Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in different grades of glioma.

Aim: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations play an important role in the multistep processes of cancer development. Gliomas are among the most diagnosed brain cancer. The relationship between mtDNA alterations and different grades of gliomas are still elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the profile of somatic mtDNA mutations in different grades of gliomas and correlate it with clinical phenotype. Materials & methods: Forty histopathologically confirmed glioma tissue samples and their matched blood were collected and subjected for mtDNA sequencing. Results & conclusion: About 75% of the gliomas harbored at least one somatic mutation in the mtDNA gene, and 45% of these mutations were pathogenic. Mutations were scattered across the mtDNA genome, and the commonest nonsynonymous mutations were located at complex I and IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. These findings may have implication for future research to determine the mitochondrial energetics and its downstream metabolomics on gliomas.

Safety and Use of MLC601/MLC901 (NeuroAiDTM) in Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Cohort Study from the NeuroAiD Safe Treatment Registry.

BACKGROUND: MLC601/MLC901 (NeuroAiD™) is a combination of natural products shown to be safe and to aid neurological recovery after brain injuries, especially ischemic stroke. Few studies have investigated NeuroAiD in primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The NeuroAiD Safe Treatment (NeST) Registry explores NeuroAiD use in the real-world setting. This cohort study aimed to assess its use and safety in ICH. METHODS: The online NeST Registry of subjects with ICH given NeuroAiD prospectively collected clinical data at baseline and monthly visits (V) 1 to 3. Outcome measures included compliance, side effects, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test (SOMCT). RESULTS: Sixty-six subjects were included. NeuroAiD was well-tolerated with fair compliance over three months. Two non-serious side effects were reported. Mean scores significantly improved on all outcome scales. The proportion of subjects with favorable outcomes significantly improved from baseline to V3: NIHSS 0-4, from 12% to 59% (p < 0.0001); GCS 13-15, from 64% to 88% (p = 0.007); mRS 0-1, from 9% to 37% (p = 0.004); and SOMCT score 0-8, from 44% to 68% (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: NeuroAiD in the real-world setting was safe and showed potential for a sustained positive effect on neurological recovery after ICH.

Now You See, Now You Don't: A Case Of Spontaneous Regression of Pituitary Tumour.

Spontaneous regression of pituitary tumours are rare and can be due to tumour ischaemia, pituitary apoplexy, or lymphocytic hypophysitis. We report a case of a 32-year-old female, who presented with symptoms and signs of extrasellar pituitary enlargement and hypothyroidism. MRI revealed a pituitary mass that spontaneously regressed after a month, with complete resolution of symptoms. Not all pituitary tumours require surgical intervention especially in the case of autoimmune lymphocytic hypophysitis.

An Unusual Case of the Successful Treatment of Carbapenem-resistant Ventriculitis with Intravenous Colistin.

Ventriculitis is a well-documented complication of ventriculostomy, which is difficult to treat and is associated with high rates of mortality. There is a growing trend of resistance among many organisms, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, in particular, to most antibiotics with the exception of colistin. It is thought that colistin has poor blood-brain barrier penetration; therefore, in cases of ventriculitis, it is preferentially administered via the intrathecal or intraventricular route. These routes, in turn, risk introducing infections, which may perpetuate the problem. We report a case of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ventriculitis, which was treated successfully with intravenous colistin monotherapy.