A guide to interpreting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in neurosurgery and surgery.

Introduction: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are methods of data analysis used to synthesize information presented in multiple publications on the same topic. A thorough understanding of the steps involved in conducting this type of research and approaches to data analysis is critical for appropriate understanding, interpretation, and application of the findings of these reviews.

Methods: We reviewed reference texts in clinical neuroepidemiology, neurostatistics and research methods and other previously related articles on meta-analyses (MAs) in surgery.

Global Neurosurgery at the 76th World Health Assembly (2023): First Neurosurgery-Driven Resolution Calls for Micronutrient Fortification to Prevent Spina Bifida.

Since 2018, a neurosurgery delegation has been actively engaged and consistently present at the World Health Assembly. Recognizing the growing impact of neurosurgical diseases, the neurosurgery delegation participated in the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, advocating for timely, safe, and affordable global neurosurgical care. The delegation focused on forging new collaborations, strengthening the World Health Organization-World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies official relations, and actively supporting resolutions that impact the neurosurgical patients.

Do neurosurgeons follow the guidelines? A world-based survey on severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is going to be the third-leading cause of death worldwide, according to the WHO. Two European surveys suggested that adherence to brain trauma guidelines is poor. No study has compared compliance between low- (LMICs) and high-income (UHICs) countries.

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Africa has many untreated neurosurgical cases due to limited access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this study, we surveyed young African neurosurgeons and trainees to identify challenges to training and practice. African trainees and residents were surveyed online by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum from April 25th to November 30th, 2018.

Silica-coated calcium pectinate formulations for controlling carbendazim release: water and soil release studies.

This study aims to encapsulate the fungicide carbendazim using a biodegradable polymer (pectin). First, we have obtained calcium pectinate beads (CPG-Carb) by ionotropic gelation using calcium ions as a crosslinking agent. These beads were then coated with silica starting from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), by a sol-gel process to form hybrid beads (CPG-Carb-SG).

History of African women in neurosurgery.

The number of women in the medical field has increased in Africa over the last few decades, yet the underrepresentation of women within neurosurgery has been a recurrent theme. Of all surgical disciplines, neurosurgery is among the least equitable, and the rate of increase in female surgeons lags behind other surgical disciplines such as general surgery. This historical review provides an overview of the history of women in neurosurgery and their current status on the African continent.

Women in Neurosurgery (WIN): Barriers to Progress, World WIN Directory and the Way Forward.

Women in Neurosurgery (WIN) have come a long way and are making inroads in every neurosurgical subspecialty. There has been a worldwide increase in the number of female neurosurgeons both in the training and practice. Although this is a welcome trend, gender equality at work in terms of opportunities, promotions, and pay scales are yet to be attained.

Lateral flow immunogold assay as a rapid detection tool for screening of congenital hypothyroidism.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation. The majority of infants are diagnosed after detection through newborn screening programs using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test. A rapid immunochromatographic lateral flow assay based on monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) colloidal gold nanoparticles was developed in a sandwich format for the detection of TSH.

Molecular docking analysis of α2-containing GABAA receptors with benzimidazoles derivatives.

It is of interest to study the binding capacity of "3-[2-(2-Amino-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)ethyl]-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one" (OXB2) with the active site of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) located in the GABA type A receptor (GABAAR) in comparison with different GABAA subtypes. Optimal binding features were observed with the α2β2γ2 isoform (-8 kcal/mol). This is similar (-7.

COVID-19 and SARS-Cov-2 Infection: Pathophysiology and Clinical Effects on the Nervous System.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-Cov-2, resulting in severe acute respiratory syndrome, with high potential of spreading and infecting humans worldwide. Since December 2019, when the virus was identified in humans, the literature on COVID-19 has grown exponentially and extrarespiratory symptoms including neurologic symptoms are increasingly highlighted.

Methods: Given the high and increasing number of publications reporting neurologic involvements of SARS-Cov-2, we thought that providing an update for neurologic complications of COVID-19 would be useful for physicians and especially young trainees in neurology and neurosurgery.

The impact of African-trained neurosurgeons on sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) represents 17% of the world's land, 14% of the population, and 1% of the gross domestic product. Previous reports have indicated that 81/500 African neurosurgeons (16.2%) worked in SSA-i.

Persistence of a trigeminal artery associated with a posterior meningeal artery aneurysm: case report and literature review.

A 59-year-old female presented with severe headache and trouble of consciousness. The CT showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage FISHER IV with a hematoma of the right cerebellum. The angiography discovered a persistent left trigeminal artery associated with an aneurysm of the right posterior meningeal artery.

Rare case of giant pediatric cavernous angioma of the temporal lobe: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Giant cavernous malformations of the central nervous system are quite rare. They are more common in children and may be misdiagnosed as other intracranial neoplasms. Here, we presented a very rare giant cavernous angioma mimicking a neoplastic temporal lobe lesion in an 18-month-old male.

[Pituitary sarcoidosis mimicking pituitary adenoma: case report and literature review].

Isolated involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with sarcoidosis is rare. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report the clinical case of a 50-years old female patient who had undergone total thyroidectomy followed by replacement therapy because of goitre 4 years before.

Georgette Kidess, the First Female Neurosurgeon in Palestine.

Objective: The aim of this study is to detail the background, training, and career of Dr. Georgette Kidess, the first and still the only female neurosurgeon in Palestine. In addition, we mention the obstacles that women face during their neurosurgical career and how to overcome them.

Deep Brain Stimulation in Moroccan Patients With Parkinson's Disease: The Experience of Neurology Department of Rabat.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is known as a therapy of choice of advanced Parkinson's disease. The present study aimed to assess the beneficial and side effects of STN DBS in Moroccan Parkinsonian patients. Thirty five patients underwent bilateral STN DBS from 2008 to 2016 in the Rabat University Hospital.

Effect of Melatonin Implants during the Non-Breeding Season on the Onset of Ovarian Activity and the Plasma Prolactin in Dromedary Camel.

To examine a possible control of reproductive seasonality by melatonin, continual-release subcutaneous melatonin implants were inserted 4.5 months before the natural breeding season (October-April) into female camels (Melatonin-treated group). The animals were exposed to an artificial long photoperiod (16L:8D) for 41 days prior to implant placement to facilitate receptivity to the short-day signal that is expected with melatonin implants.

Rare case of conus medullaris glioblastoma multiforme in a teenager.

Background: Primary intramedullary spinal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) lesions are very rare comprising only 1.5% of all spinal cord tumors. These lesions typically result in rapid neurological deterioration and are associated with a very poor prognosis.

Unusual coexistence of an epidermoid cyst with an atypical meningioma: Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Coexistence of multiple primary intracranial tumors of different cell types has rarely been documented; the association of a meningioma and a glioma has been reported as the most common combination. Hereby, we report an unusual case of a temporal epidermoid cyst coexisting with an atypical meningioma.

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old male presented with progressive symptoms of raised intracranial progression with progressive loss of vision without any neurological deficit.

Pineal epidermoid cyst: case report and review of the literature.

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are one of the rare tumors of all intracranial tumors. They represent 0,2 to 1% of intracranial tumors and 7% of tumors in the cerebellopontine angle. The pineal region is exceptionally subject to such kind of tumor.