Matched three-dimensional organoids and two-dimensional cell lines of melanoma brain metastases mirror response to targeted molecular therapy.

Despite advances in the treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic melanoma, melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) continues to represent a significant treatment challenge. The study of MBM is limited, in part, by shortcomings in existing preclinical models. Surgically eXplanted Organoids (SXOs) are ex vivo, three-dimensional cultures prepared from primary tissue samples with minimal processing that recapitulate genotypic and phenotypic features of parent tumors without an artificial extracellular scaffold.

A 3-Year Study Investigating the Utility of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 for Long-Term Follow-Up in Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) significantly impacts the quality of life due to three-dimensional spinal abnormalities. Patient-reported outcome measures, such as the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), play a crucial role in assessing postoperative outcomes. This study aims to investigate trends in PROMIS-29 scores over 36 months in patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar fusion for ASD and provide insights into its long-term utility.

Matched three-dimensional organoids and two-dimensional cell lines of melanoma brain metastases mirror response to targeted molecular therapy.

Purpose: Despite significant advances in the treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic melanoma, melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) continues to represent a significant treatment challenge. The study of MBM is limited, in part, by shortcomings in existing preclinical models. Surgically eXplanted Organoids (SXOs) are ex vivo, three-dimensional cultures prepared from primary tissue samples with minimal processing that recapitulate genotypic and phenotypic features of parent tumors and are grown without artificial extracellular scaffolding.

Identifying Correlation Among Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: A Study of PROMIS-29, ODI, and VAS in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.

Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is becoming increasingly common in aging populations. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self-reported patient surveys administered pre- and postoperatively that provide insight into patient improvement. We aim to compare 3 of the most utilized PROMs: PROMIS-29, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), to investigate whether they provide unique and independent assessments of patient outcomes when assessed longitudinally.

Trends of the Oswestry Disability Index in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients: A 3-Year Study.

Background: Patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) undergoing operative treatment may have varying degrees of improvement in patient-reported outcomes. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) assesses improvement in quality of life. We aim to measure longitudinal outcomes of ODI scores over 3 years to determine if early ODI scores predict late ODI scores and to analyze longitudinal changes in ODI scores.

Retropharyngeal Blastomycosis Abscess Causing Osteomyelitis, Discitis, Cervical Deformity, and Cervical Epidural Abscess: A Case Report.

Blastomycosis infection is caused by the inhalation of the spores of the dimorphic sp.fungus. While more commonly a self-limited infection of the lungs, extrapulmonary manifestations arise from hematogenous or contiguous spread.

Human plasma-like medium facilitates metabolic tracing and enables upregulation of immune signaling pathways in glioblastoma explants.

Purpose: Metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) represents an increasing area of interest to understand glioma initiation and progression. Stable isotope tracing is a technique critical to the study of tumor metabolism. Cell culture models of this disease are not routinely cultured under physiologically relevant nutrient conditions and do not retain cellular heterogeneity present in the parental TME.

Evaluating risk of recurrence in patients with meningioma.

Objective: Meningioma prognostication and treatment continues to evolve with an increasing understanding of tumor biology. In this study, the authors aimed to test conventional predictors of meningioma recurrence, histopathology variables for which there exists some controversy (brain invasion), as well as a novel molecular-based location paradigm.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of a consecutive series of patients with WHO grade I-III meningioma resected at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center between 1994 and 2015.

Transfusion Guidelines in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Currently Available Evidence.

Our study aims to provide a synthesis of the best available evidence on the hemoglobin (hgb) red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds in adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, as well as describing the risk factors and outcomes associated with RBC transfusion in this population. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess articles discussing RBC transfusion thresholds and describe complications secondary to transfusion in adult TBI patients in the perioperative period. Fifteen articles met search criteria and were reviewed for analysis.

Transfusion Guidelines in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Systematic Review and Critical Summary of Currently Available Evidence.

Objective: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is commonly indicated in brain tumor surgery due to risk of blood loss. Current transfusion guidelines are based on evidence derived from critically ill patients and may not be optimal for brain tumor surgeries. Our study is the first to synthesize available evidence to suggest RBC transfusion thresholds in brain tumor patients undergoing surgery.

Semi-Automated Computational Assessment of Cancer Organoid Viability Using Rapid Live-Cell Microscopy.

The creation of patient-derived cancer organoids represents a key advance in preclinical modeling and has recently been applied to a variety of human solid tumor types. However, conventional methods used to assess in vivo tumor tissue treatment response are poorly suited for the evaluation of cancer organoids because they are time-intensive and involve tissue destruction. To address this issue, we established a suite of 3-dimensional patient-derived glioma organoids, treated them with chemoradiotherapy, stained organoids with non-toxic cell dyes, and imaged them using a rapid laser scanning confocal microscopy method termed "Apex Imaging.

A Comparative Analysis of Frailty, Disability, and Sarcopenia With Patient Characteristics and Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective case series study.

Objectives: This study aims to compare preoperative indices, including the modified frailty index-11 (mFI-11), modified frailty index-5 (mFI-5), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and psoas muscle index (PMI), as they relate to outcomes in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

Methods: We identified 235 patients who underwent thoracolumbar ASD surgery (≥4 levels).

Neurological outcomes following awake and asleep craniotomies with motor mapping for eloquent tumor resection.

Objective: Cortical mapping has been used as a tool to ensure maximal safe resection of intracranial tumors for several decades. Post-surgical motor and language deficits, including seizures, weakness, aphasia, and dysarthria have been well-documented in patients undergoing these operations, particularly on eloquent cortical regions. However, it is not known whether awake versus asleep cortical mapping contributes to differences in postoperative neurological deficits.

Psoas Muscle Index as a Predictor of Perioperative Outcomes in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of psoas muscle mass defined sarcopenia with perioperative outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing elective spine surgery.

Methods: We included geriatric patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal surgery.

Postoperative Transfusion Guidelines in Aneurysmal Cerebral Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Critical Summary of Available Evidence.

Objective: Surgical management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often involves red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, which increases the risk of postoperative complications. RBC transfusion guidelines report on chronically critically ill patients and may not apply to patients with SAH. Our study aims to synthesize the evidence to recommend RBC transfusion thresholds among adult patients with SAH undergoing surgery.

Establishment of patient-derived organoid models of lower-grade glioma.

Background: Historically, creating patient-derived models of lower-grade glioma (LGG) has been challenging, contributing to few experimental platforms that support laboratory-based investigations of this disease. Although organoid modeling approaches have recently been employed to create in vitro models of high-grade glioma (HGG), it is unknown whether this approach can be successfully applied to LGG.

Methods: In this study, we developed an optimized protocol for the establishment of organoids from LGG primary tissue samples by utilizing physiologic (5%) oxygenation conditions and employed it to produce the first known suite of these models.

Contiguous Meningioma and B-Cell Lymphoma: A Scoping Review and Case Illustration.

Background: The diagnosis of a contiguous, synchronous meningioma and central nervous system B-cell lymphoma is rare and associated with paradoxical treatment paradigms. We performed a scoping review of contiguous meningioma and B-cell lymphoma and included an additional illustrative case.

Methods: The OVID Medline and PubMed databases were systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Large Animal Models of Glioma: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Enhanced understanding of the molecular features of glioma has led to an expansion of murine glioma models and successful preclinical studies. However, clinical trials continue to have a high cost, extended production time, and low proportion of success. Studies in large-animal models of various cancer types have emerged to bridge the translational gap between in vitro and in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials.

Economic implications of the modern treatment paradigm of glioblastoma: an analysis of global cost estimates and their utility for cost assessment.

Introduction: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Standard of care includes maximal surgical resection of the tumor followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment of glioblastoma must account for an increased disease severity and treatment intensity compared to other cancers which place a significant cost burden on the patient and health system.

Contemporary Mouse Models in Glioma Research.

Despite advances in understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of glioma, outcomes remain dismal. Developing successful treatments for glioma requires faithful in vivo disease modeling and rigorous preclinical testing. Murine models, including xenograft, syngeneic, and genetically engineered models, are used to study glioma-genesis, identify methods of tumor progression, and test novel treatment strategies.