Testosterone Deficiency and Risk of Cognitive Disorders in Aging Males.

Cognitive impairment and dementia are predicted to undergo a dramatic increase in the following years with more than 131.5 million people being affected by 2030. Although vascular diseases play the most important role in the pathogenesis of memory impairment in aging men, some pre-clinical and clinical evidence has suggested a possible contribution of the age-dependent reduction of testosterone (T).

In vitro and in vivo trans-epidermal water loss evaluation following topical drug delivery systems application for pharmaceutical analysis.

The measurement of Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) allows to evaluate the integrity of Stratum Corneum Epidermis (SCE) barrier after topical application of colloidal nanocarriers by using a non-invasive method. The temporarily modifications of SCE lipids are important for the passage of colloidal nanocarriers across the skin; this passage causes a modification of TEWL values. Niosomes, ethosomes®, and transfersomes® are used as topical drug delivery systems due to their biopharmaceutical properties, and capability to permeate intact through the SCE.

The definition of neuronopathic Gaucher disease.

Neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD) has a very wide clinical and genotypic spectrum. However, there is no consensus definition of nGD, including no description of how best to diagnostically separate the acute form-Gaucher type 2-from the subacute or chronic form-Gaucher type 3. In this article, we define the various forms of Gaucher disease with particular emphasis on the presence of gaze palsy in all patients with nGD.

Association Between Gait, Cognition, and Gray Matter Volumes in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Controls.

Aims: To assess the correlation between cognitive functioning and 3 gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride length) in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively healthy controls and investigate linear correlations between gait and gray matter volumes.

Materials And Methods: Participants were recruited at IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy (MCI=43; age-matched controls=43). Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

External Validation of the ELAPSS Score for Prediction of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Growth Risk.

Background And Purpose: Prediction of intracranial aneurysm growth risk can assist physicians in planning of follow-up imaging of conservatively managed unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We therefore aimed to externally validate the ELAPSS (Earlier subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm Location, Age, Population, aneurysm Size and Shape) score for prediction of the risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth.

Methods: From 11 international cohorts of patients ≥18 years with ≥1 unruptured intracranial aneurysm and ≥6 months of radiological follow-up, we collected data on the predictors of the ELAPSS score, and calculated 3- and 5-year absolute growth risks according to the score.

A Rare Case of Supratentorial Cavernous Angioma Associated with Arterialized Developmental Venous Anomaly.

The association of cavernous malformations and developmental venous anomalies (DVA) is well known, but the presence of arterial fistulous connection with the main venous collector has been reported in the literature only once. We report the unusual case of a hemorrhagic cavernous angioma associated with DVA characterized by a fine arterial supply to the main venous collector. During surgery, after the excision of the cavernous angioma, few small arterial feeders were found entering the main channel of the venous developmental anomaly.

Evaluation of the effects of liraglutide on the development of epilepsy and behavioural alterations in two animal models of epileptogenesis.

Liraglutide (LIR) is a novel long-lasting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that facilitates insulin signalling and shows also neuroprotective properties in different brain disease models. In this study, we explored the potential antiepileptogenic effects of LIR in two different animal models; namely, the mouse intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) model of temporal lobe epilepsy and the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epileptogenesis. Moreover, we evaluated LIR effects on comorbidities in various behavioural tests.

Effect of Ambroxol chaperone therapy on Glucosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb1) levels in two Canadian patients with type 3 Gaucher disease.

Type 3 Gaucher disease (GD3) is characterized by progressive neurological features in addition to the typical systemic manifestations. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the main stay treatment for Gaucher disease (GD), is not efficacious for the neurological manifestations. Ambroxol, in combination with ERT has been suggested to have potential as a promising therapy for patients with GD3.

Tentorial Venous Anatomy: Cadaveric and Radiographic Study with Discussion of Origin and Surgical Significance.

Background: Described variations of tentorial venous anatomy impact surgical sectioning of the tentorium in skull base approaches; however, described configurations do not consistently explain postoperative complications. To understand the outcomes of 2 clinical cases we studied the tentorial venous anatomy of 2 cadavers.

Methods: The venous anatomy of the tentorium isolated in 2 uninjected fresh cadaver head specimens with preserved bridging veins was observed by transillumination before and after methylene blue injection of the dural sinuses and tentorial veins.

An update on heart disease risk associated with testosterone boosting medications.

Introduction: The cardiovascular (CV) safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) remains a crucial issue in the management of subjects with late-onset hypogonadism. The authors systematically reviewed and discussed the available evidence focusing our analysis on heart-related issues.

Areas Covered: All the available data from prospective observational studies evaluating the role endogenous T levels on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were collected and analyzed.

Impact of Metabolically Healthy Obesity in Patients with Andrological Problems.

Background: Although the pathogenic role of metabolically complicated obesity (MCO) in erectile dysfunction (ED), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and male infertility has been widely studied, that of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) has been poorly investigated.

Aim: To assess the role of MHO in the pathogenesis of ED, prediction of MACE, and male reproductive health.

Methods: A consecutive series of 4,945 men (mean age, 50.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Sexual Symptoms.

Background: Several data have clearly shown that the endocrine system-and androgens in particular-play a pivotal role in regulating all the steps involved in the male sexual response cycle. Accordingly, testosterone (T) replacement therapy (TRT) represents a cornerstone of pharmacologic management of hypogonadal subjects with erectile dysfunction.

Aim: The aim of this review is to summarize all the available evidence supporting the role of T in the regulation of male sexual function and to provide a comprehensive summary regarding the sexual outcomes of TRT in patients complaining of sexual dysfunction.

Development and validation of the ID-EC - the ITALIAN version of the identify chronic migraine.

Background: Case-finding tools, such as the Identify Chronic Migraine (ID-CM) questionnaire, can improve detection of CM and alleviate its significant societal burden. We aimed to develop and validate the Italian version of the ID-CM (ID-EC) in paper and as a smart app version in a headache clinic-based setting.

Methods: The study investigators translated and adapted to the Italian language the original ID-CM questionnaire (ID-EC) and further implemented it as a smart app.

A case of Niemann-Pick disease type C with neonatal liver failure initially diagnosed as neonatal hemochromatosis.

Background: Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is a lysosomal lipid storage disease with mutation of NPC1/NPC2 genes, which transport lipids in the endosome and lysosome, and various neurological symptoms. NPC patients also develop hepatosplenomegaly or liver disorder in the neonatal period, and 10% suffer severe liver failure. Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a liver disorder characterized by hepatic and extrahepatic siderosis.

Immunohistochemical Grading of Epidural Fibrosis with CD105 Antibody.

Objective: Grading of epidural fibrosis (EF) is usually performed by histopathologic staining in experimental studies. Immunohistochemical methods for grading are not available in routine practice yet. In our study, the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA), a commonly used hemostatic agent in surgical interventions, was evaluated for use against the development of EF with classical histopathologic methods and immunohistochemistry using the CD105 antibody, a marker of angiogenesis.

Morphometric Analysis of the Effects of Manuka Honey on Vasospastic Femoral Arteries in Rats: An Experimental Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if Manuka honey, a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, had any effect on the development of vasospasm in an experimental subarachnoidal hemorrhage model constructed in rat femoral arteries.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar Albino strain rats were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 was the control group (n=8), Group 2 was the vasospasm group (n=8), and group 3 was the treatment group (n=8). The wall thickness (W) of the femoral arteries and the luminal diameter (L) were measured using morphometric methods.

Suboccipital Lateral Approach for Resection of Cerebellopontine Angle Meningioma: Operative Video and Technical Nuances.

We present the case of a 34-year-old woman, who presented to our department with a 4 months history of dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus on the right side. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan demonstrated a large extra-axial lesion, suggestive of a meningioma, with dural attachments to the petrosal bone surface and tentorium, closely related with the trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, and lower cranial nerves in the right side. Treatment options were discussed with the patient, and surgical resection was selected to remove the lesion, and decompress the cranial nerves and brainstem.

Impact of sorafenib on epidural fibrosis: An immunohistochemical study.

Aim: To determine if sorafenib, an antineoplastic agent, could prevent the development of spinal epidural fibrosis (EF).

Methods: The study used CD105 and osteopontin antibodies in an immunohistochemical approach to quantify EF that occurred as a consequence of laminectomy in rats. Wistar albino rats ( = 16) were divided into two groups: control (L1-2 level laminectomy only) and sorafenib treatment (L1-2 level laminectomy + topical sorafenib).

Insight into epileptic and physiological déjà vu: from a multicentric cohort study.

Background And Purpose: The presence of a continuum between physiological déjà vu (DV) and epileptic DV is still not known as well as epidemiological data in the Italian population. The aim was to identify the epidemiological distribution of DV in Italy, and secondly to look for specific features of DV able to discriminate between epileptic and non-epileptic DV.

Methods: In all, 1000 individuals, 543 healthy controls (C) (313 women; age 40 ± 15 years) and 457 patients with epilepsy (E) (260 women; age 39 ± 14 years), were prospectively recruited from 10 outpatient neurological clinics throughout Italy.

Phenotypic variability of Niemann-Pick disease type C including a case with clinically pure schizophrenia: a case report.

Background: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder with severe prognosis. Disease-specific therapy is crucial to prevent disease progression; however, diagnosing NPC is quite difficult because of remarkably variable clinical presentations. The NPC Suspicion Index (NPC-SI) was developed to overcome this problem.

The Prevalence of Cerebrovascular Abnormalities Detected in Various Diagnostic Subgroups of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Modern Era.

Objective: To determine prevalence of cerebrovascular abnormalities in diagnostic subgroups of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a regional neurosurgical center in the modern era.

Methods: Data of 609 consecutive patients with spontaneous SAH in a 3-year period (August 2010 to August 2013) were prospectively collected. Patients were divided into 3 diagnostic subgroups: computed tomography (CT) positive for SAH; CT negative but positive cerebrospinal fluid examination by spectrophotometry for SAH; CT negative for SAH and inconclusive cerebrospinal fluid examination.

Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder and Melatonin Secretion Impairment in a Patient With Pineal Cyst.

We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with a wide non-compressive pineal cyst, associated with the inability to control her sleep-wake schedule. Actigraphic monitoring showed a 24-hour free-running disorder (tau 26.96 hours).

Ultrasound assisted awake epilepsy surgery for type IIB focal cortical dysplasia in eloquent areas.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIb is a frequent cause of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. However, intraoperative identification of the pathological tissue still remains a challenge despite the use of neuronavigation, particularly when it lies in eloquent areas. We here report a case of intraoperative identification of a right frontal FCD type IIB through ultrasound assisted neuronavigation during awake surgery in a patient with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Advanced morphological neuroimaging study in lateral temporal lobe epilepsy: A multicentric study.

Lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (lTLE) is a rare condition characterized by auditory auras or receptive aphasia, negative MRI, and relatively benign evolution. With the low number of cases in the world, our objective was to analyze a cohort of sporadic cases with lTLE (slTLE), in order to investigate possible cerebral morphological alterations. Forty patients with lTLE (34.