Assessment of the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic procedures for intracranial pathologies: A single-centre retrospective study with 318 intracranial endoscopic procedures.

Introduction: Neuroendoscopy has become a well-established procedure for treating various intracranial conditions.

Research Question: We evaluated the advantages of that technique, with focus on adverse events.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis included all patients who underwent neuroendoscopic procedures between January 2017 and December 2023.

Perspective: Pathological transdifferentiation-a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation.

Pathological transdifferentiation, where differentiated cells aberrantly transform into other cell types that exacerbate disease rather than promote healing, represents a novel and significant concept. This perspective discusses its role and potential targeting in cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation. Current therapies mainly focus on mitigating early inflammatory response through proinflammatory cytokines and pathways targeting, including corticosteroids, TNF-α inhibitors, IL-1β monoclonal antibodies and blockers, IL-6 blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), along with modulating innate immune memory (trained immunity).

Comparative analysis of 333 proGAV® and proGAV 2.0® adjustable valves in pediatric hydrocephalus treatment: survival and complication rate assessment.

Objective: ProGAV and ProGAV2.0 adjustable valves are extensively used for treating hydrocephalus in pediatric patients. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparison between these two valves concerning their survival and complication rates.

Impact of Initial Surgical Interventions on Empyema Outcomes: Insights From a Cohort Study in Yemen.

Purpose The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different initial interventions, including thoracostomy drain tubes, open thoracotomy with decortication, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thoracoscopy in the management of empyema. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted at two teaching hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen, over a two-year period from 2022 to 2024. The study included 40 patients diagnosed with empyema, categorized according to the type of initial intervention received.

Decoding pediatric spinal tumors: a single-center retrospective case series on etiology, presentation, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes.

Introduction: Spinal tumors (ST) often result in dire prognosis, carrying risks such as permanent paralysis, sensory loss, and sphincter dysfunction. Data on their incidence and etiology in pediatric populations are markedly scant. Our study investigates the etiology, clinical manifestation, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric ST.

Audit of antimicrobial stewardship in medical inpatients in Waikato, New Zealand 2021.

Aims: Given the threat of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), 10 audit standards were selected to audit antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in secondary care to assess guideline adherence and establish quality improvement initiatives in antimicrobial prescribing.

Methods: Patients were included if they received intravenous (IV) antibiotics across seven medical wards in Waikato or Thames hospitals, New Zealand, in November 2021. Audit standards were defined from the regional antimicrobial prescribing policy and adult antimicrobial guidelines.

Heidelberg ETV score to assess success of ETV in patients with occlusive hydrocephalus: a retrospective single-center study.

In aqueduct stenosis, pressure difference below and above level of obstruction leads to bulging of third ventricular floor (TVF) and lamina terminalis (LT). Endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV) is the standard treatment in these patients. We tried to assess success of ETV depending on those two radiological changes in aqueduct stenosis.

Programmable (proSA®) vs. fixed (SHUNTASSISTANT®) gravitational valves in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus: a 16-year retrospective single-center comparative study with biomechanical analysis.

Purpose: In pediatric hydrocephalus (HC) treatment, programmable gravitational valves offer greater flexibility to manage overdrainage during children's growth. However, it remains unclear whether these devices provide better outcomes rather than their precursors. The study assessed the benefit from programmability of gravitational valve, i.

Anterior Access to the Cervicothoracic Junction via Partial Sternotomy: A Clinical Series Reporting on Technical Feasibility, Postoperative Morbidity, and Early Surgical Outcome.

Surgical access to the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is challenging. The aim of this study was to assess technical feasibility, early morbidity, and outcome in patients undergoing anterior access to the CTJ via partial sternotomy. Consecutive cases with CTJ pathology treated via anterior access and partial sternotomy at a single academic center from 2017 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

Intracranial arachnoid cysts: What is the appropriate surgical technique? A retrospective comparative study with 61 pediatric patients.

Objective: Symptomatic intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) should be treated either through microsurgical (MS) or endoscopic surgical (ES) fenestration. Implantation of cysto-peritoneal shunt (CPS) system is another treatment option with decreasing indication. In our study, we compared the complication and revision rates between the three operative techniques in pediatric patients.

Initial Clinical Experience and Biomechanical Analysis of a Novel Gravity Unit-Assisted Valve (M.blue) in Pediatric Patients With Hydrocephalus: A Retrospective Study With Two Years of Follow-up.

Background: Overdrainage is a widely reported complication representing common indication for shunt revision. Despite recent advances in valve design, repeated shunt revisions represent burden on healthcare systems.

Objective: To investigate the efficiency of a novel gravity unit-assisted programmable valve "M.

The biofabrication of ZnO nanoparticles using the green soft technique reduction of Zincum Gluconicum (ZNG) by extracellular mycofiltrate of Pit-L6.

Recently, biological techniques for manufacturing nanoparticles, such as employing filamentous fungi to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles, have become environmentally friendly, bio congruous, and safe. This study aimed to look for [Filamentous Blue Mold (FiBM)] in rotting citrus fruits and exploit this in the biofabrication of ZnO nanoparticles. The study isolated 39 different filamentous mold samples and used conventional and molecular diagnosis.

ACDF versus corpectomy in octogenarians with cervical epidural abscess: early complications and outcomes with 2 years of follow-up.

Purpose: Cervical spinal epidural abscess (CSEA) is a rare condition, manifesting as rapid neurological deterioration and leading to early neurological deficits. Its management remains challenging, especially in patients older than 80 years. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical course and determine morbidity and mortality rates after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus corpectomy in octogenarians with ventrally located CSEA at two levels.

Spinal Meningioma Surgery in Octogenarians: Functional Outcomes and Complications over a 2-Year Follow-Up Period.

Background and Objectives: Population aging in industrial nations has led to an increased prevalence of benign spinal tumors, such as spinal meningiomas (SMs), in the elderly. The leading symptom of SM is local pain, and the diagnosis is confirmed after acute neurological decline. However, little is known about the optimal treatment for this frail patient group.

Lumbar Decompression versus Decompression and Fusion in Octogenarians: Complications and Clinical Course With 3-Year Follow-Up.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the clinical course and complications between surgical decompression and decompression with fusion in lumbar spine patients aged ≥80 years.

Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records at a single institution was conducted between September 2005 and December 2021.

Surgical Management of Spinal Epidural Abscess in Elderly Patients: A Comparative Analysis Between Patients 65-79 Years and ≥80 Years with 3-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Recently, the incidence of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis with spinal epidural abscess (SEA) has increased. However, the most appropriate surgical management remains debatable, especially for older patients. This study aimed to compare the clinical course in older patients aged between 65 and 79 years and those 80 years or older undergoing surgery for SEA.

Ecofriendly adsorption and sensitive detection of Hg (II) by biomass-derived nitrogen-doped carbon dots: process modelling using central composite design.

In this study, luminescent bio-adsorbent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) was produced and applied for the removal and detection of Hg (II) from aqueous media. N-CDs were synthesized from oil palm empty fruit bunch carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and urea. According to several analytical techniques used, the obtained N-CDs display graphitic core with an average size of 4.

Decompression only versus fusion in octogenarians with spinal epidural abscesses: early complications, clinical and radiological outcome with 2-year follow-up.

Despite increased life expectancy due to health care quality improvements globally, pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) treatment with a spinal epidural abscess (SEA) remains challenging in patients older than 80 years. We aimed to assess octogenarians for PVO prevalence with SEA and compare after-surgery clinical outcomes of decompression and decompression and instrumentation. A retrospective review of electronic medical records at a single institution was conducted between September 2005 and December 2020.

Radiological Features in Type II Odontoid Fractures in Older Adults After High- and Low-Energy Trauma.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objectives: Although type II odontoid fractures mainly occur due to high-energy trauma (HET), the number of odontoid type II fractures after low-energy trauma (LET) in the elderly is on the rise. However, there is a paucity of conclusive evidence on the relationship between trauma mechanism and cervical spine alignment in the elderly population.

ShuntScope-Guided Versus Free-Hand Technique for Ventricular Catheter Placement: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Intraventricular Catheter Tip Position and Complication Rate.

Background:  The position of the ventricular catheter (VC) is essential for a proper function of cerebrospinal fluid diversion system. A ShuntScope-guided (SG) method might be helpful in reducing complications. The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of catheter placement and the complication and revision rates between SG and free-hand (FH) techniques.