-component synthesis of indoloquinoline scaffold is developed. This improved version of the process involves electrophilically activated nitroalkanes for the installation of strategic C–C and C–N bonds and ring C assembly. This modification allows the elimination of unnecessary solvent change operations and all steps are carried out in a true, uninterrupted one-pot manner. A further improvement involves the possibility to install an ortho-amino group in situ. A synthetic application of this method is showcased by the concise synthesis of an isocryptolepine alkaloid and its synthetic analogs with potent anticancer activities.

An improved one-pot three-component synthesis involving electrophilically activated nitroalkanes allowed for efficient preparation of indoloquinolines with potent anticancer activities.     

Postoperative assessment of the efficiency of the radical removal of glioblastomas in the cerebral hemispheres

The paper analyzes the capacities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the postoperative period to evaluate the efficiency of surgical removal of the most malignant type of gliomas of the cerebral hemispheres. A total of 45 patients with different histological forms of cerebral hemispheral gliomas were examined, 37 of them with glioblastomas. Comparison of the results obtained by CT and MRI within the first 24 hours indicated that the latter was of greater informative value in all cases. At the same time only the use of a strict methodological approach to postoperatively estimating the remaining portions of glioblastomas makes it possible to apply these two methods as objective criteria for evaluating the efficiency of removal of a glioblastoma and hence the efficiency of subsequent therapeutic protocols. Contrast-enhanced MRI may be regarded as the method of choice in the primary assessment of patients with suspected recurrent glioblastoma.     

Serum Ornithine Carbamoyl Transferase as a Surrogate Marker in Malaria

Ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) activity and other liver function tests were studied in a total of 50 patients of clinical malaria and 15 controls. They were grouped as group I (positive for malarial parasite on peripheral blood smear, n=18), group II (negative for malarial parasite on peripheral blood smear (PBS) but responded to antimalarials, n=17) and group III (peripheral blood smear negative and did not respond to antimalarial therapy, n=15). The mean OCT levels were significantly raised in group I (6.79 ± 1.84 IU/L, p value = 0.006) and group II (5.0 ± 1.15 IU/L, p value = 0.014) as compared to controls (2.5 ± 1.13 IU/L) and returned to normal after treatment In contrast, group III had normal levels except in a case of kala azar and septicemia where OCT levels were high and increased further on treatment. Taking PBS positivity as a gold standard of diagnostic criteria, OCT had a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 86% with a high positive predictive value of 88% as compared to ALT which had a lower sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 80%. The clinical response rate in PBS negative cases of fever having high OCT level was 83% as compared to 35% in cases with normal OCT level, making OCT a good surrogate marker of malaria. OCT levels could also be of prognostic significance as 2 cases of cerebral malaria had high OCT levels of 11.1 UAL and 10.7 IU/L, respectively.Key Words: Malaria, Ornithine carbamoyl transferase     

Perspective of skull reparative surgery using three-dimensional computed tomography and stereolithography

The review presents the stages of the development and use of virtual three-dimensional CT images. A possibility to get a 3D-based real skull model and an implant for reconstruction using a 3D-prototype technique (stereolithography) is a new step to the development of reconstructive surgery.