Assessing the Theoretical Efficacy of Combination Therapy Against Gram-Negative Infections in Neutropenic Pediatric Cancer Patients: Insights from the Statistical Analysis of Survey Data.

: Empirical antibacterial therapy for febrile neutropenia reduces mortality due to Gram-negative blood stream infections (BSIs). Pediatric guidelines recommend monotherapy with an antipseudomonal beta-lactam or a carbapenem and to add a second anti-Gram-negative agent in selected situations. We evaluated the changes in the proportions of resistance of beta-lactam monotherapies vs.

A topographic approach to the markers of macrophage/microglia and other cell types in high grade glioma.

In glioblastoma, glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) represent the major population of tumor infiltrating cells, with up to one half of the cells of the tumor mass. Recent studies have shown that microglia are involved in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and protection against autoimmunity. However, despite the growing body of evidence on the topic, many aspects are yet to be clarified.

Full-Spectrum Photography in Cadaveric Surgical Neuroanatomy: Anatomical Nuances Beyond the Naked Eye.

Background: Anatomical dissection is a fundamental part of surgical education, but it can be challenging to visualize the subtle details of anatomy. Full-spectrum photography (FSP) is a technique that uses cameras that can capture light in a wider range of wavelengths compared to traditional cameras. This technical laboratory note introduces a method using noncontrast-dependent FSP to improve the visualization of neuroanatomical structures during cadaveric dissection for surgical neuroanatomy.

Glioblastoma invasion patterns from a clinical perspective-a systematic review.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Despite advances in treatment, mechanisms underlying GBM invasion remain incompletely understood. This systematic review synthesizes findings from laboratory and clinical studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving GBM invasion and their implications for prognosis and therapy.

[Activity of sacituzumab govitecan in skin metastases: description of a case.].

Advanced triple-negative breast cancer is characterized by a severe prognosis, poor response to conventional therapies and poses multiple challenges for the medical oncologist. However, recent developments in molecular research and targeted therapy are opening up new perspectives with encouraging results for the treatment of this aggressive disease. The shared case wants to be an example: we will discuss the story of a 54 years old woman with extensive metastatic localizations in the skin that has obtained an important clinical response to therapy with sacituzumab govitecan, a conjugate antibody approved for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

"False friends" in Language Subcortical Mapping: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Subcortical brain mapping in awake glioma surgery might optimize the extent of resection while minimizing neurological morbidity, but it requires a correct interpretation of responses evoked during surgery. To define, with a systematic review: 1) a comprehensive 'map' of the principal white matter bundles involved in awake surgery on language-related networks, describing the most employed tests and the expected responses; 2) In linguistics, a false friend is a word in a different language that looks or sounds like a word in given language but differs significantly in meaning. Similarly, our aim is to give the surgeons a comprehensive review of potentially misleading responses, namely "false friends", in subcortical language mapping.

Diffusion tensor imaging in detecting gliomas sub-regions of infiltration, local and remote recurrences: a systematic review.

Given that glioma cells tend to infiltrate and migrate along WM tracts, leading to demyelination and axonal injuries, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) emerged as a promising tool for identifying major "high-risk areas" of recurrence within the peritumoral brain zone (PBZ) or at a distance throughout the adjacents white matter tracts. Of our systematic review is to answer the following research question: In patients with brain tumor, is DTI able to recognizes within the peri-tumoral brain zone (PBZ) areas more prone to local (near the surgical cavity) or remote recurrence compared to the conventional imaging techniques?. We conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify relevant studies in line with the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines.

A systematic review on the efficacy of adjunctive surgical strategies during microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia without intraoperative evidence of neurovascular conflict.

Aim of the present study was to conduct a comprehensive review of surgical strategies that can be offered to patients with trigeminal neuralgia undergoing microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery and without intraoperative evidence of neurovascular conflict, with a high pre-operative suspicion of conflict lacking intraoperative confirmation, or individuals experiencing recurrence after previous treatment. This systematic review followed established guidelines (PRISMA) to identify and critically appraise relevant studies. The review question was formulated according to the PICO (P: patients; I: intervention; C: comparison; O: outcomes) framework as follows.

Predicting Role of GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: a preliminary study to evaluate in the short-term their correlation with severity of bleeding and prognosis.

Background: Spontaneous non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH) is a severe brain vascular accident. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) can be theoretically assayed to predict a patient's progression, picturing different aspects of clinical failure after sSAH. The study aims to: a) explore the correlation between sSAH blood volume and biomarkers variation; b) evaluate if these can be predictive of the neurogenic response after sSAH and be prognostic of patient outcome; c) establish eventual threshold levels of biomarkers to define patients' clinical outcome.

H3-Altered Diffuse Glioma of the Spinal Cord in Adult Patients: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Peculiarity of Radiological Findings.

Primary spinal cord diffuse gliomas (SpDG) are rare tumors that may harbor, like diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), H3 mutations. According to the WHO (2021), SpDGs are included in diffuse midline H3K27-altered gliomas, which occur more frequently in adults and show unusual clinical presentation, neuroradiological features, and clinical behavior, which differ from H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric glioma. Currently, homogeneous adult-only case series of SpDG, with complete data and adequate follow-up, are still lacking.

Stereoscopic Monitoring Technique for Motor Area Tumors.

Background: The balance between comprehensive intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) for both upper and lower limbs while ensuring the reliability of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) is paramount in motor area surgery. It is commonly difficult to obtain good simultaneous stimulation of both upper and lower limbs. A series of factors can bias MEP accuracy, and inappropriate stimulation intensity can result in unreliable monitoring.

Case report: EBV-related eye orbits and sinuses lymphohistiocytic infiltration responsive to rituximab in a patient with X lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1.

Background And Aims: X lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 (XLP1) is a rare inborn error of immunity due to mutations of , encoding for slam-associated protein (SAP). The clinical phenotype includes severe mononucleosis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and B-cell lymphomas.

Methods: We report the case of a child affected with XLP1 who presented with an incomplete HLH, triggered by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and treated with rituximab, involving orbits and paranasal sinuses.

Navigating Complexity: A Comprehensive Approach to Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms.

The concept of aneurysm "complexity" has undergone significant changes in recent years, with advancements in endovascular treatments. However, surgical clipping remains a relevant option for middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Hence, the classical criteria used to define surgically complex MCA aneurysms require updating.

Do Minimally Invasive Approaches to Pediatric Orbital Tumors Provide an Advantage on Outcome and Efficiency?

Objective: The present study evaluated whether minimally invasive approaches to orbital lesions could improve surgical, clinical, and aesthetic outcomes compared with more invasive ones. This is the first study specifically addressing this topic in children.

Methods: Children consecutively operated on from January 2010 to January 2020 were analyzed.

Healthcare migration in Italian paediatric haematology-oncology centres belonging to AIEOP.

Background: In Italy, there is a network of centres headed by the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) for the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric cancers on almost the entire national territory. Nevertheless, migration of patients in a hospital located in a region different from that of residence is a widespread habit, sometimes motivated by several reasons. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of migration of children with cancer to AIEOP centres in order to verify their optimal distribution throughout the national territory.

miR-1202 acts as anti-oncomiR in myeloid leukaemia by down-modulating GATA-1 expression.

Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) is a Down syndrome-related pre-leukaemic condition characterized by somatic mutations in the haematopoietic transcription factor GATA-1 that result in exclusive production of its shorter isoform (GATA-1). Given the common hallmark of altered miRNA expression profiles in haematological malignancies and the pro-leukaemic role of GATA-1, we aimed to search for miRNAs potentially able to modulate the expression of GATA-1 isoforms. Starting from an prediction of miRNA binding sites in the GATA-1 transcript, miR-1202 came into our sight as potential regulator of GATA-1 expression.

Reducing the Gap in Neurosurgical Education in LMICs: A Report of a Non-Profit Educational Program.

Introduction: Central to neurosurgical care, neurosurgical education is particularly needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where opportunities for neurosurgical training are limited due to social and economic constraints and an inadequate workforce. The present paper aims (1) to evaluate the validity and usability of a cadaver-free hybrid system in the context of LMICs and (2) to report their learning needs and whether the courses meet those needs via a comprehensive survey.

Methods: From April to November 2021, a non-profit initiative consisting of a series of innovative cadaver-free courses based on virtual and practical training was organized.

Predictive value of intraoperative vagus nerve corticobulbar motor evoked potentials to assess the risk of dysphagia in fourth ventricle surgery.

Objective: Dysphagia is a significant complication in fourth ventricle surgery. Corticobulbar motor evoked potentials (CB-MEPs) of the lower cranial nerves may provide real-time information possibly correlating with postoperative swallowing dysfunction, and the vagus nerves may prove ideal for this purpose. However, the literature is heterogeneous, non-systematic, and inconclusive on this topic.

High-grade transformation of a polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) represents the second most widespread neoplasm of the minor salivary glands. These tumors rarely develop a histological progression from low-grade to high-grade malignancy, named "high-grade transformation" (HGT). Only nine cases are described in literature.