Medical Journals

Making Information Stick: Patient-centered Conversation Aids to Support Retention of Information in Outpatient Anesthesia Consultations.

Authors: Mary C Politi, Justin Knittel

Managing Hyperkalemia amid Supramassive Hemorrhage and Transfusion.

Authors: George P Zhou, Megan Garland, Seolhyun Lee, Amy Kloosterboer, Natalie K Smith, Martin S Angst

Intercostal versus Erector Spinae in Thoracoscopy: Comment.

Authors: Lin Luo, Jing Gong

Intercostal versus Erector Spinae in Thoracoscopy: Comment.

Authors: Mauricio Forero, Rami A Kamel

Intercostal versus Erector Spinae in Thoracoscopy: Reply.

Authors: Steve Coppens, Danny F Hoogma, Steffen Rex

Improving quality of care for patients with high-grade glioma and their informal caregivers: Insights from focus groups with healthcare professionals.

Authors: Tomás Gómez Vecchio, Ingela Henoch, Ramona Schenell, Stina Nyblom, Anneli Ozanne

BACKGROUND: There is a concerning prevalence of unmet needs affecting both patients with high-grade glioma and their informal caregivers. By exploring the experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in regional and municipal services, this study aims to identify barriers and enablers in improving the quality of care for patients with...

Prognostic associations of steroid use in patients with glioblastoma: A population-based study.

Authors: Yasmin Abdel Moneim, Patrick Roth, Michael Weller, Dorothee Gramatzki

BACKGROUND: Steroids are broadly used in patients with brain tumors. A possible detrimental association of corticosteroid treatment with outcome in patients with glioblastoma has been reported but not explored on a population level. METHODS: Clinical data, including corticosteroid use and related complications, of 223 patients diagnosed with isocitrate...

Natural history study of adults with primary central nervous system tumors: Initial results for first 1000 participants.

Authors: Kimberly R Robins, Hope Miller, Michelle L Cassidy, Vivian A Guedes, Ewa Grajkowska, Tricia Kunst, Anna Choi, Alvina Acquaye-Mallory, Marta Penas-Prado, Jennifer Reyes, Kenneth Aldape, Mark R Gilbert, Elizabeth Vera, Terri S Armstrong

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system tumors (PCNST) are rare, understudied tumors for which knowledge of their clinical course, biology, physical, and psychological impact is limited. The National Cancer Institute's Neuro-Oncology Branch Natural History Study was developed to better understand the long-term disease course and outcomes experienced by...

The effectiveness of targeted therapy in the treatment of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis and vestibular schwannomas: A systematic review.

Authors: Hala Rahman, Mithum Senaratne, Mona Ajal Loueian, Ajay Kausheic Madhusuthanan, Maryam Afzal, Diana Turuzhbaeva, Ann Kashmer D Yu

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) is a rare genetic tumor syndrome causing progressive neurological morbidity. This systematic review evaluates current evidence on the effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of these treatments, primarily in vestibular schwannomas. METHODS: This systematic review followed...

Comparison of temporal muscle indices for survival prediction in patients with glioblastoma: Prognostic value, accuracy and reliability.

Authors: Emilia K Pesonen, Otso Arponen, Jaakko Niinimäki, Nicole Hernández, Lasse Pikkarainen, Sami Tetri, Tommi K Korhonen

BACKGROUND: Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) and cross-sectional area (TMA) are readily available estimates of whole-body muscle mass. Low TMT and TMA have been associated with increased mortality in various neurological diseases. Several measurement protocols for TMT and TMA exist, but their reproducibility, accuracy, and prognostic value have not been...

Buprenorphine for the treatment of pain in patients with central nervous system tumors: A case series.

Authors: John Y Rhee, Paul Miller, Alexander Finnemore, Zachary Tentor, Brigitte Durieux, Loredana Diana Ardeljan, Charlotta Lindvall, Katie Fitzgerald Jones, Zachary Sager

BACKGROUND: Patients with CNS tumors have high rates of chronic cancer pain and headache but are more sensitive to cognitive and sedation side effects from full-opioid agonists. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, offers potential advantages over full agonist opioids but real-world insights on prescribing patterns is lacking. This study examines...

Tumor boundary delineation in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma: A prospective comparative analysis of 11C-MET PET and FLAIR MRI in surgical decision-making.

Authors: Maria Pia Tropeano, Zefferino Rossini, Andrea Pizzi, Ettore Bresciani, Andrea Franzini, Beatrice Claudia Bono, Pierina Navarria, Elena Clerici, Matteo Simonelli, Marta Scorsetti, Letterio Salvatore Politi, Federico Pessina

BACKGROUND: Supramaximal resection (SUPR) in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) aims to improve survival by extending resection beyond contrast-enhancing lesions into non-enhancing FLAIR-hyperintense regions. The role of metabolically guided resection with 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (11C-MET PET) as an alternative approach has not been...

Characterizing pediatric CNS tumors in Nigeria: A systematic review.

Authors: Joshua Woo, Luciana M Santillana Linares, Sean C Holden-Kapshuck, Haley G Kieny, Nicholas Kendall, Temitayo O Ayantayo, Brady K Browning, Zoey Petitt, Elizabeth Blackwood, Bamidele O Adebayo, Olufemi E Idowu, Amos O Adeleye, Matthew T...

BACKGROUND: Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has the highest incidence of central nervous system (CNS) tumors on the continent, yet faces limited access to neuro-oncology care, particularly for pediatric patients. Given the sparse literature on pediatric neuro-oncology in the country, this study provides an epidemiologic overview of the...

BRAF-MEK inhibition in a giant BRAF-mutant Rathke cleft cyst: Diagnostic challenges and clinical implications for BRAF testing.

Authors: Bertrand Baussart, Delphine Leclercq, Carine Courtillot, Florence Coulet, Suzanne Tran, Ahmed Idbaih, Chiara Villa

BACKGROUND: Rathke cleft cysts are benign sellar lesions with a substantial risk of postoperative recurrence. In contrast to papillary craniopharyngiomas, oncogenic BRAF mutations are exceptionally reported in Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs), and the therapeutic relevance of targeted inhibition remains unknown. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-y-old man presented with a giant...

Living with brain metastases-A longitudinal qualitative study of patient experiences from time of diagnosis.

Authors: Tonje Lundeby, Asta Bye, Olav Eric Yri, Torunn Elin Wester, Nina Aass, Sjur Bjørnar Hanssen, Stein Kaasa, Marianne Jensen Hjermstad

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are prevalent intracranial neoplasms in adults, affecting 20%-40% of cancer patients. With improved systemic therapies and neuroimaging, the frequency of BM diagnoses is rising. Despite advancements and longer survival time, the prognosis remains poor, with survival rates ranging from 3 months to over a year, depending on...

EZHIP and H3K27me3 are useful diagnostic markers for germinoma and for the germinoma component of germ cell tumors of central nervous system.

Authors: Lu Han, Zeliang Hu, Lihong Zhao, Lianghong Teng, Leiming Wang

BACKGROUND: Differentiating central nervous system (CNS) germinomas from other germ cell tumors (GCTs) is diagnostically challenging. EZHIP (EZH Inhibitory Protein, encoded by CXorf67) and H3K27me3 (trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 27) are widely used in diagnosing posterior fossa group A (PFA) ependymomas, their expression in germinomas remains poorly...

When the cure becomes the curse: Radiation-induced glioma of the pons in children surviving craniopharyngioma.

Authors: Rahat Ul Ain, Hamza S Gorsi, Celine Habre, Andrea Bartoli, Sebastien Tran, Rabia A Qaiser, Laeeq Ur Rehman, Steven R Miller, Eric Bouffet, André O von Bueren

BACKGROUND: The standard of care for pediatric craniopharyngioma (CP) is either complete surgical resection or limited debulking surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Recent data favor the latter approach. METHODS: We present a multi-center case series of three children with CP treated with subtotal surgery and adjuvant RT for CP who eventually...

Primary central nervous system lymphoma-current standards and recent developments.

Authors: Matthijs Van Der Meulen, Joost S P Vermaat, Norbert Galldiks, Samar Issa, Jeroen De Bresser, Jeanette K Doorduijn, Jacoline E C Bromberg

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma confined to the central nervous system, without systemic involvement. The incidence has increased over the past 3 decades. The prognosis has improved in patients up to 70 years old, and this type of lymphoma can be potentially cured. The gold standard of...

Functional outcome after repeat surgery of tumor progression or treatment-associated changes in high-grade glioma: Clinical and radiological predictors.

Authors: Anouk M de Jong, Maud E Kortman, Maarten W Kreek, Christina M Flies, Aline P Becker, Matthijs van der Meulen, Filip Y F L de Vos, Jan-Willem Dankbaar, Joost J C Verhoeff, Pierre A J T Robe, Tom J Snijders

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of high-grade glioma after primary treatment is inevitable. New contrast-enhancing lesions on follow-up MRI may indicate tumor progression, treatment-associated changes (TAC), or both. A repeated surgical procedure, either biopsy or resection, provides diagnostic clarity and therapeutic benefit, but carries risks. In the...

Tectal gliomas with "low-grade appearance": Natural history on MR imaging.

Authors: Danial Nasiri, Lara Imwinkelried, Philipp Becker, Andreas Raabe, Philippe Schucht, Franca Wagner, Levin Häni

BACKGROUND: Tectal gliomas (TGs) are often indolent, but heterogeneous study populations in prior cohorts yielded ambiguous results concerning their natural history. We analyzed the natural history of TGs with low-grade appearance on MR imaging. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed TGs treated at our institution between 2010 and 2023. We included any...

Promoting physical activity in glioma patients: Insights from Dutch healthcare professionals.

Authors: Marieke E C Blom, Maxine Gorter, Philip C de Witt Hamer, Johanna M Niers, Judith G M Jelsma, Martin Klein, Linda Douw

BACKGROUND: Although physical activity may play a significant role in enhancing quality of life for glioma patients, its integration into clinical care remains underexplored. This study assessed the experiences, perspectives, and barriers of healthcare professionals in promoting physical activity for glioma patients. METHODS: An online survey with 19...

Patient perspectives on diagnostic uncertainty and novel diagnostic tests in neuro-oncology.

Authors: Veerle J Ruijters, Marloes M Bauer, Nelleke Tolboom, Tatjana Seute, Leonie N C Visser, Tom J Snijders

BACKGROUND: In the follow-up of glioma patients, differentiating treatment-associated changes from tumor progression on MRI is challenging. In the Netherlands, this diagnostic uncertainty often leads to watchful waiting, delayed treatment, and patient distress. So far, research on new diagnostic tests has primarily focused on accuracy, while patient...

Symptom burden in young adult brain tumor survivors: Key intervention targets based on patient-reported outcome network analyses.

Authors: Charlotte Sleurs, Floortje Mols, Laurien De Roeck, Rhodé M Bijlsma, Suzanne E J Kaal, Jacqueline M Tromp, Monique E M M Bos, Tom van der Hulle, Ann Hoeben, Janine Nuver, Mathilde C M Kouwenhoven, Winette T A van der Graaf, Olga Husson

BACKGROUND: A brain tumor can lead to functional impairment, which is particularly concerning for adolescents and young adults (AYA). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have typically been examined as isolated domains, rather than as covarying symptoms. This study modeled PRO networks, symptom clustering, and topology among AYA oncology survivors. METHODS:...

A multi-institutional report of children with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor treated with intensive multimodal therapy.

Authors: Ashley S Margol, Lindsey M Hoffman, Rebecca Ronsley, Jane Tran, Jemily Malvar, Yueh-Yun Chi, Sarah Leary, Jeffrey Stevens, Kelly E Faulk, Ralph Salloum, Sara Clair Hutchins, Clara Wu, Natasha Pillay Smiley, Ana Aguilar, Migdalia Martinez,...

BACKGROUND: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare pediatric central nervous system tumor with little data on the efficacy of upfront treatment strategies. This study reports prognostic factors and survival of children with newly diagnosed ATRT at high-volume centers treated as per the Children's Oncology Group trial ACNS0333. METHODS: Data were...

Development of an automated landmarking tool for the femur in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans using contour-based image analysis.

Authors: Edward M Chu, Jonathan D Adachi, Cheryl E Quenneville

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that significantly increases fracture risk and imposes a growing public health and economic burden. Notably, hip fractures are associated with high mortality, long-term disability, and loss of independence. When evaluating osteoporosis and estimating fracture risk, DXA is commonly used to determine the BMD. To capture...

Carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome in Chinese with negative HLA-A*3101 and HLA-B*1502 genes: A case report.

Authors: Zidan Yang, Jimin Lu, Fan Yang

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe, potentially life-threatening disease primarily induced by medications, which often involves lesions of the oral mucosa, eyes and skin. Its pathogenesis is partially associated with genetic factors. The present study reported a case of SJS following oral administration of carbamazepine (CBZ). A total of ~2 weeks...

Assessment of biliary tree anatomy and its clinical implications.

Authors: Wafaa Mahmoud, Naser Obeidat, Hadeel Al-Jarrah, Ahmad Alrawashdeh, Abdulla Mohammed, Ala Abu Dalou, Saad Mahmoud

Anatomical variations in the intrahepatic duct (IHD) and cystic duct (CD) are common, and their accurate identification is essential for preoperative planning. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of biliary ductal variations using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), to explore the association between IHD and CD and to evaluate...

Shift of antibiotic resistance after the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the INVIFAR Network.

Authors: Elvira Garza-González, Fabian Rojas-Larios, María Del Rosario Vázquez-Larios, Melissa Hernández-Durán, José Manuel Feliciano-Guzman, Christian Daniel Mireles-Davalos, Bernardo Alfonso Martínez-Guerra, Adolfo Gomez-Quiroz, Jesus Alfonso...

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated temporal changes in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective surveillance study that included clinically significant isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria collected across Mexico between January 2019 and...

Impact in production costs resulting from the adoption of interventions to reduce antimicrobials in pig production in Europe: findings from EU-project AVANT.

Authors: João S Afonso, Chantal M Morel, Anouschka Middelkoop, Joas Priem, Francesc Molist, Mathieu Gloaguen, Arnaud Buchet, Gunner Sørensen, Sally V Hansen, Jens P Nielsen, Luca Guardabassi, Jonathan Rushton

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat, with antimicrobial use recognized as a key driver. The post-weaning period is one of the most antimicrobial-intensive phases in pig production. This study assessed the impact on production costs of feed-based and immunomodulatory interventions designed to reduce antimicrobial use in...

A case of neurofibromatosis type 1 with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and metastatic pheochromocytoma.

Authors: Kotaro Umamoto, Masaki Uchihara, Kanako Tanase-Nakao, Akika Hyodo, Masashi Kubota, Akiyo Tanabe

A 58-year-old man had multiple cutaneous neurofibromas since childhood; however, these were not evaluated. Two months prior, he developed bloody sputum and cough. Computed tomography revealed multiple masses throughout the body, including bilateral adrenal glands. The right adrenal mass was diagnosed as a pheochromocytoma via biopsy. The urinary...

Current Technical Skills Assessment Tools in Otolaryngology Residency: A Scoping Review.

Authors: Vanessa Helou, Alexandria Harris, Jenny Kim, Khalil Baddour, Nanki Hura, Kevin J Contrera, Noel Jabbour

OBJECTIVE: To review and synthesize the literature on technical skills assessment tools in otolaryngology residency programs. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar was performed from inception to January 2025. REVIEW METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, studies reporting on technical skills assessment tools in...

Cardio-Protective Effect of GLP-1 Agonists in OSA Patients: A Study of Cardiovascular Risk.

Authors: Morgan Lane, Alex Jin, Boston Andersen, Alec Kadrie, Sage Hebert, Evan Thomson, M Boyd Gillespie

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly associated with obesity and often results in significant cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular outcomes in OSA patients treated with GLP-1 agonists (GLP1a) versus CPAP. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis using TriNetX datasets (2014-2024) compared cardiovascular...

Necrotic Features in Post-Radiation Nasopharyngeal Biopsies Associated With Carotid Blowout.

Authors: Shan-Chi Yu, Chun-Nan Chen, Mei-Chun Lin, Tseng-Cheng Chen, Cheng-Ping Wang, Tsung-Lin Yang, Pei-Jen Lou

OBJECTIVES: Post-radiation nasopharyngeal biopsies in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are primarily performed to exclude recurrence, yet their utility in assessing radiotoxicity remains underexplored. This study characterizes two distinct histological patterns of necrosis: coagulative stromal necrosis (Type A) and microscopic...

Commercial graphene oxides show distinct suitability for silver-nanocomposite formation and antibiofilm activity and cytocompatibility.

Authors: Thamyres Freire da Silva, Francisco Fábio Pereira de Souza, Thiago Alves de Moura, Luciano Ferreira de Almeida, Maria Rosiene Antunes Arcanjo, Antônio Gomes de Souza Filho, Adriano Lincoln Albuquerque Mattos, Juan Antonio Cecilia, Enrique...

Graphene oxide (GO)-silver nanocomposites are promising antimicrobial coatings for medical devices, yet differences among commercial GO sources can strongly affect synthesis and biological behavior. In this study, four commercial GO samples (B1-B4) were systematically evaluated as precursors for GO with silver nanocomposites (GOAg), focusing on...

Hyaluronic acid: biological functions, production strategies, and clinical applications.

Authors: Alireza Ghassemi, Behina Bazghandi, Reyhaneh Saadat Rezaee Asl, Ramin Raoufinia, Shima Farrokhi, Ehsan Saburi

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan with broad biological significance and extensive applications in medicine, biotechnology, and aesthetics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HA, focusing on its molecular structure, physicochemical properties, and biological functions that underpin its diverse therapeutic...

Real-time electrical impedance analysis of graphene oxide cytotoxicity in human epithelial lung cells.

Authors: Myrella Nobre, Ekeveliny Veschi, Diego Wiechers, Jéssica Luzardo, Karoline Martins, Joyce Araújo, José Mauro Granjeiro

PURPOSE: Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising two-dimensional nanomaterial (NM) due to its unique physicochemical properties, yet concerns persist regarding its potential cytotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic response of GO in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells using real-time cell analysis (RTCA), a label-free impedance-based method,...

Lab-on-a-chip-compatible graphene oxide coatings via SAW atomization for supporting cell proliferation.

Authors: Olga V Balachova, Andrea C Dorion Rodas, Sergey M Balashov, Daniel D da Purificação, Luciana D Trino Albano, Caio C de Lima Silva, Gabriel C Kokkonias E Castro, Juliana K M Barboza Daguano

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of graphene oxide (GO) film coatings, obtained via surface acoustic wave (SAW) atomization, on in vitro fibroblast proliferation on glass and gold-coated glass substrates, compared with optimal reference conditions in tissue culture-treated (TC-treated) plates. METHODS: Fibroblast monolayers (FM) were cultured on...