Significant Systemic Insulin Resistance is Associated With Unique Glioblastoma Multiforme Phenotype.

Background: Some glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are characterized by the presence of gemistocytes (GCs), a unique phenotype of reactive astrocytes. Certain GCs can be identified as neoplastic cells but these cells were also found to be associated with diabetes in non-neoplastic lesions of the central nervous system. Our aim was to find a correlation between insulin - resistance metabolic features and the presence of GCs in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression in Patients Older Than 75 Years of Age: Perioperative Risks, Complications, and Clinical Outcomes Compared with Patients Younger Than 45 Years of Age.

Objective: Minimally invasive spinal decompression for the treatment of spinal stenosis or disk herniation is often indicated if conservative management fails. However, the influence of old age on the risk of postoperative complications and clinical outcome is not well understood. We therefore sought to compare complication rates and outcomes after minimally invasive surgery decompression and discectomy in elderly patients with a cohort of younger patients undergoing similar procedures.