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In this work details are given concerning the design and the implementation of a high technology system with facilities for measuring, acquisition and evaluation the global solar radiation. The pyranometer used for measuring the radiation was fabricated using a Si-photodiode as sensor and the data acquisition system was developed using Virtual Instrumentation and the labView 7.1 package. Previously to start functioning the acquisition system, the pyranometer was calibrated using as reference the pyranometer CM3 of the firma Kipp&Zonnen which is a thermopile type device, certified by means the norm ISO 9060 of 1990. The operation of the system was started in November of 2006 and until now has functioned in reliable way, without interruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe the experience with the use of endoscopic craniofacial procedures, evaluating the design and the efficacy of a new craniotome in cadavers and his clinical application in a case of sagittal synostosis for an endoscopic assisted cranioplasty. This procedure is a great option in the treatment of craniosynostosis, giving the benefits of minimal invasive surgery and eliminating the needing of big incisions, long hospital stay and reducing the postoperative morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises a group of heterogeneous paediatric embryonal neoplasms of the hindbrain with strong links to early development of the hindbrain 1-4 . Mutations that activate Sonic hedgehog signalling lead to Sonic hedgehog MB in the upper rhombic lip (RL) granule cell lineage 5-8 . By contrast, mutations that activate WNT signalling lead to WNT MB in the lower RL 9,10 . However, little is known about the more commonly occurring group 4 (G4) MB, which is thought to arise in the unipolar brush cell lineage 3,4 . Here we demonstrate that somatic mutations that cause G4 MB converge on the core binding factor alpha (CBFA) complex and mutually exclusive alterations that affect CBFA2T2, CBFA2T3, PRDM6, UTX and OTX2. CBFA2T2 is expressed early in the progenitor cells of the cerebellar RL subventricular zone in Homo sapiens, and G4 MB transcriptionally resembles these progenitors but are stalled in developmental time. Knockdown of OTX2 in model systems relieves this differentiation blockade, which allows MB cells to spontaneously proceed along normal developmental differentiation trajectories. The specific nature of the split human RL, which is destined to generate most of the neurons in the human brain, and its high level of susceptible EOMES + KI67 + unipolar brush cell progenitor cells probably predisposes our species to the development of G4 MB., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Endoscopic techniques are now an accepted part of the surgical armamentarium and are used routinely in a number of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. Endoscopic techniques are now being used commonly by plastic surgeons in forehead and face lifts. In both craniofacial surgery and in neurosurgery, the application of endoscopy potentially allows the surgical team to perform wide dissection of the dura mater in a minimally invasive fashion, thereby potentially reducing the risk of dural and brain injury. Also reduced by this surgical approach is potential injury to the major venous structures, such as the sagittal sinus, along with overall reduced bleeding. After an extensive laboratory study of 10 cadaveric dissections, the authors have refined a new endoscopic technique for completing an endoscopic intracranial craniofacial osteotomy. This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at the University of Brno (Czech Republic), and was performed as a cooperative multicenter project between the University of Palermo, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Montefiore Medical Center, the Hospital Infantil de Mexico, "Federico Gomez," and the Medtronic Midas Rex Institute, (Fort Worth, TX). During this cadaveric anatomic study and using small trephinations and skin incisions the authors were able to develop several different craniofacial and endoscopic monobloc procedures. To accomplish intracranial and facial osteotomies, a new malleable high-speed drill was designed for use in the endoscopic craniofacial approach. Using these newly developed cadaveric techniques and instrumentation, the authors performed two intracranial craniofacial procedures on children with congenital craniofacial anomalies. There would appear to be several significant advantages for the craniofacial patient as result of these new techniques: reduced surgical trauma, operative bleeding, surgical time, and hospitalization, along with a reduced risk of infection. It became quickly apparent, as a result of these cadaveric studies, that the learning curve for this endoscopic procedure is quite steep. Tutino M, Chico F, Tutino M, Goodrich JT, Ortiz Monasterio F. Endoscopic intracranial craniofacial and monobloc osteotomies with the aid of a malleable high-speed pneumatic drill: a cadaveric and clinical study.

The first nine clinical cases using endoscopic dissection of dura and craniotomy with minimal trephines were performed from June to August 1997 after trial dissection of 19 fresh cadavers conducted at the University of Brno's Pathology Institute in the Czech Republic. These procedures involved the refinement of craniofacial and intracranial surgical techniques using the endoscope and prototype instruments. These dissections demonstrated that intracranial structures can be explored using an endoscope without encumbrance, and that major craniofacial surgeries may also be performed with minor incisions and minimal craniotomies. Furthermore, we seek to illustrate that use of the endoscope in craniofacial surgery provides improved visualization and protection of vital structures while simultaneously allowing the surgeon to perform delicate maneuvers. This permits minimal brain retraction with less subsequent morbidity. This minimally invasive craniofacial-intracranial surgical technique using the endoscope is performed with minimal cutaneous incisions, avoiding wide exposure of subcutaneous tissue, cranium, and meningeal structures. The ultimate goal is to perform endoscopic intracranial osteotomies and obtain advancement of craniofacial skeleton with gradual distraction. Potential neurosurgical advantages include improved postoperative recovery, decreased cerebral edema, and decreased risk of hemorrhage and infection.

The authors present a series of 66 cases of cerebrospinal fluid fistulas. Ways of localizing the fistula as well as different therapeutic methods are studied. They insist on the efficiency of external lumbar drainage of the cerebro-spinal fluid which permits a fair number of patients to recover without surgery.

A modified methylmethacrylate cranioplasty is presented. After preparation of the skull defect, a Teflon net is placed and fitted over it, overlapping the border by one centimeter. The plastic material is spread over the Teflon net in the skull defect and is removed as soon as it becomes firm. Next, the plate is perforated at several points and then is fixed with Vicryl stiches between the Teflon net and the epicranium. This procedure is simple and fast. The fixation is firm; the result is good.

An uncommon case, probably the first in Mexico, of fibromuscular dysplasia involving the internal, extra and intracranial carotid artery, histologically demonstrated in an 18-year old young man is presented. The few bibliographical references on the subject are reviewed and emphasis is placed on the importance of angiographic studies for the establishment of the aethiology of the disease in all cases of occlusive cerebrovascular accident.