Evaluation of differences in expression pattern of three isoforms of the transforming growth factor beta in patients with lumbosacral stenosis.

The study investigates molecular changes in the lumbosacral (L/S) spine's yellow ligamentum flavum during degenerative stenosis, focusing on the role of transforming growth factor beta 1-3 (TGF-β-1-3). Sixty patients with degenerative stenosis and sixty control participants underwent molecular analysis using real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction technique (RTqPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). At the mRNA level, study samples showed reduced expression of and , while increased by only 4%.

Targeted sequencing of cancer-related genes reveals a recurrent TOP2A variant which affects DNA binding and coincides with global transcriptional changes in glioblastoma.

High-grade gliomas are aggressive, deadly primary brain tumors. Median survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM, WHO grade 4) is 14 months and <10% of patients survive 2 years. Despite improved surgical strategies and forceful radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the prognosis of GBM patients is poor and did not improve over decades.

A Study of 179 Patients with Degenerative Stenosis of the Lumbosacral Spine to Evaluate Differences in Quality of Life and Disability Outcomes at 12 Months, Between Conservative Treatment and Surgical Decompression.

BACKGROUND This prospective study included 179 patients with degenerative stenosis of the lumbosacral spine and aimed to evaluate the outcomes of conservative treatment and surgical decompression on quality of life and disability over 12 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS The surgery group consisted of 96 patients with degenerative stenosis of the lumbosacral spine who qualified for surgical decompression, while the conservative-treatment group included 83 patients who qualified for conservative treatment. We used the Satisfaction with Life Scale questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale to assess the severity of pain, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire to assess the degree of disability, and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale at 0, 1, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

Exploring Novel Therapeutic Opportunities for Glioblastoma Using Patient-Derived Cell Cultures.

Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common, primary brain tumors in adults. Despite advances in neurosurgery and radio- and chemotherapy, the median survival of GBM patients is 15 months. Recent large-scale genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses have shown the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of GBMs, which hampers the outcomes of standard therapies.

Identification of the immune gene expression signature associated with recurrence of high-grade gliomas.

High-grade gliomas (HGGs), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumors in adults, inevitably recur due to incomplete surgery or resistance to therapy. Intratumoral genomic and cellular heterogeneity of HGGs contributes to therapeutic resistance, recurrence, and poor clinical outcomes. Transcriptomic profiles of HGGs at recurrence have not been investigated in detail.

Aberrantly Expressed RECQL4 Helicase Supports Proliferation and Drug Resistance of Human Glioma Cells and Glioma Stem Cells.

Anti-tumour therapies eliminate proliferating tumour cells by induction of DNA damage, but genomic aberrations or transcriptional deregulation may limit responses to therapy. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumour, which recurs inevitably due to chemo- and radio-resistance. Human RecQ helicases participate in DNA repair, responses to DNA damage and replication stress.

Effect of Social Factors on Surgical Outcomes in Cervical Disc Disease.

Background: Daily clinical practice shows us how diametrically different surgical outcomes can occur in particular groups of patients sharing the same diagnosis and being subjected to the same treatment. Patient-reported outcomes appear to be significantly influenced by social factors and patients' emotional status. Data on such variables were collated and analyzed statistically with the aim of confirming our clinical observations.

Analysis of changes in cervical spinal curvature and intervertebral disk space height following ACDF surgery in a group of 100 patients followed up for 12 months.

We analysed 100 patients following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with interbody stabilisation with PEEK cages. Radiographs obtained preoperatively and during the 12-month follow-up were compared to track changes in overall and local cervical lordosis and disk space height. Subsidence was defined as cage migration ≥ 3 mm into the adjacent endplates.

Thoracic Nerve Root Schwannoma Filling the Spinal Canal Almost Entirely Without any Neurological Deficits.

Introduction: Spinal tumours may be classified in three groups: 1) extradural, 2) intradural extramedullary and 3) intramedullary spinal cord tumours. Intradural extramedullary tumours arise from the leptomeninges or nerve roots and include schwannomas. A schwannoma is usually a firm grey-whitish tumour growing near a nerve trunk or ramus.

Repeated assessment of suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus in non-shunted cases. A prospective study based on the constant rate lumbar infusion test.

Background: Only a few reports have been published on the natural history of non-shunted patients suspected of having NPH. The aim of this study is to follow up a group of such cases.

Methods: It was possible to follow up 27 patients who had not been qualified for shunting after the primary diagnosis.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Pathological Vertebral Compression Fractures Secondary to Multiple Myeloma--Medium-Term and Long-Term Assessment of Pain Relief and Quality of Life.

Background: In patients with multiple myeloma (MM) there is a high risk of compression fractures of the spine. In the majority of cases, the method of treatment is percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) or kyphoplasty (PK). The number of studies verifying their efficacy in MM is still relatively small.

Can infusion tests be recommended for patients with giant hydrocephalus?

Background: The problem of adequate diagnosis of hydrocephalus followed by administration of an effective treatment has not yet been properly solved. Specifically, this pertains to the decision about the surgical insertion of a flow diverting device.

Aims: A lumbar infusion test was used to examine the compensatory parameters of intracranial space in giant hydrocephalus.

Compensatory parameters of intracranial space in giant hydrocephalus.

Background And Purpose: The main goal of the present study is to examine compensatory parameters of intracranial space in giant hydrocephalus. We also assess the early and late outcome and analyse complications in shunted cases.

Material And Methods: Nine cases of giant hydrocephalus characterised by the value of Evans ratio > 0.

Stereotactic biopsy in surgically inaccessible tumors with the use of "P.N." type frame.

Introduction: Stereotactic biopsy is unquestionably regarded as the gold standard for histopathological diagnosis of surgically inaccessible tumors. Tissue samples can be obtained by minimally invasive technique. Histopathological examination opens the door to oncological treatment of patients.

Assessment of the haemostatic system in patients surgically treated for ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

Background And Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate selected markers of thrombin generation and subsequent fibrinolysis in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and to assess the relationship between thrombin generation/fibrinolysis and clinical course and outcome.

Material And Methods: This prospective study included 72 patients after aneurysmal SAH who underwent surgery within 72 hours after onset of symptoms. The results were compared with 84 control patients without SAH.

Decreased levels of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta 2 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with high grade astrocytoma.

Objective: Glioma cells can produce anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) which inhibit T cell and monocyte function. It is unknown if production of these cytokines is limited to the site of tumor or these molecules are also released to cerebrospinal fluid and blood. The goal of our study was to determine if patients with astrocytoma have increased levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta 2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum.

[Direct surgical outcome of meningiomas obliterating the superior sagittal sinus].

Background And Purpose: Aggressive surgery for parasagittal meningiomas is considered when superior sagittal sinus is totally thrombosed by the tumour. However, there is potential risk of venous outflow injury resulting in an intracerebral haemorrhage. The aim of this study is to present surgical technique and early surgical outcome of patients with meningiomas obliterating the superior sagittal sinus.

Intracerebral haematoma in hydrocephalic shunted patients not related to ventricular cannula. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

Intracerebral haematoma (ICH) distantly from the site of insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or external drain is an extremely rare complication. In contrast to ICH caused by disruption of small cerebral vessels by the catheter, the cause of haematoma distantly from the shunt is unclear. We report three cases of ICH occurring distantly from the tubing path.

[Results of neuroendoscopic treatment of arachnoid cysts in adults].

Background And Purpose: Most arachnoid cysts (ACs) are asymptomatic, but some of them cause mass effect, mainly in adults. Surgery of ACs is controversial, especially regarding the choice of the best method of treatment. The authors present short- and long-term outcome of endoscopic surgery of ACs.

[The use of TachoComb for the rhinorrhea repair in pituitary transsphenoidal surgery].

Unlabelled: The transsphenoidal pituitary tumors surgery is often connected with intraoperative rhinorrhea. This complication might be serious if occurs again in the postoperative period. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sella reconstruction methods in patients with intraoperative rhinorrhea and comparing of their efficiency.

[A case of GH and TSH secreting pituitary macroadenoma].

A case of GH and TSH secreting pituitary macroadenoma is reported. A 45-year-old female presented clinical features of acromegaly (the abnormal growth of the hands and feet, with lower jaw protrusion), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nodular goiter and hyperthyroidism of unclear origin. NMR pituitary imaging revealed intra and extrasellar tumor.

[Diagnosis and operative treatment cavernous angiomas of the central nervous system].

Unlabelled: Among all detected cerebral angiomas the frequency of cavernous angiomas (CAs) is 5-13%. The aim of this study is to present the diagnostic methods of CA of the central nervous system (CNS), indications for surgery and assessment of its outcome. Between 1993-2000, eleven cases of CAs were operated on at the Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College, Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Comments on 'Analysis of intracranial pressure during and after the infusion test in patients with communicating hydrocephalus'.

We comment on the paper by Juniewicz et al (2005 Physiol. Meas. 26 1039-48) which addresses problems in application of the Marmarou model for analyzing intracranial pressure changes during and after the infusion test, as well as the clinical relevance of the additional parameters obtained during prolonged infusion.

[Endoscopic method in etiological diagnosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Case report].

The etiology of cerebral hemorrhage is not always easy to diagnose and modern neuroimaging methods may be deceptive. The authors report on a 48-year-old previously healthy male admitted to hospital with a first-time severe generalized epileptic seizure. The patient presented with aphasia, confusion, headaches, nausea, right hemianopia and early papilledema.

[Prognostic value of epileptic seizures in patients with cerebral gliomas].

Introduction: Epileptic seizures as the only or one of the symptoms of a brain tumor are useful for prognostication and represent a factor influencing survival rate and quality of life in patients with high-grade and low-grade gliomas.

Materials And Method: A retrospective analysis of 189 patients was carried out between 1981 and 1997. The shortest follow-up period was 2 years, the longest 8 years.