Efficacy and safety of shunt surgery in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus: can we predict shunt response by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that can predict the shunt responsiveness in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients and to investigate postoperative outcome and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 192 patients with iNPH who underwent shunt at our hospital between 2000 and 2021 were included to investigate complications. Of these, after exclusion, 127 (1-month postoperative follow-up) and 77 (1-year postoperative follow-up) patients were evaluated. The preoperative MRI features (the presence of tightness of the high-convexity subarachnoid space, Sylvian fissure enlargement, Evans' index, and callosal angle) of the shunt-response and nonresponse groups were compared, and a systematic review was conducted to evaluate whether preoperative MRI findings could predict shunt response. RESULTS: Postoperative complications within one month after surgery were observed in 6.8% (13/192), and the most common complication was hemorrhage. Changes in corpus callosum were observed in 4.2% (8/192). The shunt-response rates were 83.5% (106/127) in the 1-month follow-up group and 70.1% (54/77) in 1-year follow-up group. In the logistic regression analysis, only Evans' index measuring >0.4 had a significant negative relationship with shunt response at 1-month follow-up; however, no significant relationship was observed at 1-year follow-up. According to our systematic review, it is still controversial whether preoperative MRI findings could predict shunt response. CONCLUSION: Evans' index measure of >0.4 had a significant relationship with the shunt response in the 1-month follow-up group. In systematic reviews, there is ongoing debate about whether preoperative MRI findings can accurately predict responses to shunt surgery. Postoperative corpus callosal change was observed in 4.2% of iNPH patients.

Chronic osteomyelitis induced by the placement of dental implants on cemento-osseous dysplasia.

Cemento-osseous dysplasia is a well-known condition in which healthy bone becomes sclerotic. Hypovascularity of the lesion (caused by cementum-like deposits) increases the risk of secondary infection and osteomyelitis, which can also be induced by the placement of implants.

Corticotrophin-releasing factor-mediated effects of DA-9701 in Postoperative Ileus Guinea Pig Model.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ileus (POI) is abdominal surgery-induced impaired gastrointestinal (GI) motility. We aimed to investigate the effects of DA-9701, a prokinetic agent formulated from Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis tuber, likely mediated via corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) pathways, in a POI model. METHODS: A laparotomy with cecal manipulation was performed to induce POI in guinea pigs. GI transit was measured based on charcoal migration after intragastric administration of DA-9701 1, 3, and 10 mg kg-1 . CRF1 receptor antagonist, CP-154 526 (subcutaneous) or agonist, human/rat (h/r) CRF (intraperitoneal) was injected. Then, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were measured, and the average intensity of the CRF expression was analyzed in the proximal colon and hypothalamus, and c-Fos in the hypothalamus. KEY RESULTS: DA-9701 significantly increased delayed GI transit in POI in a dose-dependent manner and decreased plasma ACTH levels at 10 mg kg-1 . CP-154 526 significantly decreased plasma ACTH levels but was not as effective on GI transit as DA-9701 was. h/r CRF did not significantly affect GI transit and plasma ACTH levels. No significant difference was observed in GI transit and plasma ACTH levels in both groups administered DA-9701 with h/r CRF and h/r CRF alone. CRF expression in the proximal colon decreased after DA-9701 administration, but not significantly, compared with levels in POI alone. However, CRF expression in the hypothalamus was significantly lower in the DA-9701-pretreated POI than in the untreated POI. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: The DA-9701-induced improvement in GI transit and inhibition of plasma ACTH levels was mediated by the central CRF pathway.

Radotinib-induced lentiginosis: a report of an adverse cutaneous reaction associated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are associated with various adverse cutaneous reactions, including pigmentary changes. Radotinib is a novel and selective BCR-ABL1 TKI, which has shown activity and safety in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia resistant or intolerant to imatinib. A 69-year-old Korean man presented with lentiginosis after taking radotinib for 6 months. On histopathological examination, the numbers of melanocytes and melanin pigment were found to be increased due to c-KIT activation, consequently upregulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. This finding is in contrast to previous reports analysing the mechanisms of previously reported tyrosine kinase inhibitors inhibiting c-KIT.

CT perfusion can predict overexpression of CXCL8 (interleukin-8) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Increased angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma correlates to more aggressive tumors with increased morbidity. Because both elevated blood flow and high serum CXCL8 levels are correlated with increased angiogenesis, our objective was to see if elevated blood flow measured with CT perfusion correlated with CXCL8 levels, thereby helping to identify candidates for targeted therapies that inhibit the Bcl-2 proangiogenic pathway associated with CXCL8. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with locally recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in the trial. These patients underwent CT perfusion and the following parameters were measured: blood volume, blood flow, capillary permeability, and MTT; relative values were calculated by dividing by normal-appearing muscle. Serum was drawn for CXCL8 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis in these patients. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the CXCL8 levels and relative blood flow (r = 0.94; P = .01). No correlation was found between CXCL8 and relative blood volume, relative capillary permeability, or relative MTT. CONCLUSIONS: Relative blood flow may be useful as a surrogate marker for elevated CXCL8 in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer. Patients with elevated relative blood flow may benefit from treatment targeting the Bcl-2 proangiogenic pathways.

The synthesis of single PdAu bimetallic nanowire: feasibility study for hydrogen sensing.

Single PdAu bimetallic nanowires have been synthesized via the sequential processes of electrochemical deposition and dielectrophoresis (DEP). In the first step, Pd/Au grains on predefined Au electrodes were grown by electrochemical deposition and could assist effectively the formation of a single PdAu nanowire with a good directionality by the subsequent DEP process. The synthesized PdAu nanowires have an average of approximately 10 at.% of Pd, a good resistance of a few hundred Omega, diameters of 300 nm on average and lengths of up to 15 microm. Based on the single PdAu nanowire, hydrogen detection was demonstrated in the range from 100 to 2500 ppm.