bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antivasospastic and antiinflammatory effects of caspase inhibitor in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Iseda Keiichi , Ono Shigeki , Onoda Keisuke , Satoh Motoyoshi , Manabe Hiroaki , Nishiguchi Mitsuhisa , Takahashi Kenji , Tokunaga Koji , sugiu Kenji , Date Isao 
Published: January 2008

Object
Inflammation in the subarachnoid space and apoptosis of arterial endothelial cells have been implicated in the development of delayed cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The authors investigated mechanisms of possible antivasospastic effects of N-benzyl-oxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), a caspase inhibitor that can inhibit both inflammatory and apoptotic systems, in animal models of SAH.

Methods
Rabbits were assigned to three groups of eight animals each and were subjected to SAH by injection of blood into the cisterna magna. The experiments were performed in the following groups: SAH only, SAH + vehicle, and SAH + Z-VAD-FMK. The Z-VAD-FMK (1 mg) or vehicle (5% dimethyl sulfoxide) was intrathecally administered before SAH induction. Diameters of the basilar artery (BA) were measured on angiograms obtained before and 2 days after SAH. The BA diameter on Day 2 was expressed as a percentage of that before SAH. Interleukin (IL)–1β in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined using Western blotting, and brains were immunohistochemically examined for caspase-1 and IL-1β. In a separate experiment, 20 rats were subjected to SAH and their brains were immunohisto-chemically assessed for caspase-1, IL-1β, and macrophages.

Results
In rabbits, Z-VAD-FMK significantly attenuated cerebral vasospasm (the BA diameter on Day 2 in SAH-only, SAH + vehicle, and SAH + Z-VAD-FMK groups was 66.6 ± 3.2%, 66.3 ± 3.7%, and 82.6 ± 4.9% of baseline, respectively), and suppressed IL-1β release into the CSF and also suppressed immunoreactivities of caspase-1 and IL-1β in macrophages infiltrating into the subarachnoid space. Immunoreactivities for caspase-1 and IL-1β were observed in immunohistochemically proven infiltrating macrophages in rats.

Conclusions
These results indicate that caspase activation may be involved in the development of SAH-induced vasospasm through inflammatory reaction.
Axillary nerve repair by triceps motor branch transfer through an axillary access: anatomical basis and clinical results
Authors: Bertelli Jayme Augusto , Kechele Paulo Roberto , Santos Marcos Antonio , Duarte Hamilton , Ghizoni Marcos Flávio 
Published: January 2008

Object
Grafting or nerve transfers to the axillary nerve have been performed using a deltopectoral approach and/or a posterior arm approach. In this report, the surgical anatomy of the axillary nerve was studied with the goal of repairing the nerve through an axillary access.

Methods
The axillary nerve was bilaterally dissected in 10 embalmed cadavers to study its variations. Three patients with axillary nerve injuries then underwent surgical repair through an axillary access; the axillary nerve was repaired by transfer of the triceps long head motor branch.

Results
At the lateral margin of the subscapularis muscle, the axillary nerve was found in the center of a triangle bounded medially by the subscapular artery, laterally by the latissimus dorsi tendon, and cephalad by the posterior circumflex humeral artery. At the entrance of the quadrangular space, the axillary nerve divisions were loosely connected to each other, and could be clearly separated and correctly identified. Surgery for the axillary nerve repair through the axillary access was straightforward. Eighteen months after surgery, all three patients had recovered deltoid strength to a score of M4 on the Medical Research Council scale and had improved abduction strength by 50%. No deficit was evident in elbow extension.

Conclusions
The axillary nerve and its branches can be safely dissected and repaired by triceps motor nerve transfer through an axillary access.
Accuracy of ventriculostomy catheter placement using a head- and hand-tracked high-resolution virtual reality simulator with haptic feedback
Authors: Banerjee P. Pat , Luciano Cristian J. , Lemole G. Michael , Charbel Fady T. , Oh Michael Y. 
Published: January 2008

Object
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ventriculostomy catheter placement on a head- and hand-tracked high-resolution and high-performance virtual reality and haptic technology workstation.

Methods
Seventy-eight fellows and residents performed simulated ventriculostomy catheter placement on an ImmersiveTouch system. The virtual catheter was placed into a virtual patient's head derived from a computed tomography data set. Participants were allowed one attempt each. The distance from the tip of the catheter to the Monro foramen was measured.

Results
The mean distance (± standard deviation) from the final position of the catheter tip to the Monro foramen was 16.09 mm (± 7.85 mm).

Conclusions
The accuracy of virtual ventriculostomy catheter placement achieved by participants using the simulator is comparable to the accuracy reported in a recent retrospective evaluation of free-hand ventriculostomy placements in which the mean distance from the catheter tip to the Monro foramen was 16 mm (± 9.6 mm).
Reduction of intractable deafferentation pain due to spinal cord or peripheral lesion by high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex
Authors: Saitoh Youichi , Hirayama Azuma , Kishima Haruhiko , Shimokawa Toshio , Oshino Satoru , Hirata Masayuki , Tani Naoki , Kato Amami , Yoshimine Toshiki 
Published: January 2008

Object
The authors previously reported that navigation-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the precentral gyrus relieves deafferentation pain. Stimulation parameters were 10 trains of 10-second 5-Hz TMS pulses at 50-second intervals. In the present study, they used various stimulation frequencies and compared efficacies between two types of lesions.

Methods
Patients were divided into two groups: those with a cerebral lesion and those with a noncerebral lesion. The rTMS was applied to all the patients at frequencies of 1, 5, and 10 Hz and as a sham procedure in random order. The effect of rTMS on pain was rated by patients using a visual analog scale.

Results
The rTMS at frequencies of 5 and 10 Hz, compared with sham stimulation, significantly reduced pain, and the pain reduction continued for 180 minutes. A stimulation frequency of 10 Hz may be more effective than 5 Hz, and at 1 Hz was ineffective. The effect of rTMS at frequencies of 5 and 10 Hz was greater in patients with a noncerebral lesion than those with a cerebral lesion.

Conclusions
High-frequency (5- or 10-Hz) rTMS of the precentral gyrus can reduce intractable deafferentation pain, but low-frequency stimulation (at 1 Hz) cannot. Patients with a noncerebral lesion are more suitable candidates for high-frequency rTMS of the precentral gyrus.
Influence of light fluence rate on the effects of photodynamic therapy in an orthotopic rat glioma model
Authors: Angell-Petersen Even , Spetalen Signe , Madsen Steen J. , Sun Chung-Ho , Peng Qian , Carper Stephen W. , Sioud Mouldy , Hirschberg Henry 
Published: January 2008

Object
Failure of treatment for high-grade gliomas is usually due to local recurrence at the site of resection, indicating that a more aggressive local therapy could be beneficial. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a local treatment involving the administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing drug, in this case aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The effect depends on the total light energy delivered to the target tissue, but may also be influenced by the rate of light delivery.

Methods
In vitro experiments showed that the sensitivity to ALA PDT of BT4C multicellular tumor spheroids depended on the rate of light delivery (fluence rate). The BT4C tumors were established intracranially in BD-IX rats. Microfluorometry of frozen tissue sections showed that photosensitization is produced with better than 200:1 tumor/normal tissue selectivity after ALA injection. Four hours after intraperitoneal ALA injection (125 mg/kg), 26 J of 632 nm light was delivered interstitially over 15 (high fluence rate) or 90 (low fluence rate) minutes. Histological examination of animals treated 14 days after tumor induction demonstrated extensive tumor necrosis after low-fluence-rate PDT, but hardly any necrosis after high-fluence-rate treatment. Neutrophil infiltration in tumor tissue was increased by PDT, but was similar for both treatment regimens. Low-fluence-rate PDT administered 9 days after tumor induction resulted in statistically significant prolongation of survival for treated rats compared with nontreated control animals.

Conclusions
Treatment with ALA PDT induced pronounced necrosis in tumors only if the light was delivered at a low rate. The treatment prolonged the survival for tumor-bearing animals.
Antitumor efficacy improved by local delivery of species-specific endostatin
Authors: Huszthy Peter C. , Brekken Christian , Pedersen Tina B. , Thorsen Frits , Sakariassen Per Øystein , Skaftnesmo Kai Ove , Haraldseth Olav , Lønning Per Eystein , Bjerkvig Rolf , Enger Per Øyvind 
Published: January 2008

Object
Conflicting results have been reported concerning the antitumor efficacy of the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin. This may be due to differences in the biological distribution of endostatin between studies or to the varying biological efficacies of the different protein forms that were examined. To address this issue, the authors used a local delivery approach in which each tumor cell secreted endostatin, providing uniform endostatin levels throughout the tumors. This allowed a direct assessment of the biological efficacy of soluble endostatin in vivo.

Methods
The authors genetically engineered BT4C gliosarcoma cells so that they would stably express and secrete either the human or murine form of endostatin. Endostatin-producing cells or mock-infected cells were implanted intracerebrally in syngeneic BD-IX rats. The antitumor efficacy of endostatin was evaluated on the basis of survival data and tumor volume comparisons. In addition, microvascular parameters were assessed.
The authors confirmed the continuous release of endostatin by the BT4C cells. A magnetic resonance imaging–assisted comparison of tumor volumes revealed that local production of murine endostatin significantly inhibited tumor growth. Notably, 40% of the animals in this treatment group experienced long-term survival without histologically verifiable tumors 7 months after cell implantation. After local treatment with murine endostatin, tumor blood plasma volumes were reduced by 71%, microvessel density counts by 84%, and vascular area fractions by 75%. In contrast, human endostatin did not inhibit tumor growth significantly in this model. Centrally located regions of necrosis were present in tumors secreting both the human and the murine species-specific form of endostatin.

Conclusions
The results suggest that endostatin inhibits tumor angiogenesis in vivo in a species-specific manner.
Reduced expression of the transporter associated with antigen processing 1 molecule in malignant glioma cells, and its restoration by interferon-γ and -β
Authors: Satoh Eiji , Mabuchi Tadashi , Satoh Hiroki , Asahara Takayuki , Nukui Hideaki , Naganuma Hirofumi 
Published: January 2008

Object
It remains unclear whether malignant glioma cells can deliver tumor antigens efficiently to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I molecules. To elucidate the mechanism of antigen presentation in malignant gliomas, the authors examined the expression of the transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1), which transports antigens to MHC Class I molecules, and low-molecular-mass polypeptide 2 (LMP2), which is a subunit of a proteasome. They also analyzed the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ and IFN-β on the expression of these molecules.

Methods
Five glioma cells expressed undetectable or very low levels of TAP1 protein and did not express TAP1 messenger (m)RNA. Normal brain tissue and glioma tissue specimens also showed undetectable levels of TAP1 protein and the same levels of LMP2 protein as lymphoblastoid B cells. Treatments of the tumor cells with IFN-γ or -β enhanced the expression of both TAP1 protein and mRNA as well as the expression of MHC Class I molecules. The expression of LMP2 protein was not altered by the IFN treatments. The authors analyzed structural alterations in the TAP1 promoter region in eight malignant glioma cell lines. Single nucleotide polymorphism was found in 446 bp upstream of the translation start site of the TAP1 gene, and a point mutation was found in 34 bp upstream of the TAP1 gene.

Conclusions
Malignant glioma cells may be less immunogenic due to low levels of TAP1 expression. Upregulated expression of TAP1 and MHC Class I molecules by IFN-γ and -β may enhance antigen presentation in malignant glioma cells.
The impact of genotype on outcome in oligodendroglioma: validation of the loss of chromosome arm 1p as an important factor in clinical decision making
Authors: Kanner Andrew A. , Staugaitis Susan M. , Castilla Elias A. , Chernova Olga , Prayson Richard A. , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Stevens Glen , Peereboom David , Suh John , Lee Shih-Yuan , Tubbs Raymond R. , Barnett Gene H. 
Published: January 2008

Object
Oligodendrogliomas are rare primary brain tumors. They comprise approximately 5 to 33% of all glial tumors but differ from astrocytomas by being associated with a more favorable prognosis, making their correct identification important. Allelic loss of chromosome arms 1p and 19q is found in a substantial subpopulation of tumors with an oligodendroglioma phenotype. Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas with allelic loss of 1p have been associated with chemosensitivity and a longer patient survival period.

Methods
Oligodendroglial neoplasms were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens; reference and target probe sets were used to map the telomeric regions of 1p and 19q. The results were correlated with the clinical characteristics of patients treated at our institution between 1993 and 2003.
Data obtained in 96 patients were analyzed. This included 63 patients (65.6%) with World Health Organization (WHO) Grade II oligodendroglioma, 22 (23%) with Grade III oligodendroglioma, and 11 (11.4%) with mixed oligoastrocytoma. Analysis of 1p in patients with pure oligodendroglioma revealed a loss of 1p in 42 patients (49.4%). In 46 of these patients 19q was lost and in 70 (82.3%) there was concordance for combined loss or retention of both 1p and 19q (p < 0.0001). Patients with oligodendroglioma in whom a loss of 1p was present fared significantly better, and this outcome was unrelated to the treatment modality or WHO grade, compared with patients in whom 1p was intact (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
To the authors’ knowledge, this study includes the largest published series of WHO Grade II oligodendroglioma and 1p analysis. The results suggest that the association between long-term survival and 1p loss in oligodendroglioma is unrelated to treatment. The authors of further prospective studies may better determine the true value of the allelic loss of 1p and its implication for clinical decision making.
Cranial surgery with an expanded compact intraoperative magnetic resonance imager
Authors: Schulder Michael , Salas Sussan , Brimacombe Michael , Fine Peter , Catrambone Jeffrey , Maniker Allen H. , Carmel Peter W. 
Published: January 2008

✓In this article the authors report the implementation of an expanded compact intraoperative magnetic resonance (iMR) imager that is designed to overcome significant limitations of an earlier unit.
The PoleStar N20 iMR imager has a stronger magnetic field than its predecessor (0.15 tesla compared with 0.12 tesla), a wider gap between magnet poles, and an ergonomically improved gantry design. The additional time needed in the operating room (OR) for use of iMR imaging and the number of sessions per patient were recorded. Stereotactic accuracy of the integrated navigational tool was assessed using a water-covered phantom.
Of the 55 patients who have undergone surgery in the PoleStar N20 device, diagnoses included glioma in 13, meningioma in 12, pituitary adenoma in nine, other skull base lesions in seven, and miscellaneous other diagnoses. The extra time required for use of the system averaged 1.1 hours (range 0.5–2 hours). Imaging sessions averaged 2.3 per surgery (range one–six sessions).
Measurement of stereotactic accuracy revealed that T1-weighted images were the most accurate. Thinner slices yielded measurably greater accuracy, although this was of questionable clinical significance (all sequences ≤ 4 mm had a mean error of ≤ 1.8 mm). The position of the phantom in the center compared with the periphery of the magnetic field did not affect accuracy (mean error 0.9 mm for each).
The PoleStar N20 appears to make intraoperative neuroimaging with a low-field-strength magnet much more practical than it was with the first-generation device. Greater ease of positioning resulted in a decrease in added time in the OR and encouraged a larger number of imaging sessions.
Predominance of cellular edema in traumatic brain swelling in patients with severe head injuries
Authors: Marmarou Anthony , Signoretti Stefano , Fatouros Panos P. , Portella Gina , Aygok Gunes A. , Bullock M. Ross 
Published: January 2008

Object
The edema associated with brain swelling after traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been thought to be vasogenic in origin, but the results of previous laboratory studies by the authors have shown that a cellular form of edema is mainly responsible for brain swelling after TBI. In this study the authors used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques to identify the type of edema that occurs in patients with TBI.

Methods
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging was used to evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in 44 patients with TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale Score < 8) and in eight healthy volunteers. Higher ADC values have been associated with vasogenic edema, and lower ADC values with a predominantly cellular form of edema. Regional measurements of ADC in patients with focal and diffuse injury were computed. The water content of brain tissue was also assessed in absolute terms by using MR imaging to measure the percentage of water per gram of tissue. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using stable Xe–computerized tomography (CT) studies to rule out ischemia as a cause of cellular edema.
The mean ADC value in the healthy volunteers was 0.82 ± 0.05 × 10−3 mm2/second. The ADC values in the patients with diffuse brain injury without swelling were close to the mean for the healthy volunteers. In contrast, the patients with brain swelling had increased brain water content and low ADC values (mean 0.74 ± 0.05 × 10−3 mm2/second). The ADC values correlated with CT classifications. In all patients with low ADC values, the CBF values were outside the range for ischemia.

Conclusions
The brain swelling observed in patients with TBI appears to be predominantly cellular, as signaled by low ADC values in brain tissue with high levels of water content.
Predictive value of initial computerized tomography scan, intracranial pressure, and state of autoregulation in patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hiler Magdalena , Czosnyka Marek , Hutchinson Peter , Balestreri Marcella , Smielewski Peter , Matta Basil , Pickard John D. 
Published: January 2008

Object
The authors explored the relationship between computerized tomography (CT) scan findings and intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements obtained in the first 24 hours of monitoring to identify parameters predicting outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods
Intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and pressure reactivity index were measured continuously in 126 patients with severe TBI who were admitted to a neuroscience critical care unit. Mean values in the initial 24 hours of monitoring and in the total period of monitoring were compared with types of injury categorized on the basis of the initial CT scan according to the classification of Marshall, et al., and with Glasgow Outcome Scale scores.
The initial CT scan classification correlated significantly but weakly with ICP measured during the first 24 hours of monitoring (p = 0.036) but not with mean ICP over the total time of intensive care. Both midline shift and the ratio of frontal horn diameter to internal diameter correlated with ICP in the first 24 hours (p < 0.007) and with ICP over the total monitoring period (p < 0.03). Outcome score correlated with initial CT scan findings (p = 0.018), ICP over the total monitoring period (p < 0.0023), pressure reactivity over the total monitoring period (p < 0.0002), and pressure reactivity in the first 24 hours (p < 0.0001) but not with ICP in the first 24 hours. Patients with disturbed pressure reactivity in the first 24 hours after injury had a significantly higher mortality rate than patients with intact pressure reactivity (28.6% compared with 9.5%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Patients with severe TBI who have early loss of autoregulation have a worse prognosis. Mean ICP values in patients with diffuse TBI cannot be predicted by using the Marshall CT scan classification.
Bruns syndrome caused by intraventricular neurocysticercosis treated using flexible endoscopy
Authors: Torres-Corzo Jaime , Vecchia Roberto Rodriguez-Della , Rangel-Castilla Leonardo 
Published: January 2008

Object
Neurocysticercosis is the most frequent cause of hydrocephalus in adults in regions where the disease is endemic, including Latin America. The prognosis for intraventricular neurocysticercosis is worse than that for the intraparenchymal form of the disease, making treatment especially important. Although active and viable intraventricular cysts produce no reaction in the host, they can cause noncommunicating hydrocephalus, whose onset is frequently abrupt. Sometimes the increasing intracranial pressure due to obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct (ball-valve mechanism) is intermittent, producing relapsing/remitting symptoms; this life-threatening phenomenon is called “Bruns syndrome.”

Methods
Between 1996 and 2004, among a group of 285 patients with neurocysticercosis and Bruns syndrome caused by cysticercal cysts of the third ventricle was diagnosed in seven patients by using magnetic resonance imaging. An endoscopic procedure with a flexible cerebral endoscope was performed, intact parasitic cysts were removed, and a complete exploration was undertaken to look for more cysticercal cysts in the whole ventricular system and the subarachnoid basal cisterns. There were no deaths or complications. All seven patients were asymptomatic during a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 5 years.

Conclusions
Flexible cerebral endoscopy allows one, in a minimally invasive manner, to approach the ventricular system and subarachnoid basal cisterns and to remove intraventricular neurocysticercal cysts. Flexible endoscopy is an alternative treatment for Bruns syndrome caused by neurocysticercosis of the third ventricle.