Types of high-riding vertebral artery: a classification system for preoperative planning of C2 instrumentation based on 908 potential screw insertion sites.

Background Context: Our recent studies indicated that a high-riding vertebral artery (HRVA) is a common variant posing a risk of injuring the vessel during C2 instrumentation. However, several different types fit in the current definition of HRVA, which may require a different strategy for C2 screw placement.

Purpose: To classify HRVA and provide a clinical aid for preoperative planning of C2 instrumentation.

A prospective pilot study of gut microbiome in cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A recent systematic review indicated that gut-microbiota-brain axis contributes to growth and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. However, gaps were detected in the role of intestinal microbiome in cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This is the first pilot study aiming to test study feasibility and identify differences in gut microbiota between subjects with and without CVS following aSAH.

Impulsivity and inhibitory control in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia.

Background: There is conflicting evidence on impulsivity and its potential relationship with inhibitory control in schizophrenia. This study therefore aimed to identify differences in impulsivity and cognitive and motor inhibition between patients with deficit (DS) and non-deficit (NDS) schizophrenia and healthy controls (HC). We also explored the relationships between impulsivity and different dimensions of inhibitory control in all studied groups.

The importance of oxidative biomarkers in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring schizophrenia patients.

Introduction: The etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ), an incredibly complex disorder, remains multifaceted. Literature suggests the involvement of oxidative stress (OS) in the pathophysiology of SCZ.

Objectives: Determination of selected OS markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with chronic SCZ and those in states predisposing to SCZ-first episode psychosis (FP) and ultra-high risk (UHR).

Greater methylation of the IL-6 promoter region is associated with decreased integrity of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with chronic subclinical inflammation and decreased integrity of the corpus callosum (CC). Our previous study showed associations between peripheral IL-6 levels and the integrity of the CC. Epigenetic studies show associations between methylation of the genes related to immunological processes and integrity of the CC.

Differential DNA methylation associated with delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review.

Recent studies suggest that differential DNA methylation could play a role in the mechanism of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Considering the significance of this matter and a lack of effective prophylaxis against DCI, we aim to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding their associations with DNA methylation and identify the gaps for a future trial. PubMed MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched by two authors in three waves for relevant DNA methylation association studies in DCI after aSAH.

Changes in cervical sagittal balance following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion.

Introduction: Change in the sagittal balance after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) is a phenomenon that has not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to assess such changes.

Material And Methods: 28 patients who underwent ACDF for cervical spondylosis were examined.

Gut microbiome in intracranial aneurysm growth, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral vasospasm: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis.

Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are the most common cerebral vascular pathologies. Their rupture leads to the most dangerous subtype of stroke-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), which may be followed by cerebral vasospasm and ischemic sequelae. Recently, an imbalance within the intestinal microbiota, referred to as dysbiosis, was suggested to play a role in the formation, progression, and rupture of IA.

Telovelar versus transvermian approach to tumors of the fourth ventricle and their impact on postoperative neurological complications: A multicenter study.

Background: Tumors of the fourth ventricle are exceedingly rare; however, such lesions are formidable due to the severe postoperative neurological complications (pNCs) which often occur. The adoption of the telovelar approach over the transvermian was created to supposedly mitigate the pNCs; however, there is a lack of sufficient data supporting this theory.

Methods: Records from six hospitals were reviewed for patients surgically treated for a single tumor within the 4 ventricle from 2016 to 2022.

Cognitive Dysfunctions Measured with the MCCB in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia.

This study compared cognitive domains between deficit schizophrenia (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy controls (HC), analyzing relationships between psychopathological dimensions and cognitive domains. A total of 29 DS patients, 45 NDS patients, and 39 HC subjects participated. Cognitive domains were measured using the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Battery.

Executive Functions and Psychopathology Dimensions in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia.

This study: (a) compared executive functions between deficit (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy controls (HC), controlling premorbid IQ and level of education; (b) compared executive functions in DS and NDS patients, controlling premorbid IQ and psychopathological symptoms; and (c) estimated relationships between clinical factors, psychopathological symptoms, and executive functions using structural equation modelling. Participants were 29 DS patients, 44 NDS patients, and 39 HC. Executive functions were measured with the Mazes Subtest, Spatial Span Subtest, Letter Number Span Test, Color Trail Test, and Berg Card Sorting Test.

External validation of the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale in adults with Chiari malformation type I.

Objective: The Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) serves as a standardized clinical outcome evaluation tool among patients with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). While the reliability of this scale has been proven for pediatric patients, the literature lacks CCOS validation when used solely in adults. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the validity of the CCOS in an external cohort of adult patients.

Complement Activation Products in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia.

Evidence suggests a role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of a number of mental conditions, including schizophrenia (SCH). In terms of physiology, aside from its crucial protective function, the complement cascade (CC) is a critical element of the regeneration processes, including neurogenesis. Few studies have attempted to define the function of the CC components in SCH.

Serum Inflammatory Markers and Integrity of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus and the Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus in Schizophrenia, from Prodromal Stages to Chronic Psychosis-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic subclinical inflammation is believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Meta-analyses confirm the presence of increased levels of peripheral inflammatory markers (IM) in schizophrenia and its prodromal stages. Peripheral cytokines may affect the brain microstructure through chronic activation of microglia.

Does SARS-CoV-2 Affect Human Semen? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Contradictory results have been reported regarding effects of the SARS-CoV-2 upon human semen. A timely and up-to-date systematic review with meta-analysis appears necessary. This study aimed to deliver pooled prevalence (PP) of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and pooled semen parameters as compared with the uninfected.

Rare clinical manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Objective: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare disorder characterized by tumors in various endocrine glands. It is caused by a mutation in the MEN1 gene. This gene encodes menin, a protein that regulates cell proliferation.

External validation of the Ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation Grading Scale (RAGS) in a multicenter adult cohort.

Purpose: While Ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation Grading Scale (RAGS) has recently been validated in children, the literature lacks validation on adults exclusively. Therefore, we aimed to determine the validity of RAGS on the external multicenter adult cohort and compare its accuracy with other scales.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in five neurosurgical departments to extract patients who presented with the first episode of acute brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) rupture between 2012 and 2019.

The Relationship between Cognitive Functions and Psychopathological Symptoms in First Episode Psychosis and Chronic Schizophrenia.

Impairments in cognitive functions are one of the main features of schizophrenia. A variety of factors can influence the extent of cognitive deficits. In our study, we examined the severity of cognitive deficits at different stages of the disease and the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and cognitive functions.

EuroQol-5 dimensions health-related quality of life questionnaire in craniovertebral instability treated with posterior fixation with or without occipital plating: A comparative study with matched datasets.

Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in craniocervical instability (CCI) before and after posterior fixation is yet to be determined. This study aimed to deliver novel and clinically relevant data about HRQoL (baseline, at follow-up, predictors, and correlates) in subjects with CCI treated with posterior fixation with or without occipital plating, and to compare it with matched datasets.

Methods: EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires were collected to evaluate HRQoL before surgery and at follow-up.

Relationship between White Matter Alterations and Pathophysiological Symptoms in Patients with Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis, First-Episode, and Chronic Schizophrenia.

Some symptoms of schizophrenia might be present before full-blown psychosis, so white matter changes must be studied both in individuals with emerging psychosis and chronic schizophrenia. A total of 86 patients—12 ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR), 20 first episode psychosis (FEP), 54 chronic schizophrenia (CS), and 33 healthy controls (HC)—underwent psychiatric examination and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a 3-Tesla MRI scanner. We assessed fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILS).

Effective Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in a Patient with Chronic Thromboembolic Complications after Ventriculoatrial Shunt for Hydrocephalus in von Hippel-Lindau Disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease along with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a unique and unusual severe complication of ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt implantation in the treatment of hydrocephalus. To the best of our knowledge, this can be the first reported case of an effective treatment with balloon pulmonary angioplasty in a patient with VHL after VA shunt placement. The patient underwent six balloon pulmonary angioplasty procedures.

Psychopathology and Integrity of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus in Deficit and Nondeficit Schizophrenia.

The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is a white matter bundle that connects the frontal areas with the parietal areas. As part of the visuospatial attentional network, it may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. Deficit syndrome (DS) is characterized by primary and enduring negative symptoms.

Serum inflammatory markers and their associations with white matter integrity of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.

Schizophrenia is associated with disrupted integrity of white matter microstructure of a variety of brain regions, especially the corpus callosum (CC). Chronic subclinical inflammation is considered to be one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, and increased levels of peripheral inflammatory markers are often observed in schizophrenia patients. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether the integrity of the corpus callosum is correlated with levels of these markers.