Relationship between glioblastoma location and O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation percentage.

A large literature assessed the relationships between the O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status and glioblastoma location with inconsistent results. Studies assessing this association using the percentage of methylation are lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating relationships between glioblastoma topology and MGMT promoter methylation, both as categorical (presence/absence) and continuous (percentage) status.

Strong-field quantum control in the extreme ultraviolet domain using pulse shaping.

Tailored light-matter interactions in the strong coupling regime enable the manipulation and control of quantum systems with up to unit efficiency, with applications ranging from quantum information to photochemistry. Although strong light-matter interactions are readily induced at the valence electron level using long-wavelength radiation, comparable phenomena have been only recently observed with short wavelengths, accessing highly excited multi-electron and inner-shell electron states. However, the quantum control of strong-field processes at short wavelengths has not been possible, so far, because of the lack of pulse-shaping technologies in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray domain.

Indirect functional connectivity does not predict overall survival in glioblastoma.

Background: Lesion network mapping (LNM) is a popular framework to assess clinical syndromes following brain injury. The classical approach involves embedding lesions from patients into a normative functional connectome and using the corresponding functional maps as proxies for disconnections. However, previous studies indicated limited predictive power of this approach in behavioral deficits.

Reports of Gastric Banding and Bowel Obstruction: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

The utilization rates of laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) declined worldwide from 42.3% in 2008 to 1.8% in 2018.

Wave packet dynamics and control in excited states of molecular nitrogen.

Wave packet interferometry with vacuum ultraviolet light has been used to probe a complex region of the electronic spectrum of molecular nitrogen, N2. Wave packets of Rydberg and valence states were excited by using double pulses of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), free-electron-laser (FEL) light. These wave packets were composed of contributions from multiple electronic states with a moderate principal quantum number (n ∼ 4-9) and a range of vibrational and rotational quantum numbers.

Anisotropy Parameters for Two-Color Photoionization Phases in Randomly Oriented Molecules: Theory and Experiment in Methane and Deuteromethane.

We present combined theoretical and experimental work investigating the angle-resolved phases of the photoionization process driven by a two-color field consisting of an attosecond pulse train and an infrared pulse in an ensemble of randomly oriented molecules. We derive a general form for the two-color photoelectron (and time-delay) angular distribution valid also in the case of chiral molecules and when relative polarizations of the photons contributing to the attosecond photoelectron interferometer differ. We show a comparison between the experimental data and theoretical predictions in an ensemble of methane and deuteromethane molecules, discussing the effect of nuclear dynamics on the photoionization phases.

Alternative Pathway to Double-Core-Hole States.

Excited double-core-hole states of isolated water molecules resulting from the sequential absorption of two x-ray photons have been investigated. These states are formed through an alternative pathway, where the initial step of core ionization is accompanied by the shake-up of a valence electron, leading to the same final states as in the core-ionization followed by core-excitation pathway. The capability of the x-ray free-electron laser to deliver very intense, very short, and tunable light pulses is fully exploited to identify the two different pathways.

Functional maturation of human iPSC-derived pyramidal neurons is dependent on proximity with the host tissue.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been used extensively to model early events in neurodevelopment. Because of a number of shortcomings, previous work has established a potential to use these cells after transplantation into the mouse brain. Here, we describe a systematic approach for the analysis of transplanted hiPSC-derived neurons and glial cells over time in the mouse brain.

Diffuse Gliomas with FGFR3-TACC3 Fusions: Oncogenic Mechanisms, Hallmarks, and Therapeutic Perspectives.

In 2012, whole-transcriptome sequencing analysis led to the discovery of recurrent fusions involving the and genes as the main oncological driver in a subset of human glioblastomas. Since then, fusions have been identified in several other solid cancers. Further studies dissected the oncogenic mechanisms of the fusion protein and its complex interplay with cancer cell metabolism.

Simple detecting of elevated ICP through liquor flow after lumbar puncture.

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is defined as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (OP) greater than 25 cmH2O. When a diagnostic lumbar puncture is performed it is useful to estimate also intracranial pressure. To do this it is required a presence of pressure gauges, which are currently the gold standard, not available in most resource-constrained contexts.

Layer 1 neocortex: Gating and integrating multidimensional signals.

Layer 1 (L1) of the neocortex acts as a nexus for the collection and processing of widespread information. By integrating ascending inputs with extensive top-down activity, this layer likely provides critical information regulating how the perception of sensory inputs is reconciled with expectation. This is accomplished by sorting, directing, and integrating the complex network of excitatory inputs that converge onto L1.

Long-term outcome of alcohol withdrawal seizures.

Background And Purpose: Alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) are a well-known complication of chronic alcohol abuse, but there is currently little knowledge of their long-term relapse rate and prognosis. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for AWS recurrence and to study the overall outcome of patients after AWS.

Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, we included patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department after an AWS between January 1, 2013 and August 10, 2021 and for whom an electroencephalogram (EEG) was requested.

Isotope effects in dynamics of water isotopologues induced by core ionization at an x-ray free-electron laser.

Dynamical response of water exposed to x-rays is of utmost importance in a wealth of science areas. We exposed isolated water isotopologues to short x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser and detected momenta of all produced ions in coincidence. By combining experimental results and theoretical modeling, we identify significant structural dynamics with characteristic isotope effects in HO, DO, and HDO, such as asymmetric bond elongation and bond-angle opening, leading to two-body or three-body fragmentation on a timescale of a few femtoseconds.

White Matter Tract Density Index Prediction Model of Overall Survival in Glioblastoma.

Importance: The prognosis of overall survival (OS) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) may depend on the underlying structural connectivity of the brain.

Objective: To examine the association between white matter tracts affected by GBM and patients' OS by means of a new tract density index (TDI).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study in patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of GBM examined a discovery cohort of 112 patients who underwent surgery between February 1, 2015, and November 30, 2020 (follow-up to May 31, 2023), in Italy and 70 patients in a replicative cohort (n = 70) who underwent surgery between September 1, 2012, and November 30, 2015 (follow-up to May 31, 2023), in Germany.

The impact of a non-restrictive Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in the emergency department of a secondary-level Italian hospital.

Evidence supporting the effectiveness of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Programs in the emergency department (ED) setting is limited. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the efficacy of an AMS program in an ED and a short-stay observation unit. The intervention included periodic prospective audits (twice a week), conducted by four infectious disease consultants.

Femtosecond Polarization Shaping of Free-Electron Laser Pulses.

We demonstrate the generation of extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) free-electron laser (FEL) pulses with time-dependent polarization. To achieve polarization modulation on a femtosecond timescale, we combine two mutually delayed counterrotating circularly polarized subpulses from two cross-polarized undulators. The polarization profile of the pulses is probed by angle-resolved photoemission and above-threshold ionization of helium; the results agree with solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation.

Lung ultrasound-guided PEEP titration in COVID-19 patients treated with CPAP.

Objectives: An increasing number of COVID-19 patients were treated with continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). To evaluate the clinical effects of personalized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) compared to standard fixed PEEP in COVID-19 patients requiring CPAP.

Methods: This is a single center, prospective, randomized clinical study.

Patterns of gray and white matter functional networks involvement in glioblastoma patients: indirect mapping from clinical MRI scans.

Background: Resting-state functional-MRI studies identified several cortical gray matter functional networks (GMNs) and white matter functional networks (WMNs) with precise anatomical localization. Here, we aimed at describing the relationships between brain's functional topological organization and glioblastoma (GBM) location. Furthermore, we assessed whether GBM distribution across these networks was associated with overall survival (OS).

Ultrastable, high-repetition-rate attosecond beamline for time-resolved XUV-IR coincidence spectroscopy.

The implementation of attosecond photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy for the investigation of atomic and molecular dynamics calls for a high-repetition-rate driving source combined with experimental setups characterized by excellent stability for data acquisition over time intervals ranging from a few hours up to a few days. This requirement is crucial for the investigation of processes characterized by low cross sections and for the characterization of fully differential photoelectron(s) and photoion(s) angular and energy distributions. We demonstrate that the implementation of industrial-grade lasers, combined with a careful design of the delay line implemented in the pump-probe setup, allows one to reach ultrastable experimental conditions leading to an error in the estimation of the time delays of only 12 as over an acquisition time of 6.

Blood lactate in mild and moderate ARDS secondary to SARS COV 2.

Background And Objectives: Elevated blood lactate levels are associated with poor outcome in several critical conditions. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 rarely develop hyperlactatemia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the trend of lactatemia in patients affected by mild/moderate SARS-Co V-2-ARDS and if it affected prognosis.

Novel care bundle of established basic and practical approaches greatly reduces urinary tract infections in nursing facility residents without indwelling catheters.

Background: Residents in nursing facilities (NFs) are at greater risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) with higher hospitalizations and costs than people living in communities. These residents also have increased likelihood of uroseptic shock and death. The objective of the study was to prevent UTIs and to reduce UTI-associated costs among NF residents.

An Interdisciplinary Ethics Panel Approach to End-of-Life Decision Making for Unbefriended Nursing Home Residents.

For those with advanced life-limiting illness, the optimization of quality of life and avoidance of nonbeneficial treatments at the end of life are key ethical concerns. This article evaluates the efficacy of an Interdisciplinary Ethics Panel (IEP) approach to decision making at the end of life for unbefriended nursing home residents who lack decisional capacity and have advanced life-limiting illness, through the use of a nine-step algorithm developed for this purpose. We reviewed the outcomes of three quality-of-care phased initiatives conducted in our facility, a large public nursing home in New York City, between June 2016 and February 2020, which indicated that this IEP approach promoted advance-care planning, as palliative measures were endorsed to optimize quality of life for this vulnerable population at the end of life.

Vaccines and myasthenia gravis: a comprehensive review and retrospective study of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a large cohort of myasthenic patients.

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, for which the risk of exacerbation after vaccines is debated. The aim of this study is to review the available literature concerning safety and efficacy of vaccines in MG. In addition, we also conducted a retrospective research of MG exacerbations and new onset MG after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a large cohort of patients.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates of Immune Microenvironment in Glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly occurring primary malignant brain tumor, and it carries a dismal prognosis. Focusing on the tumor microenvironment may provide new insights into pathogenesis, but no clinical tools are available to do this. We hypothesized that the infiltration of different leukocyte populations in the tumoral and peritumoral brain tissues may be measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).