Linear Scalp Incision in Brain Tumor Surgery: Intraoperative and Postoperative Considerations.

Background: Although the linear scalp incision is commonly used in neurosurgical practice, a systematic study elucidating its pros and cons in a specific surgical setting is lacking. Herein, we analyzed our experience with linear scalp incision in brain tumor surgery and the impact on intraoperative variables and postoperative complications.

Methods: Patients undergoing brain tumor surgery (January 2014-December 2021) at 2 neurosurgical departments were included and divided into 2 groups: linear or flap scalp incision.

Intracranial Meningiomas in Patients Aged ≥80 Years: Pathological Features and Surgical Problems.

Background: Patients aged >80 years frequently have intracranial meningiomas. In the present study, we have discussed the pathological features, comorbidities, and surgical complications for this age group from a surgical series and literature review.

Methods: In the present study, we reviewed a surgical series of 354 intracranial meningiomas and compared the oldest age group (age, ≥80 years) of 17 patients with 73 patients aged 70-79 years and 264 patients aged <70 years.

Acute sleep deprivation disrupts emotion, cognition, inflammation, and cortisol in young healthy adults.

Chronic sleep deprivation has been demonstrated to diminish cognitive performance, alter mood states, and concomitantly dysregulate inflammation and stress hormones. At present, however, there is little understanding of how an acute sleep deprivation may collectively affect these factors and alter functioning. The present study aimed to determine the extent to which 24-h of sleep deprivation influences inflammatory cytokines, stress hormones, cognitive processing across domains, and emotion states.

Molecular alterations in the integrated diagnosis of pediatric glial and glioneuronal tumors: A single center experience.

Objectives: Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common pediatric solid tumors, where low grade (LGG) and high grade gliomas (HGG) represent up to 55% of CNS tumors. Current molecular classification of these tumors results in a more accurate diagnosis and risk stratification, which ultimately enables individualized treatment strategies. Identifying known alterations is a suitable approach, particularly in developing countries, where NGS approaches are not easily accessible.

Comprehensive Evolutionary Analysis of Complete Epstein-Barr Virus Genomes from Argentina and Other Geographies.

The sequence variability of the Epstein-Barr virus has been extensively studied throughout previous years in isolates from various geographic regions and consequent variations at both genetic and genomic levels have been described. However, isolates from South America were underrepresented in these studies. Here, we sequenced 15 complete EBV genomes that we analyzed together with publicly available raw NGS data for 199 EBV isolates from other parts of the globe by means of a custom-built bioinformatic pipeline.

Existence of a Neutral-Impact Maxillo-Mandibular Displacement on Upper Airways Morphology.

Current scientific evidence on how orthognathic surgery affects the airways morphology remains contradictory. The aim of this study is to investigate the existence and extension of a neutral-impact interval of bony segments displacement on the upper airways morphology. Its upper boundary would behave as a skeletal displacement threshold differentiating minor and major jaw repositioning, with impact on the planning of the individual case.

LMA® Gastro™ Airway for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a retrospective observational analysis.

Background: Various airway techniques have been employed for endoscopic procedures, with an aim to optimise patient outcomes by improving airway control and preventing hypoxia whilst avoiding the need for intubation. The LMA® Gastro™ Airway, a novel dual channel supraglottic airway technique, has been described as such a device. Its utility alongside sedation with low flow nasal cannula and general anaesthesia (GA) with intubation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures was evaluated.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics links inflammation and cardiac contractility in endotoxemia.

There is current awareness about the central role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of cardiac dysfunction in systemic inflammatory syndromes, especially in sepsis and endotoxemia. The aim of this work was to elucidate the mechanism that governs the link between the severity of the systemic inflammatory insult and mitochondrial function, analysing the consequences on heart function, particularly in cardiac contractile state. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to low-grade endotoxemia (i.

Overexpression of survivin in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells: Characterization of protein expression and splice-variants transcription profile.

Survivin is abundantly expressed during fetal development but absent in most differentiated adult tissues; an exception being components of the immune system, such as B and T lymphocytes. Beyond acting as a master regulator of the cell cycle, survivin acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis and is overexpressed in almost all carcinoma types; however, its expression in lymphomas is lesser-explored. Survivin's role in carcinogenesis was subjected to its sub-cellular localization and splice transcripts expression, namely wild-type survivin, survivin-∆Ex3 and survivin-2B.

Sequence Variation of Epstein-Barr Virus: Viral Types, Geography, Codon Usage, and Diseases.

One hundred thirty-eight new Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome sequences have been determined. One hundred twenty-five of these and 116 from previous reports were combined to produce a multiple-sequence alignment of 241 EBV genomes, which we have used to analyze variation within the viral genome. The type 1/type 2 classification of EBV remains the major form of variation and is defined mostly by EBNA2 and EBNA3, but the type 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the EBNA3 locus extend into the adjacent gp350 and gp42 genes, whose products mediate infection of B cells by EBV.

Recombination rates along the entire Epstein Barr virus genome display a highly heterogeneous landscape.

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) has a large DNA genome assumed to be stable, but also subject to mutational processes such as nucleotide substitution and recombination, the latter explored to a lesser extent. Moreover, differences in the extent of recombination events across herpes sub-families were recently reported. Given the relevance of recombination in viral evolution and its possible impact in pathogenesis, we aimed to fully characterize and quantify its extension in all available EBV complete genome by assessing global and local recombination rate values (⍴/bp).

Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism associates with affect and cortisol levels in women.

Introduction: We tested the extent to which the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with affective state and evening cortisol levels. We limited our study to women as previous research suggests that the link between COMT genotype and psychological health is entangled by sex differences.

Materials And Methods: The participants were assessed on measures of anxiety, mood disturbance, depressive symptomatology, and perceived stress.

A Retrospective Tomographic and Histologic Analysis of Horizontal Bone Augmentation in Maxillary Atrophic Ridges Using Resorbable Membrane with Anorganic Bovine Bone-Derived Mineral and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors.

A total of six patients treated from 2010 to 2014, having a knife-edge ridge (Cawood-Howell Class IV resorbed ridges) and requiring an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, were selected. Tomographic measurement of the edentulous ridges was performed before grafting and after implant placement. At 6 months postgraft, a total of 41 implants had been inserted, 17 in the posterior region, 12 in the central region, and 12 in the anterior region.

A novel recombinant variant of latent membrane protein 1 from Epstein Barr virus in Argentina denotes phylogeographical association.

Aim: To study LMP1 variants distribution among children with EBV+ malignant and benign conditions as well as in healthy carriers.

Methods: Oral secretions and blood cells from 31 children with IM, and biopsies from 14 EBV+ reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and 33 EBV+ lymphomas were included. LMP1 was amplified by nested PCR and sequenced.

Characterisation of food contact non-stick coatings containing TiO nanoparticles and study of their possible release into food.

Novel nanoparticles containing non-stick coatings have been developed for food contact applications such as frying pans. Possible release of nanoparticles from such coatings into food is not known. In this paper, the characterisation of commercially available non-stick coatings was performed by use of FTIR, electron and optical microscopy, EDXS and XRD analysis.

Electrokinetic Properties of TiO2 Nanotubular Surfaces.

Surface charge is one of the most significant properties for the characterisation of a biomaterial, being a key parameter in the interaction of the body implant with the surrounding living tissues. The present study concerns the systematic assessment of the surface charge of electrochemically anodized TiO2 nanotubular surfaces, proposed as coating material for Ti body implants. Biologically relevant electrolytes (NaCl, PBS, cell medium) were chosen to simulate the physiological conditions.

Surface properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 coatings in relation to the in vitro plasma protein adsorption.

This study reports on the selective adsorption of whole plasma proteins on hydrothermally (HT) grown TiO2-anatase coatings and its dependence on the three main surface properties: surface charge, wettability and roughness. The influence of the photo-activation of TiO2 by UV irradiation was also evaluated. Even though the protein adhesion onto Ti-based substrates was only moderate, better adsorption of any protein (at pH = 7.

Electrokinetic behaviour of porous TiO2-coated implants.

It is known that the "race for the surface" determining the in vivo response is strictly connected to the physico-chemical properties of the material, especially at its surface. Accordingly, the study of surface roughness, charge and wettability is fundamental to predict the bio-response to the implant. In this work, streaming potential was chosen as a reliable method to quantify the solid surface charge of hydrothermally treated (HT) TiO2-anatase nano-crystalline coatings, grown on titanium substrates.

Wettability studies of topologically distinct titanium surfaces.

Biomedical implants made of titanium-based materials are expected to have certain essential features including high bone-to-implant contact and optimum osteointegration, which are often influenced by the surface topography and physicochemical properties of titanium surfaces. The surface structure in the nanoscale regime is presumed to alter/facilitate the protein binding, cell adhesion and proliferation, thereby reducing post-operative complications with increased lifespan of biomedical implants. The novelty of our TiO2 nanostructures lies mainly in the high level control over their morphology and roughness by mere compositional change and optimisation of the experimental parameters.

Enhanced osteogenesis on titanium implants by UVB photofunctionalization of hydrothermally grown TiO₂ coatings.

Even though Ti-based implants are the most used materials for hard tissue replacement, they may present lack of osseointegration on the long term, due to their inertness. Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is a useful technique for the synthesis of firmly attached, highly crystalline coatings made of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2), providing favorable nanoroughness and higher exposed surface area, as well as greater hydrophilicity, compared to the native amorphous oxide on pristine titanium. The hydrophilicity drops even more by photofunctionalization of the nanostructured TiO2-anatase coatings under UV light.

Cavernous sinus lesions biopsy with neuronavigation and tip-cut needle.

Background: Transoval biopsy of cavernous sinus (CS) lesions is the last non-invasive diagnostic option in those 15% of patients in whom etiology remains unclear in spite of extensive neuroradiological imaging, clinical assessment, and laboratory evaluation. However, there are no guidelines defining indications and the most appropriate technique for this procedure.

Case Description: We present four patients in whom we performed X-ray and neuronavigation-assisted transoval CS biopsies using tip-cut needles.

The influence of surface modification on bacterial adhesion to titanium-based substrates.

This study examines bacterial adhesion on titanium-substrates used for bone implants. Adhesion is the most critical phase of bacterial colonization on medical devices. The surface of titanium was modified by hydrothermal treatment (HT) to synthesize nanostructured TiO2-anatase coatings, which were previously proven to improve corrosion resistance, affect the plasma protein adsorption, and enhance osteogenesis.

Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 gene polymorphisms: malignancy related or geographically distributed variants?

The ubiquitous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is related to the development of several lymphoid and epithelial malignancies and is also the aetiological agent for infectious mononucleosis (IM). BZLF1, an immediate early gene, plays a key role in modulating the switch from latency to lytic replication, hence enabling viral propagation. Polymorphic variations in the coded protein have been studied in other geographical regions in a search for viral factors that are inherent to malignancies and differ from those present in benign infections.

Photoinduced properties of nanocrystalline TiO2-anatase coating on Ti-based bone implants.

The paper reports on the photoinduced properties of hydrothermally treated (HT) titanium used for bone implants. The anatase coatings composed of 30-100nm anatase crystals exhibited high photocatalytic activity and good photo-induced wettability, reaching a superhydrophilic state, despite the larger crystal dimensions than the previously reported optimal ones. These properties are due to a suitable combination of surface texture, roughness, thickness, crystal morphology and particle size, which allowed the two independent photo-induced phenomena to occur simultaneously.