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AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusionsThe Rotterdam Scoring System (RSS) attempts to prognosticate early mortality and early functional outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between RSS scores and long-term outcomes in patients with severe TBI.Consecutively treated patients with severe TBI enrolled between 2008 and 2011, in the prospective, observational, Brain Trauma Research Center database were included. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to measure long-term functional outcomes at three, six, 12, and 24 months. GOS scores were categorized into favorable (GOS = 4–5) and unfavorable (GOS = 1–3) outcomes. RSS scores were calculated at the time of image acquisition.Of the 89 patients included, 74 (83.4%) were male, 81 (91.0%) were Caucasian, and the mean age of the cohort was 41.9 ± 18.5 years old. Patients with an RSS score of 3 and lower were more likely to have a favorable outcome with increased survival rates than patients with RSS scores greater than 3.The RSS score determined on the head CT scan acquired at admission in a cohort of patients with severe TBI correlated with long-term survival and functional outcomes up to two years following injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effect of statins on the anti-lymphoma activity of the rituximab-based chemotherapy regimen is controversial. Here, we retrospectively reviewed patients with naïve-treated advanced diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving frontline R-CHOP, and for whom data regarding differential statins use was available at the time of initiation of treatment. We observe that patients treated with statins and R-CHOP experienced a significantly higher CR rate as compared to those who received R-CHOP only. We further show that patients receiving medium or high intensity statins and R-CHOP experienced a significantly higher CR as compared to those treated with R-CHOP. Six-year progression free survival was higher for patients who received medium or higher intensity statins as compared to low or no statins. The potential contribution of cholesterol pathway in doxorubicin sensitivity was supported by in vitro/in vivo studies. Our study suggests that targeting cholesterol-using lovastatin could be a therapeutic strategy to enhance responses to R-CHOP in DLBCL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of an increasing volume of the phase change material (PCM) and large heat transfer area have been assessed for controlling the higher surface temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) module which influences conversion efficiency and power output. For this, a bed of multi-cylindrical copper tubes filled with PCM has been prepared. The performance evaluation has been done on three different configurations such as module 'B' integrated with 91 tubes in the first configuration, module 'C' integrated with 181 in the second configuration and module 'D' integrated with 271 in the third configuration. The results obtained from three configurations are compared with the reference module (module A). All the tested panels are found to be better than the reference panel, but panel D is found to be the best configured among all tested panels, which showed the average per cent reduction of around 20.76% in the cell temperature and average per cent increment in 6.49% in conversion efficiency and 6.67% in power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Americans use smartphone-based mobile applications to acquire health information. Our study evaluated the readability of mobile application-based patient educational materials (PEMs) about five prevalent cancers in the United States. The Apple and Google mobile application marketplaces were queried for breast, colon, lung, prostate, and stomach cancer-related applications, which were subsequently screened for PEMs and assessed with 10 validated readability assessments. Twenty-one pertinent applications yielded 249 articles that were written at an 11.8 ± 2.3 grade level; only 12 (4.8%) articles were written below an eighth grade level. The majority of cancer-related PEMs were written at too difficult reading levels for American patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We have previously documented the utility of calcium phosphate cement cranioplasty following retromastoid craniectomy. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate its efficacy following a supraorbital approach for tumor resection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted of eight patients (7 female, 1 male) with anterior cranial fossa meningiomas resected via a supraorbital approach followed by cranioplasty involving adjunctive or sole use of calcium phosphate cement. Results: Cranioplasty was achieved in all patients. No patient developed an incisional leak. The cohort had a mean follow-up of approximately 3.1 months (range: 0.5-7 months) in which time no further complications were noted. No patients developed post-surgical infections. Conclusion: In our experience, a low incidence of infection or CSF leaks has been noted after the use of calcium phosphate cement retromastoid cranioplasty. Extending this technique to supraorbital craniotomies may minimize incisional CSF leak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a simulation model is developed to optimise the configuration of a hybrid photovoltaic-battery-diesel system with the objectives to minimise its Life Cycle Cost and CO2emissions from the system. The decision variables included in the optimisation model are the total area of photo voltaic arrays, number of PV modules of 600 Wp, diesel generator power and number of batteries of 24 V and 150 Ah. The model has been applied to the analysis of a hybrid power generation system for a typical commercial market consisting of 318 shops in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The optimum sizing process is verified by carrying out an appropriate sensitivity analysis. The results attained are fairly encouraging defending the applicability of the simulation model. The model developed can be utilised to determine the optimum dimensions of the hybrid PV–battery–diesel system for the locations having similar climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dynamic stabilization offers an adjunct to fusion with motion preservation. In comparison, standard instrumented fusion (if) consists of titanium screws and rods/plates, which do not allow for motion at the level of the fusion. The reported infection rate following a standard if ranges from 0.2% to 7%. Methods: a retrospective chart review of 142 patients who underwent posterior lumbar stabilization procedures was conducted. Ten patients received dynamic stabilization and 132 patients had a standard if. Rates of infection, requiring hardware removal, were compared between the aforementioned groups. Results: Of the 132 patients undergoing posterior if, three developed a deep wound infection requiring removal of hardware (2.3%). Of the 10 patients undergoing dynamic stabilization, three developed a deep wound infection (30%) with 2 requiring removal of hardware (20%), secondary to persistent deep wound infection or osteomyelitis at the pedicle screw sites. There was a significantly increased risk of deep wound infection (p < 0.0001) with the use of dynamic stabilization compared to standard if. Conclusions: Our series demonstrates that the infection rate in patients undergoing dynamic stabilization is higher than the infection rate for instrumented fusion without a significant difference in comorbidity scores. We postulate that the polycarbonate urethane spacer acts as a medium for bacteria, whereas the titanium screws and rods are smooth, solid, and inert, resulting in a lower risk of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenestrations of the posterior communicating artery (PCoA) are extremely rare. Associated aneurysms have only been documented three times in the literature, and none associated with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. We describe a 52-year-old female who presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured saccular aneurysm at the proximal limb of a fenestrated right PCoA. The patient was also found to have bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Surgical management included surmising the etiology of the subarachnoid hemorrhage with subsequent clipping of both the right PCoA and MCA aneurysm. The potential embryological mechanisms leading to a PCoA fenestration are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intracranial hypotension is a neurologic syndrome characterized by orthostatic headaches and, radiographically, by dural thickening and enhancement as well as subdural collections. Several of etiologies exist, including surgical dural violations, lumbar puncture, or spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak. Current management includes conservative management consisting of bed rest, caffeine, and hydration. When conservative management fails, open surgical or percutaneous options are considered. Currently, the gold standard in percutaneous management of intracranial hypotension involves the epidural injection of autologous blood. Recently, some therapies for intracranial hypotension have employed the use of epidural fibrin glue. Case Presentation: Two cases of patients with persistent postdural puncture headaches are presented. Epidural fibrin glue injection alleviated the orthostatic headaches of two patients with intracranial hypotension. Conclusion: Although consideration must be afforded for the potential risks of viral transmission and aseptic meningitis, the utilization of epidural fibrin glue injection as an alternative or adjunct to the epidural blood patch in the treatment of intracranial hypotension should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient and surgical risk factors have often been implicated for postoperative posterior spinal wound infection. A 56-year-old male with widely disseminated multiple myeloma presented with severe back pain and lower extremity weakness as a result of fracture and collapse of the L4 vertebral body. Posterior decompression involving bilateral pedicle resection and partial L4 corpectomy was performed. Stabilization was performed by Dynesys instrumentation of L3-5, screw supplementation with polymethylmethacrylate, and posterolateral fusion was performed. Postoperatively, the patient suffered from multiple infections, including Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, which were eventually resolved with antibiotic as well as incision and debridement treatment regimens. In cases with numerous perioperative risk factors for infections, the best therapeutic approach may be a preventative one. An understanding of the relevant risk factors may enable the physician to facilitate a perioperative condition best suited for optimal treatment. A case report of infection with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron during lumbar decompression and dynamic stabilization as well as a review of the literature regarding infection risk factors are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 59-year-old white man with multifocal cranial neuropathies. The patient was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and was treated with vemurafenib after restaging MRI demonstrated persistent diffuse disease following high-dose cytarabine along with systemic rituximab and intrathecal methotrexate. Complete response and resolution of areas of intracranial enhancement with no new areas of enhancement was observed with treatment of vemurafenib.

Rictor's role in cell migration has been first indicated in the original chemotaxis studies in Dictyostelium and more recent studies reported that rictor is required for migration of cancer cells. How rictor promotes cell migration remains poorly characterized. Based on our proteomics study we have identified a novel functional role of rictor in regulation of cell migration. Here, we discuss our recent finding that rictor by suppressing RhoGDI2 maintains activity of the Rac1/cdc42 GTPases and promotes cell migration. Our finding outlines a critical role of rictor in the regulation of RhoGDI2 activity. This study opens new avenues in the investigation of cancer metastasis by analyzing the rictor dependent post-translational modification of RhoGDI2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amalgamation of mass spectrometry (MS) and proteomics has led to the most awaited technological inventions such as discovery of clinically potential biomarkers and generation of effective drugs. This review focuses on the synergistic growth in MS instrumentation, proteomics and its impact on biomedical sciences. Novel ionization methods: surface enhanced laser desorption ionization, electrospray assisted laser desorption ionization, desorption electrospray ionization, laser diode thermal desorption are discussed. Different mass analyzers: ion trap, time-of-flight, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and their applications are outlined. New ion fragmentation techniques: electron capture dissociation, electron transfer dissociation, infrared multiphoton dissociation and their attributes are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Americans use smartphone-based mobile applications to acquire health information. Our study evaluated the readability of mobile application-based patient educational materials (PEMs) about five prevalent cancers in the United States. The Apple and Google mobile application marketplaces were queried for breast, colon, lung, prostate, and stomach cancer-related applications, which were subsequently screened for PEMs and assessed with 10 validated readability assessments. Twenty-one pertinent applications yielded 249 articles that were written at an 11.8 ± 2.3 grade level; only 12 (4.8%) articles were written below an eighth grade level. The majority of cancer-related PEMs were written at too difficult reading levels for American patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]