Biomarkers of pediatric brain tumors.

Unlabelled: Background and Need for Novel Biomarkers: Brain tumors are the leading cause of death by solid tumors in children. Although improvements have been made in their radiological detection and treatment, our capacity to promptly diagnose pediatric brain tumors in their early stages remains limited. This contrasts several other cancers where serum biomarkers such as cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 and CA 125 facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Is there a role for treating inflammation in moyamoya disease?: a review of histopathology, genetics, and signaling cascades.

Moyamoya disease is a slowly progressing steno-occlusive condition affecting the cerebrovasculature. Affecting the terminal internal carotid arteries (ICA) and there branches, bilaterally, a resulting in a fine vascular network in the base of the brain to allow for compensation of the stenosed vessels. While there is obvious evidence of the involvement of inflammatory proteins in the condition, this has historically not been acknowledged as a causal factor.

Predictive markers in traumatic brain injury: opportunities for a serum biosignature.

The current diagnostic criteria for traumatic brain injury (TBI) are heavily reliant on an accurate clinical history of events. Diagnosis of mild injury relies on one or more of the following: confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness (LOC) for 30 min or less, post-ictus amnesia for less than 24 h and/or other transient neurological abnormalities and a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS). Given the nature of the condition it is obvious that significant clinical challenges remain to identify in the cases of mild TBI, and additionally to grade more severe forms so that appropriate treatment is received.

Exploring the use of estrogen & progesterone replacement therapy in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The hypothesis that alterations in hormone levels can impact on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is rapidly gaining momentum. Specifically, the concept that post-menopausal women are more susceptible to the condition has convinced many of the protective roles of estrogen and progesterone. Here we review the mechanisms of their actions and the potential for estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used as a treatment modality in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed therapies worldwide. Meta-analysis data indicate the potential for myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular incident, heart failure, renal failure and arterial hypertension. Here we review the mechanisms of their actions and the potential for therapeutic use in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Specific TNF-alpha inhibition in cerebral aneurysm formation and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The signal transduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is complex and regulated via a vast number of interconnecting pathways. The TNF-alpha signaling pathway plays a major role in the pathogenesis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The advent of molecular mimicry has provided a number of opportunities to tackle disease with improved specificity.

Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus presenting with occipital subcutaneous emphysema as primary symptom: could tension gas cause the destruction of cranial bones?

The authors report, to the best of their knowledge, the first case of a spontaneous tension pneumocephalus with subcutaneous emphysema. Hyperpneumatization of the cranium and mechanical compression contributed jointly to the formation of a fistula, and air pressure caused a subsequent disruption of the suture and air leakage into the subcutaneous space. A minimally invasive otological procedure proved efficacious for resolution.

Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study.

Objectives: Yoga and exercise have beneficial effects on mood and anxiety. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic activity is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders. The practice of yoga postures is associated with increased brain GABA levels.

Lead encephalopathy due to traditional medicines.

Traditional medicine use is common in developing countries and increasingly popular in the western world. Despite the popularity of traditional medicines, scientific research on safety and efficacy is limited. However documented fatalities and severe illness due to lead poisoning are increasingly recognized to be associated with traditional medicine use.