Primary choroid plexus papilloma of the foramen magnum--case report

A 50-year-old male presented with a choroid plexus papilloma in the foramen magnum manifesting as dysesthesia in the right hand and severe headache. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly showed that the tumor was located in the cerebellomedullary cistern, without extension into the fourth ventricle. However, differentiation from hemangioblastoma or foramen magnum tumor was difficult by neuroimaging. Intraoperative observation found the tumor was located extraventricularly and attached to the choroid plexus of the foramen of Magendie. The tumor was grossly totally resected. Histological examination proved the tumor was a choroid plexus papilloma without malignancy. His neurological deficits resolved almost completely.     

Normally Off n-Channel GaN MOSFETs on Si Substrates Using an SAG Technique and Ion Implantation

We have demonstrated n-channel gallium nitride (GaN) MOSFETs using a selective area growth (SAG) technique and ion implantation on a silicon substrate. Both MOSFETs realized good normally off operations. The MOSFET using the SAG technique showed a large drain current of 112 mA/mm, a lower leakage current, and a high field mobility of 113 cm²/V . s, which is, to our knowledge, the best for a GaN MOSFET on a silicon substrate.     

Pipe Jacking Method for Long Curve Construction

The D301 pipe jacking method is the first to accomplish long spans, curves and high speed construction in the field of small diameter (300 mm) tunneling. The design of the system components are described: tunneling machine with directional control ability, jacking machine, power unit, and control unit which contains a microprocessor. As a result of field tests in about 100 m in length with a 200 curvature radius, the following capabilities are confirmed: the span length is up to 100 m, the curvature radius is down to 200 m, it is useable in either cohesive or sandy soils having N‐curves up to 10, and the construction speed is up to 3 m∕h.     

Efficacy of cefditoren pivoxil in the treatment of acute otitis media due to benzylpenicillin-insensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae

Clinical and bacteriological studies were carried out on cefditoren pivoxil (CDTR-PI) granule in infantile purulent acute otitis media treated at general practice settings and the following findings were obtained: 1. Two hundred forty eight strains were isolated from 210 patients, almost all of which (81.1%) harbored the following two strains: Streptococcus pneumoniae (42.3%) and Haemophilus influenzae (38.8%). Among S. pneumoniae, benzylpenicillin (PCG)-insensitive S. pneumoniae, (PISP) or PCG-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) was 36.2%, corresponding to 15.3% of all the isolates and found in 18% of all patients. 2. The bacteria in the middle ear discharge and the nasopharyngeal swabs were correlated with conformity rate of more than 80% with regard to Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae but no Staphylococcus aureus was detected simultaneously from the two sources in any of the patients. S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were considered to be contaminants that were originated from the external auditory meatus at the time of sampling. 3. Frequencies of isolation of S. pneumoniae from different age groups were higher in a lower age group between 0 and 4 years and those of PISP or PRSP had the similar tendency. 4. Antibacterial activities were determined for CDTR and related oral antibiotics against the strains of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae as representative isolates. CDTR had stronger antibacterial activities against both bacteria than the reference antibiotics. CDTR was found to be transferred into the otorrhea at a mean concentration of 0.58 micrograms/ml after single administration of CDTR-PI granule formulation at 3 mg(potency)/kg. 5. As for bacterial eradication efficacies in the middle ear cavity and the nasopharynx, eradication rates were higher than 80% in the middle ear cavity in all cases without large differences among bacterial species but eradication rate of PISP was 30% in the nasopharynx, and it was significantly lower than those of PSSP and other bacteria. 6. In view of clinical effectiveness, the efficacy rate was 89.4% and bacteriological effects was 92.2%; in view of safety, adverse reactions were; observed in 9.5% and the rate of usefulness was 89.4%. 7. From above-stated results, CDTR-PI was considered as a useful oral antibiotic for infantile acute otitis media including PISP infections.     

Coexistence of generalized morphea with hisotological changes in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and lichen planus

A morphometric study has shown that 10% of the fibers of the ulnar nerve should suffice to reinnervate the biceps muscle in brachial plexus palsies. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by a morphometric study using computerized microanalysis, the cross-sectional surface areas of the different collateral and terminal branches of the ulnar nerve. This was expressed in terms of percentage of the cross-sectional surface area of the main trunk of the ulnar nerve. The study revealed that the branch to the flexor digitorum profundus bellies to the ring and little fingers formed 9.5% of the cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve. Thus use of these fascicles destined for the flexor digitorum profundus, identified by intra-operative nerve stimulation, at the level of the arm would be sufficient for neurotisation of the nerve to the biceps. This has been confirmed by the initial clinical results in patients operated upon using this technique.     

Saturable function of P-glycoprotein as a drug-efflux pump in multidrug-resistant tumour cells

In the past, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was considered a colonizing microbe in the immunocompetent host. Today it should be considered a potential pathogen. We present a case of MAC necrotizing pneumonia in a 27-year-old man who tested negatively for the human immunodeficiency virus, had no typical granulomas, and responded rapidly to antimicrobial therapy.     

Cytotoxic components of bardanae fructus (goboshi)

Bardanae Furctus (Goboshi) extract showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity against human hepatoma HepG2 cells and mouse sarcoma 180 cells, respectively. In this study, the cytotoxicities of four fractions and three major components (arctiin, arctigenin, and chlorogenic acid) isolated from Goboshi extract were examined. Arctiin and arctigenin, which were contained in the ethylacetate fraction and n-butanol fraction, respectively, showed strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells, but little toxicity against Chang liver cells. Chlorogenic acid isolated from the water fraction did not affect the viability of these cells. The cytotoxicity of arctigenin against Chang liver cells was markedly potentiated by treatment with glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor, L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). On the other hand, in HepG2 cells, the cytotoxicity of arctigenin was hardly changed by BSO. The cytotoxicity of arctigenin against HepG2 cells increased in an exposure-time dependent manner. These characteristics of arctigenin were similar to those of Goboshi extract, as previously observed. We therefore conclude that the principal cytotoxic components of Goboshi extract are arctiin and its aglycone arctigenin.     

Expression of functional tissue factor on small vesicles of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human vascular endothelial cells

An autopsy case of Sj?gren-Larsson syndrome (SLS), an 8-year-old boy, is presented with neuropathological investigations. Widespread deposition of 2 different types of unusual substances, stained lightly or strongly with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) was most conspicuous in this case. The first type of them, lightly stained with PAS at room temperature, was widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS): the white matter of cerebrum and brainstem, subpial and subependymal glial layers, subpial space, perivascular space of small blood vessels, and their adjacent nervous tissue. The second type, strongly stained with PAS, small round or ellipsoid bodies, was found in the subpial, subependymal and perivascular glial layers. The first type of PAS-positive substances might be fatty alcohols or their metabolites, and the second type, some degraded products of lipids in astrocytic processes. Lipofuscin-like substances were accumulated in perivascular macrophages located around small blood vessels. Spheroid bodies (axonal swellings) were frequently observed in relay nuclei: lateral geniculate body (LGB), pontine nuclei, inferior olivary nuclei, posterior funicular nuclei, or cerebellar dentate nuclei. A lot of PAS-positive fine granules were contained in a spheroid body of LGB. Scarcity of myelinated nerve fibers was recognized in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter and the corticospinal tracts of spinal cord. Focal cortical dysgenesis, resembling that of unlayered polymicrogyria, was observed in bilateral insular cortices. Further histochemical studies are needed to explore the exact pathogenesis, but widespread deposition of PAS-positive substances in CNS may support the supposition that SLS is one of congenital errors of lipid metabolism.