Large colloid cyst in lateral ventricle simulating brain tumour

Summary This case report describes a patient presenting with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, whose computerized tomographic (CT) scan was highly suggestive of a large low-grade glioma invading the basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-demarcated space-occupying mass of increased intensity in the left lateral ventricle and adjacent white matter. Following stereotactic biopsy, which yielded a homogeneous jelly-like material, the mass was removed microsurgically and was found to be most like a colloid cyst on histological examination. Discussion focusses on the clinical and differential diagnostic implications of this very unusual combination of findings.     

A cyclic peptide–polymer probe for the detection of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype A

A Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) ELISA detection system was developed based upon an 11-mer cyclic peptide, termed C11-019, that was identified through peptide phage display technology. The assay employs a sandwich format using the C11-019 cyclic peptide attached to a PEMA (poly(ethylene maleic anhydride)) matrix as the capture phase and anti-BoNT/A polyclonal antibodies as the detection phase. Results reported demonstrate that the C11-019 peptide–polymer can specifically bind to BoNT/A with no cross-reactivity to other serotypes examined in assay buffers and a variety of body fluids and foodstuffs. When a highly sensitive chemiluminescent substrate was engaged, the detection of 1 pg/mL could be readily achieved within 3 h with a linear range of 0.1–1 ng/mL. These results demonstrate that an inexpensive peptide–polymer-based capture ELISA system can be used for rapid, sensitive and highly specific BoNT detection.     

In-situ measurements of gas permeability in fuel cell membranes using a cylindrical microelectrode

A new method to study permeation of gases in proton conducting membranes using a cylindrical microelectrode is presented. The focus of this work was to develop an in-situ method to study transport properties of hydrogen and oxygen close to real fuel cell operating conditions. The gas permeability is strongly affected by the change of water content in the membrane and it is therefore of advantage that, by using this method, measurements can be carried out over a wide range of relative humidities. The numerical method makes it possible to separate the diffusion coefficient and the concentration of dissolved gas in the membrane and also allows kinetic limitations to be taken into account. Chronoamperometric measurements on Nafion® 117 were successfully evaluated numerically. Experiments at temperatures of 25 and 60 °C with respect to oxygen permeation and at 60 °C for hydrogen permeation at relative humidities in the range 30–94% are presented. The reproducibility of data was excellent when measuring with different microelectrodes on the same membrane sample, but differed when measuring on different samples. In general, the permeability increases with increasing temperature and relative humidity.     

An Evaluation of Technetium-99m Tin Colloid--Its Value in the Diagnosis of Renal Transplant Rejection

The value of the Technetium-99m tin colloid (TTC) scan in thediagnosis of renal transplant rejection occurring more than1 month following transplantation was assessed. To our knowledge,use of this agent has not previously been reported. Gamma cameraimaging was performed on 15 occasions in 14 patients in whomplasma creatinine was rising and in three patients in whom renalfunction was stable. Both a qualitative and a quantitative assessmentof images was made. The radioactivity recorded over the graft at 12–16 mmpost injection was expressed as a percentage of that recordedat 0–4 min. In the nine patients in whom graft perfusionwas adequate to allow interpretation of the TTC scan and inwhom rejection was diagnosed by biopsy (six cases) or on clinicalgrounds (three cases), the index ranged from 45 to 153%. Intwo patients the graft was poorly perfused and the accumulationof TTC was predictably low despite the presence of rejection.In the seven patients with either a stable creatinine or withrising creatinine not due to rejection, the index ranged from5 to 43%. Previously reported studies have shown that sulphur colloidsmay be of value in diagnosing graft rejection. This study suggeststhat Tc99m tin colloid may be regarded as a suitable alternativescanning agent and that some simplification of data collectionand analysis can be achieved.     

天冬胶作为血管栓塞剂毒性实验的初步报告

目的:从其毒性和相关特性方面研究天冬胶作为血管栓塞剂的可行性。方法:昆明小鼠腹腔注射天冬胶后观察外貌行为、食物消耗、体重情况。最后检测WBC、血小板、RBC和Hb浓度;测定血清ALT、肌酐和尿素氮浓度。病理检查心、肝、肾、脾、脑、腹膜、生精组织及腹壁肌肉。大腿肌肉注射天冬胶的小鼠1、3、7 d后各处死,取局部肌肉标本送病理检查。结果:1.仅实验组给药后第1天反应稍差及食量显著低于对照组(P<0.001)外,第2天起各组外貌行为无异常、食量无显著差异(均P>0.05)。2.各组小鼠的体重随时间而增加,除实验组2于实验1周后增长速度显著低于实验组1(P<0.02)和对照组(P<0.001)外,其他无显著差异。3.各组血WBC、血小板、RBC、Hb及血清ALT、肌酐和尿素氮浓度无显著差别。4.仅1个实验组小鼠肝脏内可见多灶性淋巴细胞和其他炎症细胞浸润区,其他组肝脏表现正常。实验组腹膜出现少许慢性炎症细胞的浸润和间皮细胞的增生。其他均无病理改变。大腿肌肉内仅见少许残留异物,无病理改变。结论:天冬胶使用安全、生物相容性较好,作为血管栓塞剂有较好的前景。     

A rapid half-cell technique for the pre-screening of polymer fuel cell catalysts

Four platinum-based catalysts with different catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction have been prepared and tested in polymer fuel cells (PFCs) and in half-cells with H₂SO₄ and HF electrolytes. The activity results of PFCs at 0.9 V versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) can be mimicked in parallel by the results obtained in HF electrolyte but not by the results obtained in H₂SO₄ electrolyte. This paper concludes that the pre-screening of a huge number of Pt-based catalysts for the selection of potential catalysts for the PFCs can be carried out by a rapid half-cell technique with a non-adsorbing electrolyte such as HF.     

维丁胶性钙预防关节腔内注射皮质类固醇引起骨关节的损害

目的：采用维丁胶性钙预防关节内注射皮质类固醇对骨关节的损害。方法：４５只健康新西兰白兔，随机分为三组，每组１５只。Ａ组：右膝关节内注射醋酸强的松龙７．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ。Ｂ组：用药同Ａ组，同时每周肌注维丁胶性钙三次，每次１ｍｌ。Ｃ组：右膝关节内注射生理盐水０．３７５ｍｌ／ｋｇ，作为对照。于实验的第３、５、７、９、１１周的第１天，每组取３只动物作髋关节和膝关节Ｘ光照片，并取膝关节及股骨头标本作病理组织学和超微结构检查。结果：Ａ组。用药２次后，Ｘ线照片、病理组织学检查和超微结构观察均有骨关节损害的表现，并随给药次数的增加而加重。Ｂ组。用药６次后才出现轻度病理组织学和超微结构改变。Ｃ组。各项指标均正常。从而证实维丁胶性钙有预防或减轻皮质类固醇所致骨关节损害的作用。结论：在疼痛治疗中，关节内注射皮质类固醇应尽量减少注射次数和延长间隔时间，并同时应用维丁胶性钙肌注有一定预防骨质损害作用。     

Crystalloids, colloids and kids: a review of paediatric burns in intensive care

This is a retrospective review of all burns patients admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over a 7 year period. Resuscitation fluid therapy and clinical course are presented. Ninety-eight new burns victims were admitted with a mortality rate of 10.2%, all in burns of greater than 25% body surface area (BSA). The incidence of ARDS was 20%, with an 18% mortality rate. Of 85 patients with burns greater than 5% BSA, 33 received the hospital-recommended colloid-based resuscitation formula, 46 received a combination of crystalloids and colloids and in 6 patients the resuscitation regimen was not able to be determined. The aetiology, age distribution, sex ratio, severity of burns and length of stay in hospital did not alter significantly over the study period. The number of burns admissions to PICU increased, as did their duration of intubation and ICU stay. The hospital-recommended resuscitation formula consistently underestimated the fluid volume required for adequate resuscitation. No statistically significant difference in adverse effects was found between the resuscitation groups. This study is unable to recommend a definitive approach to the fluid resuscitation of burns shock in paediatrics and the best approach is one of meticulous fluid resuscitation titrated on clinical effect.     

Computer simulations and the use of radiolabelled sulphur colloid to measure the efficiency of the mononuclear phagocyte system

Technique are described whereby the clearance of the radiolabelled blood borne colloid can be continuously and reproducibly measured non-invasively from the same animal in vivo or from the isolated perfused intact liver in vitro. Using these techniques, the rate of removal of radiolabelled sulphur colloid by the mononuclear phagocytes in vivo and in vitro was shown to be biexponential. The pattern of clearance of colloid and the factors contributing to this were analysed with the aid of a computer program which mimicked the in vitro liver perfusion.