Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) implementations to control cholera outbreak in Oromia region, Ethiopia.

Background: Oromia regional state experiencing cholera outbreaks in a protracted pattern despite various interventions at local and regional levels. This study aimed to examine the implementation of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities for cholera outbreak control in the region.

Methods: We conducted a quantitative and qualitative mixed-method study.

Glutathione peroxidase 4 overexpression induces anomalous subdiffusion and impairs glioblastoma cell growth.

Glioblastoma tumors are the most common and aggressive adult central nervous system malignancy. Nearly all patients experience disease progression, which significantly contributes to disease mortality. Recently, it has been suggested that recurrent tumors may be characterized by a ferroptosis-prone phenotype with a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) expression.

Surgical management of skull base and spinal chordomas: A case series with comprehensive review of the literature.

Background: Chordomas are rare, slow growing, locally aggressive malignant bone tumors that arise from remnants of the embryonic notochord with variable presenting symptoms depending on tumor location.

Methods: All patients with craniospinal chordoma managed at our institution between 1982 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, tumor characteristics, clinical course and treatment, and long-term neurological and survival outcomes were collected.

Waning success: a 2013-2022 spatial and temporal trend analysis of malaria in Ethiopia.

Background: Despite consecutive decades of success in reducing malaria transmission, Ethiopia went off track towards its goal of malaria elimination by 2030, as outlined in the NMCP malaria strategy. Recent malaria outbreaks in Ethiopia are attributed to the emergence and spread of diagnostic and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, increased insecticide resistance in major vectors and the spread of invasive Anopheles stephensi. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental anomalies and internal conflicts have also potentially played a role in increasing malaria transmission.

Larval source management in Ethiopia: modelling to assess its effectiveness in curbing malaria surge in dire Dawa and Batu Towns.

Background: Ethiopia faces several severe challenges in terms of malaria elimination, including drug resistance and diagnostic evasion in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, insecticide resistance in the primary Anopheles malaria vector, and, most recently, the invasion of the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Novel malaria control methods are therefore needed, and in this paper, we describe the evaluation of a larval source management (LSM) strategy implemented in response to An. stephensi.

Vertebral hemangiomas: a review on diagnosis and management.

Background: Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are the most common benign tumors of the spinal column and are often encountered incidentally during routine spinal imaging.

Methods: A retrospective review of the inpatient and outpatient hospital records at our institution was performed for the diagnosis of VHs from January 2005 to September 2023. Search filters included "vertebral hemangioma," "back pain," "weakness," "radiculopathy," and "focal neurological deficits.

Rare variant of large pediatric glioneuronal tumor with novel MYO5A::NTRK3 fusion: illustrative case.

Background: Glioneuronal tumors (GNTs) comprise a rare class of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms with varying degrees of neuronal and glial differentiation that predominately affect children and young adults. Within the current 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of CNS tumors, GNTs encompass 14 distinct tumor types. Recently, the use of whole-genome DNA methylation profiling has allowed more precise classification of this tumor group.

Survival and neurological outcomes following management of intramedullary spinal metastasis patients: a case series with comprehensive review of the literature.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM), though rare, represents a potentially debilitating manifestation of systemic cancer. With emerging advances in cancer care, ISCMs are increasingly being encountered in clinical practice. Herein, we describe one of the larger retrospective single institutional case series on ISCMs, analyze survival and treatment outcomes, and review the literature.

Iron-based biomarkers for personalizing pharmacological ascorbate therapy in glioblastoma: insights from a phase 2 clinical trial.

Background: Pharmacological ascorbate (intravenous delivery reaching plasma concentrations ≈ 20 mM; P-AscH) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma. Recently, a single-arm phase 2 clinical trial demonstrated a significant increase in overall survival when P-AscH was combined with temozolomide and radiotherapy. As P-AscH relies on iron-dependent mechanisms, this study aimed to assess the predictive potential of both molecular and imaging-based iron-related markers to enhance the personalization of P-AscH therapy in glioblastoma participants.

MRI Detection and Therapeutic Enhancement of Ferumoxytol Internalization in Glioblastoma Cells.

Recently, the FDA-approved iron oxide nanoparticle, ferumoxytol, has been found to enhance the efficacy of pharmacological ascorbate (AscH) in treating glioblastoma, as AscH reduces the Fe sites in the nanoparticle core. Given the iron oxidation state specificity of T2* relaxation mapping, this study aims to investigate the ability of T2* relaxation to monitor the reduction of ferumoxytol by AscH with respect to its in vitro therapeutic enhancement. This study employed an in vitro glioblastoma MRI model system to investigate the chemical interaction of ferumoxytol with T* mapping.

Surgical management of craniospinal axis malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: a single-institution experience and literature review.

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive tumor, with limited literature on its management. Herein, we present our series of surgically managed craniospinal MPNSTs, analyze their outcomes, and review the literature.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed surgically managed primary craniospinal MPNSTs treated at our institution between January 2005 and May 2023.

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of primary spinal atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors tumor in a pediatric patient: A case report and review of the literature.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare embryonal tumors comprising 1-2% of all pediatric CNS neoplasms. Spinal ATRTs are even more uncommon, accounting for 2% of all reported ATRT cases. Despite their rarity, ATRTs affect young children disproportionately and are characterized by a high malignant potential due to a heterogeneous cellular composition and inactivating mutations in the (90%) and (10%) genes.

Surgical Management of Craniospinal Axis Solitary Fibrous Tumors: A Single-Institution Case Series and Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

Background And Objectives: Meningeal solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) comprise 0.4% of primary central nervous system neoplasms and carry metastatic potential. Disease course and optimal management are largely unknown, and there is currently no literature rigorously describing neurological outcomes in surgically managed SFTs.

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of a primary intradural spinal chondrosarcoma in a young adult: illustrative case.

Background: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is an aggressive subtype of chondrosarcoma that occurs extremely rarely in the central nervous system. Patients often present with pain or sensorimotor deficits, and resection is considered the gold standard. The role of adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy is largely unknown.

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of recurrent intracranial malignant triton tumor in an adult: illustrative case.

Background: Malignant triton tumors (MTTs) are a rare and aggressive type of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor identified histologically by focal rhabdomyoblastic differentiation.

Observations: A 37-year-old female with a prior history of Hodgkin lymphoma presented with acute-onset confusion, cognitive deficits, and weakness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hemorrhagic intracranial mass later confirmed to be a malignant triton tumor.

Pediatric brainstem abscess successfully treated with stereotactic aspiration: illustrative case.

Background: Pediatric brainstem abscesses are rare entities that account for 1% of all brain abscesses and, when diagnosed, constitute a neurosurgical emergency.

Observations: A previously healthy 11-year-old male presented with several days of worsening headache, confusion, and ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a midbrain and pons lesion.

Surgical outcomes and risk factors for recurrence of myxopapillary ependymoma: a single-center experience.

Objective: Myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) are low-grade, well-circumscribed tumors that often involve the conus medullaris, cauda equina, or filum terminale. They account for up to 5% of all tumors of the spine and 13% of spinal ependymomas, with a peak incidence between 30 and 50 years of age. Because of the rarity of MPEs, their clinical course and optimal management strategy are not well defined, and long-term outcomes remain difficult to predict.

Magnetite nanoparticles as a kinetically favorable source of iron to enhance GBM response to chemoradiosensitization with pharmacological ascorbate.

Ferumoxytol (FMX) is an FDA-approved magnetite (FeO) nanoparticle used to treat iron deficiency anemia that can also be used as an MR imaging agent in patients that can't receive gadolinium. Pharmacological ascorbate (P-AscH-; IV delivery; plasma levels ≈ 20 mM) has shown promise as an adjuvant to standard of care chemo-radiotherapy in glioblastoma (GBM). Since ascorbate toxicity mediated by HO is enhanced by Fe redox cycling, the current study determined if ascorbate catalyzed the release of ferrous iron (Fe) from FMX for enhancing GBM responses to chemo-radiotherapy.

Vertebral hemangiomas: Diagnosis and management. A single center experience.

Objective: Vertebral hemangiomas (VH) are common benign lesions involving the spine. Owing to the multiplicity of treatments, the management of VH has not always been consistent. In this retrospective review of a single center experience, indications and options available for the treatment of VH are outlined.

Intraoperative Shoulder Traction as Cause of C5 Palsy: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Objective: During surgery, shoulder traction is often used for better fluoroscopic imaging of the lower cervical spine. Traction on the C5 root has been implicated as a potential cause of C5 palsy after cervical spine surgery. Using magnetic resonance imaging, this study was undertaken to determine the impact of upper extremity traction on the C5 root orientation.