Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin in cranial surgery: a single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled noninferiority trial.

Objective: CSF leakage is a major complication after cranial surgery, and although fibrin sealants are widely used for reinforcing dural closure, concerns exist regarding their safety, efficacy, and cost. Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), an autologous platelet concentrate, is readily available and inexpensive, making it a cost-effective alternative for commercially available fibrin sealants. This study aimed to demonstrate the noninferiority of L-PRF compared with commercially available fibrin sealants in preventing postoperative CSF leakage in supra- and infratentorial cranial surgery, with secondary outcomes focused on CSF leakage risk factors and adverse events.

A randomized controlled trial comparing conservative versus surgical treatment in patients with foot drop due to peroneal nerve entrapment: results of an internal feasibility pilot study.

Background: Based on the lack of literature to support any treatment strategy in patients with foot drop due to peroneal nerve entrapment, a prospective study randomizing patients between surgery and conservative treatment is warranted. Since studies comparing surgery to no surgery are often challenging, we first examined the feasibility of such a randomized controlled trial.

Methods/design: An internal feasibility pilot study was conducted to assess several aspects of process, resource, management, and scientific feasibility.

Active and Passive Cycling Decrease Subthalamic β Oscillations in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Preserved cycling capabilities in patients with Parkinson's disease, especially in those with freezing of gait are still poorly understood. Previous research with invasive local field potential recordings in the subthalamic nucleus has shown that cycling causes a stronger suppression of β oscillations compared to walking, which facilitates motor continuation.

Methods: We recorded local field potentials from 12 patients with Parkinson's disease (six without freezing of gait, six with freezing of gait) who were bilaterally implanted with deep brain stimulation electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus.

Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin in endoscopic endonasal skull base reconstruction: study protocol for a multicenter prospective, parallel-group, single-blinded randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: Recent advances in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (EETA) for skull base lesions have resulted in a significant increase in extent and complexity of skull base defects, demanding more elaborate and novel reconstruction techniques to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and to improve healing. Currently, commercially available fibrin sealants are often used to reinforce the skull base reconstruction. However, problems have been reported regarding hypersensitivity reactions, efficacy, and costs.

Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin in cranial surgery: study protocol for a prospective, parallel-group, single-blinded randomized controlled non-inferiority trial {1}.

Background: CSF leakage is a major complication after cranial surgery, thus, adequate dural closure must be performed. Commercially available fibrin sealants are currently considered the gold standard for dural closure, but problems have been reported regarding safety, efficacy, and costs. This trial aims to investigate autologous leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as an alternative to commercially available fibrin sealants.

Opposite Macrophage Polarization in Different Subsets of Ovarian Cancer: Observation from a Pilot Study.

The role of the innate immune system in ovarian cancer is gaining importance. The relevance of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) is insufficiently understood. In this pilot project, comprising the immunofluorescent staining of 30 biopsies taken from 24 patients with ovarian cancer, we evaluated the presence of total TAM (cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 expression), M1 (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression), and M2 (anti-mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC1) expression), and the blood vessel diameter.

Increased Immunosuppression Is Related to Increased Amounts of Ascites and Inferior Prognosis in Ovarian Cancer.

Background/aim: The presence of ascites in ovarian cancer patients is considered a negative prognostic factor. The underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood.

Materials And Methods: The amount of ascites was evaluated, preferably, using diffusion-weighted MRI at primary diagnosis in a retrospective cohort of 214 women with ovarian cancer, in an ordinal manner (amount of ascites: none, limited, moderate, abundant).

Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells: Key Drivers of Immunosuppression in Ovarian Cancer.

The presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is associated with a longer overall survival in advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Despite the prognostic impact of TILs, response to checkpoint-inhibitors and antigen-specific active immunotherapy is limited in ovarian cancer. The goal of our study was to investigate the interaction between ovarian cancer and the innate and adaptive immune system in the ID8-fLuc syngeneic ovarian cancer mouse model.

Plasma-rich fibrin in neurosurgery: a feasibility study.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage represents an important and sometimes challenging complication in both cranial and spinal surgery. Current available options for dural closure pose inherent problems regarding safety, efficacy, immunogenicity, cost, and invasiveness. In this article, the use of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) derived from the patient's own blood is proposed to facilitate dural closure.

In Vitro Generation of Murine Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy: An Optimized Protocol.

Background/aim: Dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy induces tumor-reactive T-cells. We optimized the maturation of murine DC against ovarian cancer.

Materials And Methods: Immature DC were generated from bone-marrow progenitor cells and loaded with hypericin-photodynamic-treated (Hyp-PDT) tumor cells (primary maturation).

The Use of Toll-like Receptor 4 Agonist to Reshape the Immune Signature in Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Dendritic cell (DC) mono-immunotherapy has not been successful so far in ovarian cancer. The addition of a toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist has the potential to boost the innate immune system, in addition to the adoptive immune response initiated by DCs.

Materials And Methods: ID8-fLuc C57BL/6 mice were injected with DCs loaded with hypericin-based photodynamic therapy-treated tumor lysate.

The dark side of ID8-Luc2: pitfalls for luciferase tagged murine models for ovarian cancer.

Reliable mouse models are key in the discovery and development of novel anticancer treatments. Non-invasive monitoring techniques such as bioluminescence imaging (BLI) are useful tools to determine tumor engraftment and evaluate tumor growth. However, the development of ascites in ovarian cancer mouse models leads to possible difficulties.

Depletion of regulatory T cells in a mouse experimental glioma model through anti-CD25 treatment results in the infiltration of non-immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the brain.

The recruitment and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the micro-environment of malignant brain tumors has detrimental effects on antitumoral immune responses. Hence, local elimination of Tregs within the tumor micro-environment represents a highly valuable tool from both a fundamental and clinical perspective. In the syngeneic experimental GL261 murine glioma model, Tregs were prophylactically eliminated through treatment with PC61, an anti-CD25 mAb.

Structure and regulation of the Asr gene family in banana.

Abscisic acid, stress, ripening proteins (ASR) are a family of plant-specific small hydrophilic proteins. Studies in various plant species have highlighted their role in increased resistance to abiotic stress, including drought, but their specific function remains unknown. As a first step toward their potential use in crop improvement, we investigated the structure and regulation of the Asr gene family in Musa species (bananas and plantains).