Spinal Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma.

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a rare brain tumour generally located in the chiasmatic-hypothalamic region. In comparison to pilocytic astrocytoma, PMA has distinct histopathological features, aggressive clinical behaviour, a high recurrence rate, and early cerebrospinal fluid dissemination. Only 14 cases of PMA have been reported in the spinal cord since its pathological description in 1999.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt peritoneal catheter knot formation.

The ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a common procedure in pediatric neurosurgery that carries a risk of complications at cranial and abdominal sites. We report on the case of a child with shunt infection and malfunction. The peritoneal catheter was tethered within the abdominal cavity, precluding its removal.

Turcot syndrome: a synchronous clinical presentation of glioblastoma multiforme and adenocarcinoma of the colon.

Turcot syndrome (TS) is a rare hereditary disorder clinically characterized by the occurrence of primary tumors of the colon and the central nervous system (CNS). Here we present the case of an 11-year-old boy with a synchronous clinical presentation of both glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and colonic adenocarcinoma. A molecular genetic study revealed microsatellite instability in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene.

Cauda equina syndrome as the initial presenting clinical feature of medulloblastoma: a case report.

Introduction: Medulloblastoma is one of the most common pediatric brain malignancies. The usual presenting clinical features are related to posterior fossa syndrome or/and hydrocephalus. Cauda equina syndrome is a very rare presentation for this disease.

Effects of solvation on the spin state of iron(III) in 2,8,12,18-tetrabutyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-5,10-diazaporphyrinatoiron(III) chloride.

The chloroiron(III) complex of 2,8,12,18-tetrabutyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-5,10-diazaporphyrin, [(Cl)FeMBDAP], was prepared and studied by X-ray crystallography and by solution (1)H NMR and UV-vis measurements. In the crystal structure of hemisolvate [(Cl)FeMBDAP] x 0.5CHCl(3), two nonequivalent [(Cl)FeMBDAP] units containing Fe1 and Fe2 are arranged in pi-dimers with considerable overlap on their concave sides.

Pulmonary embolism secondary to clozapine therapy.

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for paranoid schizophrenia (treatment resistant type). However its use has been limited by the well established association with neutropenia and agranulocytosis. It has also been suggested that clozapine therapy is associated with other serious adverse effects such as fatal myocarditis or cardiomyopathy.

Comparison of in-house-developed ELISA with HPLC techniques for the analysis of atrazine residues.

In-house developed ELISA was standardized to monitor atrazine residues in different environmental samples. The standard curve was linear, indicating an increase in log concentration with decrease in absorbance (%B/B(0)=1.075-0.

Oesophageal replacement in children with indolent stricture of the oesophagus.

Objective: To evaluate the indications for and results of oesophageal replacement for acquired oesophageal stricture in children.

Methods: This was a descriptive interventional study. Between 1987 and 2003, patients who had peptic or corrosive stricture were included in the study.