Functionalized carbon nanotube microfibers for chronic neural implants.

BACKGROUND: Much progress has been made at the interface between neural tissue and electrodes for neurophysiology. However, there continues to be a need for novel materials that integrate well with the nervous system and facilitate neural recordings with longer-term sustainability and stability. Such materials have the potential to improve clinical approaches and provide important tools for basic neuroscience research. NEW METHOD: In this paper, we explore the use of dry-spun untreated or functionalized carbon nanotube fibers as implantable electrodes for neural recordings from insects over extended time periods. RESULTS: Measurements of fly eyes responding to light flashes illustrate the suitability of these materials for recording both the low- and high-frequency components of neural signals. Repeated recordings show good sustainability, especially with functionalized carbon nanotube fibers. In particular, recordings from the optic lobes of Madagascar hissing cockroaches last for at least 8 weeks. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): Electrophysiological research continues to rely heavily on metal electrodes that are good for short-lived preparations but less suitable for longer-term recordings, as scar tissue formation and cytotoxicity tend to cause a gradual reduction in signals. CONCLUSIONS: Functionalized carbon nanotubes are a promising novel material that can be used to obtain long-term or repeated stable recordings, which are necessary for longitudinal studies, or to maintain other neural tissue interfaces such as those in insect-machine hybrid robots. The introduced insect preparation can also be used for the relatively rapid and cost-efficient testing of novel electrode materials.

A case of mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall of a child.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a rare benign tumor that usually occurs in infants and children. The clinical presentations and imaging features are atypical and difficult to differentiate from malignant tumors. In this article, we present a case with a large mesenchymal hamartoma tumor of the chest wall. A large right-sided chest wall mass was discovered in a 6-month-old boy by his mother. Chest X-ray revealed a thoracic mass with well-defined margins on the right side that expanded into the right ribs. Chest computed tomography showed that the mass originated from the thoracic wall. The patient underwent complete removal of the mass, and histopathology results confirmed a mesenchymal hamartoma.

Miliary brain tuberculosis in an infant.

Tuberculosis remains prevalent in developing countries. Central nervous system tuberculosis often occurs secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis, transmitted through the bloodstream, and has a high mortality rate. Meningitis is the most common presentation of central nervous system tuberculosis, followed by tuberculoma, tuberculous brain abscess, and miliary tuberculosis. In this report, we present a case of miliary tuberculosis in a 3 month-old boy. The patient had a fever and was breathless for 1 month. The patient appeared cyanotic, experienced a seizure, and became comatose. Chest computed tomography scan suggested a pulmonary miliary tuberculosis abscess in the right lung and mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed the lesions were homogeneously enhancing tiny 2-3 mm nodules characteristic of miliary TB. Polymerase chain reaction of the cerebrospinal fluid and sputum samples confirmed tuberculosis. The patient died 1 month after diagnosis.

A case report of congenital temporal bone encephalocele presenting as a tumor in a child.

An encephalocele may be congenital or acquired and is characterized by the herniation of cranial contents through a skull bone defect. Most congenital encephaloceles occur in the occipital area, and temporal bone encephaloceles in children are rare. Congenital encephaloceles can be diagnosed either prenatally or after birth. We describe the case of a congenital temporal bone encephalocele in a 2-month-old boy that was diagnosed after birth. The patient presented with seizures and a bulging mass in the right neck that was detected by his mother during the second month after birth. The combined results from brain magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of encephalocele. Although the surgical repair was offered, the family declined.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (type III) in a two-year-old: A case report.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant tumor of the lungs or pleura that primarily affects children. Pleuropulmonary blastoma is classified into 3 types based on morphology, including cystic (type I), mixed (type II), or solid (type III). These morphological types correlate with prognosis. In this article, we present a case of type III pleuropulmonary blastoma in a 2-year-old girl. The patient was treated with tumoral resection and chemotherapy; however, she experienced local recurrence and spinal metastasis after 5 months of treatment.

Multifocal precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in an infant with cardiac involvement: A case report.

Lymphoma with cardiac involvement is a high-risk lesion, especially in children. We report a rare clinical case of multifocal precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in a child with cardiac involvement. A 4-year-old boy presented to the Vietnam National Children's Hospital with a vague headache, but magnetic resonance imaging of the head was normal. After 1 week, the patient showed symptoms of chest pain, fatigue, dyspnea, and abdominal pain. On transthoracic echocardiography and multislice computed tomography of the thorax, a mass was detected in the right atrial wall. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small bowel intussusception, multiple nodules in the intestinal wall, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histopathology of the bowel confirmed the diagnosis of multifocal precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The patient responded to 3 cycles of chemotherapy for lymphoma. Therefore, combining multiple imaging methods allowed for early diagnosis and improved treatment.