Transcriptional subtypes of glottic cancer characterized by differential activation of canonical oncogenic programming.

Background: There is a paucity of data concerning molecular heterogeneity among glottic squamous cell carcinoma, and the clinical implications thereof.

Methods: Data corresponding to glottic squamous cell carcinoma were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The Onco-GPS computational methodology was levied to derive four patterns of transcriptional activity and three functional subtypes of glottic cancer.

Reviewing PTBP1 Domain Modularity in the Pre-Genomic Era: A Foundation to Guide the Next Generation of Exploring PTBP1 Structure-Function Relationships.

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) is one of the most well-described RNA binding proteins, known initially for its role as a splicing repressor before later studies revealed its numerous roles in RNA maturation, stability, and translation. While PTBP1's various biological roles have been well-described, it remains unclear how its four RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains coordinate these functions. The early PTBP1 literature saw extensive effort placed in detailing structures of each of PTBP1's RRMs, as well as their individual RNA sequence and structure preferences.

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) contains a novel regulatory sequence, the rBH3, that binds the prosurvival protein MCL1.

The maturation of RNA from its nascent transcription to ultimate utilization (e.g., translation, miR-mediated RNA silencing, etc.

The GTPase Rab27b regulates the release, autophagic clearance, and toxicity of α-synuclein.

α-Synuclein (αsyn) is the primary component of proteinaceous aggregates termed Lewy bodies that pathologically define synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). αsyn is hypothesized to spread through the brain in a prion-like fashion by misfolded protein forming a template for aggregation of endogenous αsyn. The cell-to-cell release and uptake of αsyn are considered important processes for its prion-like spread.

Polymalic acid chlorotoxin nanoconjugate for near-infrared fluorescence guided resection of glioblastoma multiforme.

Maximal surgical resection of glioma remains the single most effective treatment. Tools to guide the resection while avoiding removal of normal brain tissues can aid surgeons in achieving optimal results. One strategy to achieve this goal is to rely upon interoperative fluorescence staining of tumor cells in vivo, that can be visualized by the surgeon during resection.

The Efficacy of Ketogenic Diet and Associated Hypoglycemia as an Adjuvant Therapy for High-Grade Gliomas: A Review of the Literature.

Background: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, often referred to as a ketogenic diet (KD), has been suggested to reduce frequency and severity of chronic pediatric and adult seizures. A hypoglycemic state, perpetuated by administration of a KD, has been hypothesized as a potential aid to the current standard treatments of high-grade gliomas.

Methods: To understand the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet as a therapy for malignant gliomas, studies analyzing components of a KD were reviewed.

Association between in-hospital adverse events and mortality for patients with brain tumors.

Object: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety indicators (PSIs) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) are administrative data-based metrics. The use of these outcomes as standard performance measures has been discussed in previous studies. With the objective of determining the applicability of these events as performance metrics among patients undergoing brain tumor surgery, this study had 2 aims: 1) to evaluate the association between PSIs, HACs, and in-hospital mortality rates; and 2) to determine a correlation between hospital volume, PSIs, and HACs.

Unplanned readmissions and survival following brain tumor surgery.

Object: Research on readmissions has been influenced by efforts to reduce hospital cost and avoid penalties stipulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Less emphasis has been placed on understanding these readmissions and their impact on patient outcomes. This study 1) delineates reasons for readmission, 2) explores factors associated with readmissions, and 3) describes their impact on the survival of glioblastoma patients.

The effect of weight in the outcomes of meningioma patients.

Background: Meningiomas are more prevalent in women and mostly benign in nature. Our aim was to evaluate the association of weight and outcomes of meningioma patients undergoing craniotomy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of meningioma patients discharged postcraniotomy between 1998 and 2007 was conducted.

High levels of phosphorylated MAP kinase are associated with poor survival among patients with glioblastoma during the temozolomide era.

We investigated whether high levels of activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) were associated with poor survival among patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma during the temozolomide era. Nuclear p-MAPK expression of 108 patients with GBM was quantified and categorized in the following levels: low (0%-10%), medium (11%-40%), and high (41%-100%). Independent predictors of overall survival were determined using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

The effect of centralization of caseload for primary brain tumor surgeries: trends from 2001-2007.

Background: Improved patient outcomes have been associated with high-caseload hospitals for a multitude of conditions. This study analyzed adult patients undergoing surgical resection or biopsy of primary brain tumors. The aim of this study is two-fold: (1) to evaluate whether the trend towards centralization of primary brain tumor care in the US has continued during the period of between 2001 and 2007, and (2) to analyze volume-outcome effects.

Loss of PTEN is not associated with poor survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients of the temozolomide era.

Introduction: Pre-temozolomide studies demonstrated that loss of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN held independent prognostic significance in GBM patients. We investigated whether loss of PTEN predicted shorter survival in the temozolomide era. The role of PTEN in the PI3K/Akt pathway is also reviewed.

Predictors of inpatient complications and outcomes following surgical resection of hypothalamic hamartomas.

Background: Our aim was to identify the preoperative factors associated with a greater risk of poor inpatient outcomes in those undergoing resection of hypothalamic hamartomas.

Methods: We performed a multi-institutional retrospective cohort analysis via the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1998 - 2007). Patients of any age who underwent resection of hypothalamic hamartomas were identified by ICD-9 coding.

The miR-17-92 microRNA polycistron regulates MLL leukemia stem cell potential by modulating p21 expression.

Despite advances in defining the critical molecular determinants for leukemia stem cell (LSC) generation and maintenance, little is known about the roles of microRNAs in LSC biology. Here, we identify microRNAs that are differentially expressed in LSC-enriched cell fractions (c-kit(+)) in a mouse model of MLL leukemia. Members of the miR-17 family were notably more abundant in LSCs compared with their normal counterpart granulocyte-macrophage progenitors and myeloblast precursors.