BDNF, sHLA-G, and sTREM-1 are useful blood biomarkers for identifying grade IV glioma patients.

Inflammation and immunity belong to the main factors influencing tumor growth. In this study, we attempted to identify a profile of biomarkers associated with gliomas. We found decreased serum levels of sTREM-1 (soluble triggering receptor expressed on myelocytes) and increased levels of IL-10 in all grades of glioma patients in comparison with healthy controls (sTREM-1: grade II: p=0.

Morphological Peculiarities of the Pelvic Autonomic Nervous System and Their Impact on Clinical Interventions in the Lesser Pelvic Region.

: The aim of the work is to define the morphological peculiarities of the pelvic autonomic nervous system (ANS) and their importance in the clinical and surgical interventions in the lesser pelvis. : Anatomical variations in the formation of the pelvic ANS were observed in 20 cadavers. The study included 17 men (85%), aged 18 to 84, and 3 women, aged 27 to 86.

HLA-G 14bp Ins/Del Polymorphism, Plasma Level of Soluble HLA-G, and Association with IL-6/IL-10 Ratio and Survival of Glioma Patients.

HLA-G is an immune checkpoint molecule with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities, and its expression and level of its soluble form (sHLA-G) may play an important role in tumor prognosis. The HLA-G 14bp ins/del polymorphism and the plasma level of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) were investigated by a polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively, in 59 glioma patients. A significantly higher proportion of glioma patients had the 14 nt insert in both homozygous and heterozygous states compared to the control group.

5'URR regulatory polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing gliomas.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) belongs to non-classical MHC class I molecules that is involved in the suppression of immune response. As HLA-G plays important role in the maintenance of fetal tolerance, its overexpression has been associated with tumor progression. For the regulation of HLA-G levels, genetic variants within the 5' upstream regulatory region (5'URR) are of crucial importance.

Extradural and intradural characteristics of the cervical nerve root anomalies.

The anomalous anatomical arrangement of the cervical spinal nerve roots within the spinal canal can complicate the surgical treatment of several pathologies. This work aimed to reveal intraspinal anatomical anomalies of the extradural and also intradural cervical spinal nerve roots courses. The anatomical study was realised in 43 cadavers with a mean age of 53.

Extraordinary features of the intraspinal extradural and intradural nerve root courses.

Objectives: Very few studies have reported occasional intradural and extradural communications between adjacent nerve roots. These studies mostly focus on lumbosacral regions followed by cervical regions, and rarely in the thoracic region.

Design: The aim of this work is to point out some extraordinary extradural and intradural features of the intraspinal nerve root courses and their possible participation in radiculopathy.

Intraspinal characteristics of thoracic spinal nerve roots anomalies.

The anomalous anatomical arrangement of the thoracic spinal nerve roots within the spinal canal can complicate the surgical treatment of several pathologies. The aim of this work was to reveal intraspinal anatomical variations of the thoracic spinal nerve roots. Anatomical study on 43 cadavers with a mean age of 53.

Extradural Characteristics of the Origins of Lumbosacral Nerve Roots.

Background And Study Aims:  A great number of unsuccessful intervertebral herniated disk surgeries in the lumbosacral region have highlighted the importance of a comprehensive knowledge of the different types of nerve root anomalies. That knowledge gained by anatomical studies (and intraoperative findings) might contribute to better results. In our study we focused on intraspinal extradural lumbosacral nerve root anomalies and their possible role in radiculopathy.

Intraspinal intradural variations of nerve roots.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to point out the intraspinal anatomical variations of nerve roots and their possible participation in radiculopathy.

Methods: The anatomical study was performed in 33 cadavers. There were 25 male cadavers aged 30-75 years and 8 female cadavers aged 45-77 years, with a mean age of 46.

Intraspinal extradural variations of nerve roots.

Introduction: The aim of this work is to point out the intraspinal extradural anatomical variations of nerve roots and their possible participation in radiculopathy.

Methods: The anatomical study was performed in 33 cadavers at a mean age of 46.5 and up to 24h from death.

Recurrent craniopharyngiomas in children and adults: long-term recurrence rate and management.

Background: The significance of the majority of the factors influencing the recurrence rate (RR) of craniopharyngiomas remains unclear, and the management of this significance is controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of patient age and tumor topography on the RR, the efficacy of radiotherapy, and the safety of surgery for recurrences.

Methods: The RR was analyzed in 38 children (follow-up, 2-256 months [mean, 147.

Surgical location and anatomical variations of pudendal nerve.

Background: An objective of our work was to clarify variations in pudendal nerve formation, as well as their possible impact on the clinical picture.

Method: Bilateral pudendal nerve course and formation was studied on 20 adult cadavers. An anterior approach was used in 15 subjects, and both posterior and anterior approaches were used in five subjects.

Craniopharyngiomas in children: how radical should the surgeon be?

Purpose: Two main modes of management of craniopharyngiomas, namely, radical tumor removal and intentional incomplete removal followed by radiotherapy, are used. Recently, a half-way solution was added. Radical removal is reserved only for the tumors not involving hypothalamus.

Variation of the median nerve course and its clinical importance.

Aims And Methods: In our work we present and describe the variation of the course of the median nerve found in both upper limbs of one of the cadavers in our Institute of Anatomy (Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia) during the students' dissection of the peripheral nerves and vessels.

Results And Conclusion: This non-standard course of the median nerve was compared with a standard course described in the anatomical literature and atlases, and confronted with the variations of the median nerve found and its course described in the available literature. We also provide some clinical implications of such peripheral nerve variability because understanding such anomalies is important in the diagnosis of unexplained clinical signs and symptoms as well as during nerve blocks and certain surgical procedures around the neck and proximal arm.

Anatomical variations of lumbosacral plexus.

Basis: Deviations detected during spinal operations have motivated us to start research related to variations of lumbosacral plexus formation. Aim of this work was to find out deviations of its formation from ascension of particular roots from foramen invertebrale and foramina sacralia up to formation of terminal branches. SET: One hundred lumbosacral plexi have been examined in 50 adult cadavers for a purpose to find out an incidence of neural variations.

Peripheral nerve reconstruction by autograft.

The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to present the results achieved by microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerve injuries in the 15 years between 1985 and 1999. Sixty patients underwent 63 surgical procedures. Forty-five nerves were reconstructed by autograft in 42 patients with injuries of the upper extremities; 14 patients had lower limb peripheral nerve reconstruction.