Prognostic Factors and Nomogram for Malignant Brainstem Ependymoma: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify prognostic factors and develop a nomogram for survival in patients with brainstem ependymoma.

Methods: Data of 652 patients diagnosed with brainstem ependymoma extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to examine factors influencing overall survival (OS).

Endoscope-assisted transcranial surgery for complex pituitary adenoma: a retrospective case series study with propensity score matching.

Surgical treatment of complex pituitary adenomas (PAs) presents a significant challenge. Here in, we compared the surgical outcomes between patients undergoing endoscope-assisted transcranial surgery and microscopic regimens to assess the safety and efficacy of endoscope-assisted transcranial surgery in treating complex PA. This retrospective case-control study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China.

Microsurgical Management of Pineal Region Tumors.

Background: Pineal tumors are rare, and the pineal region is a challenging surgical location for neurosurgeons. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microsurgical management in patients with pineal region tumors and explore probable factors associated with preoperative hydrocephalus, postoperative hydrocephalus remission, and prolonged hospital length of stay (LoS).

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with pineal region tumors who underwent microsurgical management at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (Jiangsu, China) between 1 January 2010 and 31 October 2022 was conducted.

Visual field improvement after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma.

Purpose: To analyze and predict the possibility of visual field (VF) recovery after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) in patients with pituitary adenoma, we investigated the factors affecting the improvement of the visual field defect (VFD) and built a nomogram predictive model based on these risk factors. We further investigated specific recovery regions of VF associated with the improvement of VFD.

Methods: The clinical data of patients who underwent ETSS for pituitary adenomas at a single center between the January 2021 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Purpose: In the past few decades, acromegaly and colonic polyps have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Previous studies highlighted the importance of serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly.

Methods: We reviewed studies on serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly, published on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Chinese databases from January 1, 1966, to May 8, 2022.

A facile method to prepare a versatile surface coating with fibrinolytic activity, vascular cell selectivity and antibacterial properties.

Clot and thrombus formation on surfaces that come into contact with blood is still the most serious problem for blood contacting devices. Despite many years of continuous efforts in developing hemocompatible materials, it is still of great interest to develop multifunctional materials to enable vascular cell selectivity (to favor rapid endothelialization while inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation) and improve hemocompatibility. In addition, biomaterial-associated infections also cause the failure of biomedical implants and devices.

Tamoxifen as an effective neuroprotectant against early brain injury and learning deficits induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage: possible involvement of inflammatory signaling.

Background: Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has successfully been used to treat several animal models of brain injury, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of tamoxifen on the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)- and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-related inflammatory signaling pathway and secondary brain injury in rats after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group (n = 28); (2) SAH group (n = 28); (3) SAH + vehicle group (n = 28); and (4) SAH + tamoxifen group (n = 28).

Potential contribution of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, aquaporin-4, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 to blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The current research aimed to investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and cerebral edema formation in a rat subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. The SAH model was induced by injection of 0.3 ml fresh arterial, non-heparinized blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in 20 s.

Melatonin activates the Nrf2-ARE pathway when it protects against early brain injury in a subarachnoid hemorrhage model.

Melatonin has beneficial effects against early brain injury (EBI) by modulating cerebral oxidative stress after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, few investigations relate to the precise underlying molecular mechanisms. To date, the relation between melatonin and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway has not been studied in SAH models. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of melatonin on Nrf2-ARE pathway in rats after SAH.