Diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Disease in Diffuse Midline Gliomas by Detection of H3F3A K27M Mutation in Circulating Tumor DNA of Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Introduction: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) can lead to devastating symptoms such as severe pain, urinary incontinence, and tetraparesis, with limited treatment options. We determined whether detecting H3F3A K27M-mutant droplets in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) could be a biomarker for detecting LMD in DMGs.

Methods: Twenty-five CSF samples were obtained from 22 DMG patients.

Efficacy and safety of carmustine wafers, followed by radiation, temozolomide, and bevacizumab therapy, for newly diagnosed glioblastoma with maximal resection.

Background: To improve the outcome in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with maximal resection, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of implantation of carmustine wafers (CWs), radiation concomitant with temozolomide and bevacizumab, and maintenance chemotherapy with six cycles of temozolomide and bevacizumab.

Method: This prospective phase II study enrolled glioblastoma patients considered candidates for complete resection (> 90%) of a contrast-enhanced lesion. The CWs were intraoperatively implanted into the resection cavity after achieving maximal resection.

Phase II Trial of Pathology-based Tripartite Treatment Stratification for Patients with CNS Germ Cell Tumors: A Long-term Follow-up Study.

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.

Improvements in activities of daily living among patients with brain tumors are associated with age, baseline physical function, duration of rehabilitation, and tumor recurrence but not type.

Genetic testing has improved the accuracy of diagnosis of brain tumors, and treatment is now tailored to the type of brain tumor. In contrast, the factors that influence the improvement in independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) following rehabilitation have not been clarified, particularly the role of tumor type. In this retrospective cohort study of 358 participants, we analyzed changes in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) from pre-rehabilitation to post-rehabilitation provided in an acute care hospital.

Primary spinal cord gliomas: Pathologic features associated with prognosis.

Primary spinal cord gliomas are rare and are associated with high mortality. Unlike brain tumors, the clinicopathological features of spinal cord gliomas are not well defined. We analyzed clinical, histopathology, and immunohistochemical features and overall survival (OS) of 25 patients with primary spinal cord gliomas treated between 1994 and 2023 at 4 institutions.

BET bromodomain inhibition potentiates radiosensitivity in models of H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma.

Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) H3K27-altered is one of the most malignant childhood cancers. Radiation therapy remains the only effective treatment yet provides a 5-year survival rate of only 1%. Several clinical trials have attempted to enhance radiation antitumor activity using radiosensitizing agents, although none have been successful.

Clinical efficacy of tolvaptan in acute decompensated heart failure patients with severe aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation: a sub-analysis from the LOHAS registry.

Background: Severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are risk factors of hemodynamic instability in heart failure (HF) management due to low cardiac output, respectively. Therefore, the treatment of HF due to severe AS complicated with AF is anticipated to be difficult. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor inhibitor, is effective in controlling acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with hemodynamic stability.

Successful Multimodal Treatment of Intracranial Growing Teratoma Syndrome with Malignant Features.

Molecular analysis of the growing teratoma syndrome has not been extensively studied. Here, we report a 14-year-old boy with a growing mass during treatment for a mixed germ cell tumor of the pineal region. Tumor markers were negative; thus, growing teratoma syndrome was suspected.

Profile of miRNAs in small extracellular vesicles released from glioblastoma cells treated by boron neutron capture therapy.

Purpose: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a tumor cell-selective particle-radiation therapy. In BNCT, administered p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) is selectively taken up by tumor cells, and the tumor is irradiated with thermal neutrons. High-LET α-particles and recoil Li, which have a path length of 5-9 μm, are generated by the capture reaction between B and thermal neutrons and selectively kill tumor cells that have uptaken B.

Recent advances in liquid biopsy of central nervous system lymphomas: case presentations and review of the literature.

Surgical biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas. However, reliable liquid biopsy methods for diagnosing CNS lymphomas have quickly developed and have been implicated in clinical decision-making. In the current report, we introduce two patients for whom liquid biopsy was essential for diagnosing CNS lymphomas and discuss the rapidly growing applications of this technology.

Left atrial diastasis strain slope is a marker of hemodynamic recovery in post-ST elevation myocardial infarction: the Laser Atherectomy for STemi, Pci Analysis with Scintigraphy Study (LAST-PASS).

Background: Left atrial (LA) mechanics are strongly linked with left ventricular (LV) filling. The LA diastasis strain slope (LADSS), which spans between the passive and active LA emptying phases, may be a key indicator of the LA-LV interplay during diastole.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the LA-LV interdependencies in post-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with particular focus on the LADSS.

Vericiguat and transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for combined post- and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to left ventricular low ejection fraction and functional mitral regurgitation.

Unlabelled: A 66-year-old female was diagnosed with combined post- and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (47 %) and functional mitral regurgitation [mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure: 27 mmHg; pulmonary arterial pressure: 91/30 (56) mmHg; pulmonary vascular resistance: 12.9 Wood units; and cardiac index: 1.77 L/min/m].

Missense mutation of NRAS is associated with malignant progression in neurocutaneous melanosis.

Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) is a rare congenital neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by congenital melanocytic nevus of skin and abnormal proliferation of leptomeningeal melanocytes. Early acquisition of post-zygotic somatic mutations has been postulated to underlie the pathogenesis of NCM. The pathogenesis of NCM remains to be fully elucidated, and treatment options have not been established.

Reliable detection of genetic alterations in cyst fluid DNA for the diagnosis of brain tumors.

Purpose: Liquid biopsy of cyst fluid in brain tumors has not been extensively studied to date. The present study was performed to see whether diagnostic genetic alterations found in brain tumor tissue DNA could also be detected in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of cyst fluid in cystic brain tumors.

Methods: Cyst fluid was obtained from 22 patients undergoing surgery for a cystic brain tumor with confirmed genetic alterations in tumor DNA.

Multi-omics analyses of choroid plexus carcinoma cell lines reveal potential targetable pathways and alterations.

Purpose: Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPCs) are extremely rare brain tumors and carry a dismal prognosis. Treatment options are limited and there is an urgent need to develop models to further research. In the present study, we established two CPC cell lines and performed multi-omics analyses.

Preoperative interactive virtual simulation applying three-dimensional multifusion images using a haptic device for lumbosacral lipoma.

Purpose: Untethering surgery for lumbosacral lipoma is a preventive procedure, and avoidance of complications and good long-term outcomes are required. We introduced presurgical interactive virtual simulation (IVS) applying three-dimensional multifusion images using a haptic device aimed at improving operative outcomes.

Methods: Fourteen patients with newly diagnosed lumbosacral lipoma were recruited and underwent preoperative IVS.