Publications by authors named "Mukasa A"

Indirect bypass using autologous tissue is effective in Moyamoya disease, especially among pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of indirect bypass using DuraGen (absorbable artificial dura mater composed of collagen matrix), as a substitute for autologous tissue in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Male Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion and divided into three groups: a control group without bypass surgery, a group wherein indirect bypass was performed using the temporalis muscle (encephalo-myo-synangiosis [EMS] group), and a group wherein DuraGen was used (Dura group).

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Objective: Discriminating between hemorrhage and iodine extravasation can pose challenges in conventional computed tomography (CCT) images following preoperative embolization for meningioma. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in differentiating hemorrhage from iodine extravasation after preoperative embolization for meningioma.

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive meningioma patients who underwent CCT before and DECT immediately after preoperative embolization were included in this study.

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Purpose: In the 2016 WHO Classification of Lymphoid Tissue Neoplasms, co-expression of MYC and BCL2 is newly designated as double expressor lymphoma. Patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma with double expressor (DE-PCNSL) have been reported to have a higher risk of recurrence and a worse prognosis than those with PCNSL without double expressor (non-DE-PCNSL). The aim of this study was to determine whether DE-PCNSL has characteristic clinical and MR imaging features compared to non-DE-PCNSL.

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Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare lymphoid malignancy. Systemic profiling of the PCNSL tumor microenvironment (TME) was previously conducted through gene expression analysis. We investigated the prognostic impact of TME on survival to establish novel prognostic biomarkers in PCNSL patients.

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Background: Combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor holds promise for treating gliomas harboring the V600E mutation; however, the development of acquired resistance remains a challenge.

Case Description: We describe a case of repeated recurrent mutant pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (central nervous system World Health Organization grade 3) treated with combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor. The patient received dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor); however, she developed resistance to the combination therapy.

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Background: A previous Phase II clinical trial, conducted from 1995 to 2003, evaluated CNS germ cell tumors (GCTs) using a three-group treatment stratification based on histopathology. The primary objective of the study was to assess the long-term efficacy of standardized treatment regimens, while the secondary objective focused on identifying associated long-term complications.

Methods: Total 228 patients were classified into three groups for treatment: germinoma (n=161), intermediate prognosis (n=38), and poor prognosis (n=28), excluding one mature teratoma case.

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An 81-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with left hemiplegia after treatment for herpes zoster of the first branch of the right trigeminal nerve. CSF examination revealed an elevated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody index. Brain MRI showed cerebral infarction in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory and vessel wall thickening and enhancing effects at the ipsilateral MCA.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with no effective treatments, and its tumor microenvironment is characterized as immunosuppressive, containing many glioma-associated macrophages/microglia (GAMs) that aid tumor growth and treatment resistance.
  • - The review discusses the classification and origin of GAMs, their activation mechanisms, interactions with tumor cells, and the historical and modern techniques for detecting GAMs, particularly immunohistochemistry.
  • - Recent advancements like single-cell RNA analysis provide new insights into GAMs, suggesting that therapies targeting these cells may be key to improving treatment options for GBM in the future.
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  • Human tRNA modifications at positions 16 and 17, known as D16/D17, are produced by the enzyme DUS1L, which was identified as essential for these modifications in glioblastoma cells.
  • Knocking out DUS1L leads to a loss of D16/D17 modifications and negatively impacts cell growth while its overexpression disrupts tRNA processing and translation.
  • Higher levels of DUS1L in glioma patients correlate with worse prognoses, highlighting its potential role in cancer biology and the need for further research into its functions.
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Pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) are rare, accounting for less than 0.3% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) (WHO grade 2 or 3) show an intermediate prognosis between pineocytoma and pineoblastoma.

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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by sudden, brief intense pain in the distribution of the unilateral trigeminal nerve (TGN). Neurovascular compression (NVC) of the TGN is the most common cause of TN. Recent studies have suggested that a structural anomaly of the posterior cranial fossa might be involved in the development of TN, and several studies have documented the association between NVC-related TN and congenital posterior cranial deformities in adults.

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Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) on high-spatial-resolution three-dimensional T2-weighted fast asymmetric spin-echo (HR-3D T2-FASE) imaging in the preoperative evaluation of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors.

Methods: This study included 13 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative HR-3D T2-FASE imaging using a 3 T MRI scanner. The reconstruction voxel size of HR-3D T2-FASE imaging was 0.

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The majority of low-grade isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant (IDH) gliomas undergo malignant progression (MP), but their underlying mechanism remains unclear. IDH gliomas exhibit global DNA methylation, and our previous report suggested that MP could be partly attributed to passive demethylation caused by accelerated cell cycles. However, during MP, there is also active demethylation mediated by ten-eleven translocation, such as DNA hydroxymethylation.

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  • Ependymomas are diverse tumors with specific types based on where they occur and their molecular characteristics, with spinal ependymomas (SP-EPN) being the most common type found in the spinal cord of both children and adults.
  • Research revealed limited molecular data on SP-EPN, with known genetic changes including losses on chromosome 22q and mutations in NF2, but this study aimed to fill the gaps by analyzing transcriptomic, epigenetic, genetic, and clinical data from a large cohort.
  • The study identified two subtypes of SP-EPN: subtype A, associated with known NF2 mutations and more severe disease, and subtype B, characterized by different genetic alterations and more stable NF2 expression, helping to
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  • * This study analyzed 23 patients who underwent stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) after surgery for craniopharyngiomas from 2006 to 2021, showing excellent long-term survival rates of 100% at 10 years and 85.7% at 20 years.
  • * SRT proved to be safe and effective, with high local control rates and no significant adverse effects on vision or pituitary function, suggesting that planning for SRT during surgery can lead to better patient
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  • Leptomeningeal enhancement (LME) in glioblastoma patients can indicate the spread of tumor cells, but its presence doesn't always mean the disease is untreatable, particularly given some cases where LME disappears post-surgery.
  • In a study of glioblastoma patients with preoperative LME, 8% showed LME at the brainstem, with larger tumor size linked to its presence and a trend toward significance for deep tumor location.
  • Post-surgery, four out of six patients had significant LME disappearance, suggesting that LME might stem from different factors like impaired blood flow rather than leptomeningeal dissemination, potentially leading to better prognosis than expected.
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Chordoma is a rare tumor that arises from chordal tissue during fetal life. Recently, the concept of poorly differentiated chordoma, a subtype of chordoma characterized by loss of / with a poorer prognosis than conventional chordomas, was established. It predominantly occurs in children and is rare in adults.

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Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of super-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (SR-DLR), which uses k-space properties, on image quality of intracranial time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3 T.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 35 patients who underwent intracranial TOF-MRA using a 3-T MRI system with SR-DLR based on k-space properties in October and November 2022. We reconstructed MRA with SR-DLR (matrix = 1008 × 1008) and MRA without SR-DLR (matrix = 336 × 336).

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Background And Objectives: The choice between inhalational and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in revascularization surgery for Moyamoya disease (MMD) remains a topic of debate. Anesthesia methods have changed with the advent of new anesthetics. This study investigated whether modern anesthesia methods affected the development of neurological symptoms after revascularization surgery for MMD.

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Article Synopsis
  • Radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are the main treatments for localized prostate cancer, but can lead to issues like urinary and sexual dysfunction or severe side effects.
  • Focal therapy has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative that targets clinically significant prostate cancer while preserving functions crucial for patients’ quality of life, with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) showing promise as an effective technique.
  • Transurethral high-intensity directional ultrasound (HIDU) may also become a viable treatment option, but more research is needed to establish effective strategies and outcomes for these ultrasound therapies in larger patient populations.
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  • CYLD dysfunction due to its downregulation is linked to worsened outcomes in glioblastoma (GBM) patients, as there are currently no effective treatments for this condition.
  • The study found that knocking down CYLD in GBM cells led to increased tumor characteristics, such as growth and spread, alongside the formation of cancer stem-like cells.
  • Analysis revealed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was significantly activated by CYLD downregulation, and using a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor could counteract the malignant traits induced by CYLD loss, suggesting it may be a potential treatment target for CYLD-negative GBM patients.
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We have previously reported that 12p gain may predict the presence of malignant components and poor prognosis for CNS germ cell tumor (GCT). Recently, 3p25.3 gain was identified as an independent predictor of poor prognosis for testicular GCT.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of super-resolution deep learning-based reconstruction (SR-DLR), which utilizes k-space data, on the quality of images and the quantitation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for diffusion-weighted images (DWI) in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 34 patients who had undergone DWI using a 3 T MRI system with SR-DLR reconstruction based on k-space data in August 2022. DWI was reconstructed with SR-DLR (Matrix = 684 × 684) and without SR-DLR (Matrix = 228 × 228).

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  • * Data was collected from 20 patients treated between April 2022 and April 2023, with 11 patients using the new catheter system and a success rate of 90.9%, showing no complications like radial artery occlusion.
  • * Key anatomical factors such as the entry angle of the target vessel and the diameter of the proximal parent artery were found to be crucial for selecting suitable patients, enhancing the effectiveness of the aneurysm treatment.
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