Prophylactic use of dural tenting sutures in elective craniotomies in adults-is it necessary? A study protocol for a multicentre, investigator- and participant-blinded randomised, parallel-group, non-inferiority trial.

Background: In the early days of neurosurgery, extradural haemorrhages (EDHs) contributed to a high mortality rate after craniotomies. Almost a century ago, Walter Dandy reported dural tenting sutures as an effective way to prevent postoperative EDH. Over time, his technique gained in popularity and significance to finally become a neurosurgical standard.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and its Oncogenic Variant in Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors.

Background/aim: Tumorigenesis and cancer progression might be driven by abnormal activation of growth factor receptors. Importantly, molecular changes in EGFR-dependent signaling is one of the most common characteristics of brain tumors.

Patients And Methods: HER1 and EGFRvIII variants in meningiomas and glioblastomas were evaluated at the RNA level.

IFN- Correlations with Pain Assessment, Radiological Findings, and Clinical Intercourse in Patient after Lumbar Microdiscectomy: Preliminary Study.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of pain decrease after lumbar microdiscectomy on the interferon gamma (IFN-) serum level in patients with lumbar disc herniations. The study challenges the mechanism of sciatica pain and the role of IFN- in radicular pain development. .

Examination of marketing mix performance in relation to sustainable development of the Poland's confectionery industry.

The conventional concept of marketing mix does not take into account the idea of sustainable development. The basic objective of this examination is to analyze and evaluate the performance of selected marketing mix elements from the perspective of the Poland's confectionery industry's sustainable development. The questionnaire survey was designed for this purpose.

A Case Report of a Female Patient With Hodgkin Lymphoma Localized in the Central Nervous System and With Concomitant Pulmonary Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis.

The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been rarely reported, especially in its primary isolated form. Herein, we present a case of a 33-year-old woman, who received immunosuppressive treatment due to ulcerative colitis (at the beginning azathioprine and sulfasalazine, changed to mesalazine), with repetitive episodes of loss of consciousness for a few weeks and with no other symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the head revealed a tumor in the lateral part of the left temporal lobe and in the cerebellum.

PD-L1 gene copy number and promoter polymorphisms regulate PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Most drugs targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 are more effective when cancer cells of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients express PD-L1 protein. The polymorphisms of PD-L1 gene and PD-L1 gene copy number could be responsible for PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression. We analyzed PD-L1 protein expression using two IHC assays, mRNA (PD-L1) expression by qRT-PCR, PD-L1 gene promoter region polymorphisms (rs822335 and rs822336) by qPCR and PD-L1 gene copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization method.

The impact of changes in serum levels of metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 on pain perception in patients with disc herniation before and after surgery.

The aim of our research was to investigate the link between serum levels of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, and the degree of pain experienced before and 1 and 3 months after microdiscectomy in 70 patients with disc herniation (DH). The control group (group C) consisted of 70 healthy subjects and the DH group consisted of 70 patients with sciatica pain caused by lumbar DH. Before (DH0) and 1 and 3 months after surgery, the patients were assessed in terms of the following biochemical parameters: MMP-2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), MMP-2/TIMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and MMP-9/TIMP1, and the following clinical parameters: Numeric Rating Scale for the back (NRS-B) and the leg (NRS-L) and the Pain Rating Index (PRI) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) of the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Necessity of dural tenting sutures in modern neurosurgery: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: The ongoing need for dural tenting sutures in a contemporary neurosurgical practice has been questioned in the literature for over two decades. In the past, these sutures were supposed to prevent blood collecting in the potential space between the skull and the dura by elevating the latter. Theoretically, with modern haemostasis and proper postoperative care, this technique should not be necessary and the surgery time can be shortened.

The Elevated Serum Level of IFN- in Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Remains Unchanged after Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on IFN-, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, IL-10, and TGF- serum levels in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients. The study will try to give new insights into the mechanism of SCS action and the role of IFN- and other cytokines in neuropathic pain (NP) development.

Materials And Methods: Clinical and biochemical assessment was conducted in four groups of patients: consisted of 24 FBSS patients qualified to SCS therapy, included 17 patients who were one month after implantation, featured 12 patients who were 3 months after the implantation, and (the control group) with no NP.

Serum Level of Metalloproteinase-2 but not Metalloproteinase-9 Rises in Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome After Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Objectives: The impact of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on serum levels of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was assessed in a group of patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The study was to give new insights into the SCS mechanism of action and the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the development of NP.

Material And Methods: Clinical assessments were performed and biochemical markers were determined in two groups of patients: the control group (24 individuals) and the FBSS group (24 patients).

Size and location correlations with higher rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of size and location of the intracranial aneurysm on rupture probability.

Material And Methods: 265 patients with diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms were admitted to the department from January 2012 to December 2013. The characteristic of aneurysm, such as median size, location, single and multiple aneurysms and presentation were retrospectively reviewed using cerebral angiography reports.

Immunohistochemical assays incorporating SP142 and 22C3 monoclonal antibodies for detection of PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients with known status of and genes.

Different immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were approved for PD-L1 expression examination on tumor cells in qualification to immune-checkpoint inhibitors therapy in NSCLC patients. These assays have some similarities, but also very serious differences. We assessed 2 IHC tests for PD-L1 expression evaluation in NSCLC tumors with different pathological diagnoses and genetic abnormalities.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma as a neurosurgical problem.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) comprises around 3-5% of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours and around 1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological type. High effectiveness of chemo- and radiotherapy for PCNSL regrettably does not eliminate significant risks of recurrence for CNS tumours.

Prevalence of NRAS, PTEN and AKT1 gene mutations in the central nervous system metastases of non-small cell lung cancer.

Somatic mutations in NRAS, PTEN and AKT1 genes are rarely (~1%) reported in primary NSCLC, but their role in carcinogenesis have been proven. Therefore, we assessed the frequency of them in 145 FFPE tissue samples from CNS metastases of NSCLC using the real-time PCR technique. We identified four (two NRAS and single AKT1 and PTEN) mutations in CNS metastases of NSCLC.

Screening for ALK abnormalities in central nervous system metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement was reported in 3%-7% of primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its presence is commonly associated with adenocarcinoma (AD) type and non-smoking history. ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as crizotinib, alectinib and ceritinib showed efficiency in patients with primary NSCLC harboring ALK gene rearrangement. Moreover, response to ALK TKIs was observed in central nervous system (CNS) metastatic lesions of NSCLC.

PIK3CA Mutations Detected in Patients with Central Nervous System Metastases of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene mutations have been reported in fewer than 5% of primary tumors.

Materials And Methods: We assessed PIK3CA gene mutations in 145 tissue samples from central nervous system (CNS) metastases of NSCLC using three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques: high resolution melting-PCR (HRM-PCR), allele-specific-quantitative PCR (ASP-qPCR) and TaqMan PCR.

Results: HRM analysis allowed us to select three PIK3CA-positive specimens (2.

Immune response in breast cancer brain metastases and their microenvironment: the role of the PD-1/PD-L axis.

Background: A better understanding of immune response in breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) may prompt new preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs: CD4, CD8, CTLA4), macrophage/microglial cells (CD68), programmed cell death protein 1 receptor (PD-1), programmed cell death protein 1 receptor ligand (PD-L)1, PD-L2 and glial fibrillary acid protein was assessed in 84 BCBM and their microenvironment.

Results: Median survival after BCBM excision was 18.

Early brain perfusion improvement after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus evaluated by 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT - preliminary report.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a clinical syndrome that consists of the triad: gait disturbance, mental deterioration and urinary incontinence associated with normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSF), without pre-existing abnormalities. The most popular treatment option is surgical implantation of a shunt. Brain perfusion increase occurring months or years after successful shunt surgery is well described in the literature.

Effects of Therapy in Patients Suffering from Chronic Back Pain Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Pain in the lumbosacral part of the spine in the course of degenerative disease is the most common cause of physical activity limitation in adults. Treatment includes pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, health promotion, and sometimes surgery. Surgical treatment is not always successful, and the various clinical and psychosomatic symptoms that result from surgical treatment failure are known as failed back surgery syndrome.

Predictive model for patients with poor-grade subarachnoid haemorrhage in 30-day observation: a 9-year cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors and build the predictive model based on poor-grade subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) population received only supportive symptomatic treatment.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Intensive care unit at the Clinical Department of Neurology.

Treatment of very large cranial defects with individually shaped polypropylene polyester knitwear prostheses: a series of 11 cases.

Background: Very large cranial defects are not very common in neurosurgical practice and there is not any widely acknowledged standard of their treatment. One of the useful methods in such cases is individual forming of polypropylene-polyester knitwear. Such material was used in the past but before 2008 it was available only as standardized plates.

Analysis of KRAS and BRAF genes mutation in the central nervous system metastases of non-small cell lung cancer.

KRAS mutations are associated with tumor resistance to EGFR TKIs (erlotinib, gefitinib) and to monoclonal antibody against EGFR (cetuximab). Targeted treatment of mutated RAS patients is still considered as a challenge. Inhibitors of c-Met (onartuzumab or tiwantinib) and MEK (selumetinib-a dual inhibitor of MEK1 and MEK2) signaling pathways showed activity in patients with mutations in KRAS that can became an effective approach in carriers of such disorders.

Quantitative HER2 and p95HER2 levels in primary breast cancers and matched brain metastases.

Background: Patients with advanced breast cancer positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are at high risk for brain metastasis (BM). The prevalence and significance of expression of HER2 and its truncated form p95HER2 (p95) in BM is unknown.

Methods: Seventy-five pairs of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from matched primary breast cancers (PBCs) and BM were assayed for quantitative p95 and HER2-total (H2T) protein expression using the p95 VeraTag and HERmark assays, respectively.

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio helps predict the grade of glial tumor - a pilot study.

Unlabelled: Neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) is a recognized prognostic marker for renal, lung or colorectal carcinomas. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the preoperative value of NLCR might serve as a predictive marker for glial tumors' grading.

Methods: The retrospective analysis of NLCR was performed in neurosurgical patients treated for glial brain tumors.