Quality of Life and Clinical Features of Long-Term Survivors Surgically Treated for Pediatric Craniopharyngioma.

Objective: Several studies have reported treatment methods and results for pediatric craniopharyngiomas; however, few have evaluated patients' quality of life (QOL) after long-term follow-up. To evaluate treatment options, we assessed the QOL of patients with pediatric craniopharyngioma approximately 19 years after surgery and analyzed factors affecting QOL.

Methods: Twenty-six survivors who underwent resection of craniopharyngiomas at <15 years of age enrolled in this study and their physical condition was assessed.

13C MR imaging of methionine-rich gliomas at 4.7T: a pilot study.

We explored the feasibility of using carbon-13 ((13)C) magnetic resonance imaging ((13)C-MRI) to depict (13)C-labeled methionine-enriched gliomas at 4.7 tesla. We transplanted 2 types of glioma cells separately to 2 subcutaneous tissue sites on the backs of mice weighing 15 to 20 g.

Inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation reduces cell growth and proliferation in primary central nervous system lymphoma cells.

The mRNA cap-binding protein eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) plays an important role in mRNA translation; its activity is implicated in cell growth and proliferation. In experimental models, eIF4E over-expression induces cellular transformation, tumorigenesis, and lymphomagenesis. The activity of eIF4E is regulated by the Akt/mTOR and MAPK/MAP kinase-interacting kinase-1 (MNK1) pathways.

Humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody suppresses tumor angiogenesis and in vivo growth of human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The biological effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and whether IL-6 receptor (IL-6R)-mediated signaling can be a therapeutic target for OSCC are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhibition of IL-6R-mediated signaling on OSCC progression and to evaluate the availability of tocilizumab, a humanized antihuman IL-6R antibody, as a therapeutic agent for OSCC.

Experimental Design: We evaluated expression levels of IL-6 and IL-6R in 58 OSCC tissues and 4 OSCC cell lines by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and/or immunohistochemstry.

Aberrant expression of serum amyloid A in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase reactant, the blood level of which is often elevated in response to some types of neoplasia. Here, we investigated expression of the gene SAA1 and the protein SAA in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and normal oral mucosal tissues as well as blood SAA levels in HNSCC patients. Also, we investigated the effects of inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling on SAA1 expression in the HNSCC cell line SAS.

Antitumor effect of humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) on glioma cell proliferation. Laboratory investigation.

Object: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse physiological functions, including cell proliferation and survival. Recent studies have shown that IL-6 expression is often elevated in response to several types of glioma. Although IL-6 is said to play an important role in glioma, the involvement of IL-6 signaling has been quite controversial.

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach through the bilateral nostrils for pituitary adenomas.

The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach through the bilateral nostrils was evaluated for the treatment of pituitary adenoma. The surgical approach is through the bilateral nostrils via minimal or wide dissection of the septal mucosa, depending on the degree of tumor extension. After anterior sphenoidotomy, the endoscope is fixed in one nostril and required instrumentation is inserted in either nostril.

Complete response to temozolomide treatment in an elderly patient with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma--case report.

An 80-year-old woman presented with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma manifesting as progressive disorientation and loss of activity. She received three cycles of high-dose methotrexate. The tumor shrank after two cycles and her mental status improved, but she suffered tumor recurrence.

Sellar repair with resorbable polyglactin acid sheet and fibrin glue in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid leakage after transsphenoidal surgery represents a serious problem. Various methods to prevent postoperative CSF leakage are available, but immediate and tight dural closure is still difficult. The efficacy of a novel sellar repair was described.

Treatment of unruptured duplicated middle cerebral artery aneurysm: case report.

Background: Duplication of the middle cerebral artery (DMCA) is an anomalous vessel arising from the internal carotid artery (ICA). The origin of the DMCA lies between the anterior choroidal artery and the distal end of the ICA. The association of cerebral aneurysm and DMCA is rare.

Complete suppression of paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia by globus pallidus internus pallidal stimulation.

Stereotactic functional surgery is being explored as potential therapies for medically intractable paroxysmal dyskinesias (PxD). We report on a 59-year-old man in whom stimulation of globus pallidus internus produced immediate and sustained relief of paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia secondary to a rotator cuff tears on the left shoulder. Our finding strongly suggests that altered function of neuronal circuits of the basal ganglia underlies the manifestation of PxD.