Predicting Glioblastoma Cellular Motility from In Vivo MRI with a Radiomics Based Regression Model.

Characterizing the motile properties of glioblastoma tumor cells could provide a useful way to predict the spread of tumors and to tailor the therapeutic approach. Radiomics has emerged as a diagnostic tool in the classification of tumor grade, stage, and prognosis. The purpose of this work is to examine the potential of radiomics to predict the motility of glioblastoma cells.

The effect of simulation training on resident proficiency in thoracolumbar pedicle screw placement using computer-assisted navigation.

Objective: Residency work-hour restrictions necessitate efficient, reproducible training. Simulation training for spinal instrumentation placement shows significant benefit to learners' subjective and objective proficiency. Cadaveric laboratories are most effective but have high cost and low availability.

Inflammation-induced iron transport and metabolism by brain microglia.

Microglia are immune cells of the central nervous system and are implicated in brain inflammation. However, how brain microglia modulate transport and metabolism of the essential metal iron in response to pro- and anti-inflammatory environmental cues is unclear. Here, we characterized uptake of transferrin (Tf)-bound iron (TBI) and non-Tf-bound iron (NTBI) by immortalized microglial (IMG) cells.

Immune and viral therapies for malignant primary brain tumors.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a primary brain tumor with great lethality. Current standard of care with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are ineffective in curing this disease. Recent advancements in biological therapies show promise in treating brain tumors.

Characterization of a novel adult murine immortalized microglial cell line and its activation by amyloid-beta.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced microglia activation. This pro-inflammatory response promotes neuronal damage, and therapies are sought to limit microglial activation. Screening efforts to develop new pharmacological inhibitors require a robust in vitro cell system.

The small molecule ferristatin II induces hepatic hepcidin expression in vivo and in vitro.

Previous studies have shown that administration of ferristatin II to rats is associated with decreased serum iron, reduced transferrin saturation, and increased hepatic hepcidin expression. BMP and IL-6 signaling act via Smad and Stat3 transcription factors, respectively, to increase expression of hepcidin, the master regulator of iron metabolism. In this study, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of ferristatin II action on hepcidin production.