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In 1868, French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot coined the term multiple sclerosis (MS) after his observation that numerous white matter (WM) glial scars felt like sclerotic tissue. Nowadays, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can generate images with contrast of stiffness (CS) in soft in vivo tissues and may therefore be sensitive to MS lesions, provided that sclerosis is indeed a mechanical signature of this disease. We analyzed CS in a total of 147 lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, compared with control regions in contralateral brain regions, and phantom data as well as performed numerical simulations to determine the delineation limits of multifrequency MRE (20 - 40 Hz) in MS. MRE analysis of simulated waves revealed a delineation limit of approximately 10% CS for detecting 9-mm lesions (mean size in our patient population). Due to inversion bias, this limit is reached when true CS is -11% for soft and 35% for stiff lesions. In vivo MRE identified 35 stiffer lesions and 17 softer lesions compared with surrounding WM (mean stiffness: 934��82 Pa). However, a similar pattern was found in the contralateral brain, suggesting that the range of stiffness changes in WM lesions due to MS is within the normal range of WM variability and normal heterogeneity-related CS. Consequently, Charcot's original intuition that MS is a focal sclerotic disease can neither be dismissed nor confirmed by in vivo MRE. However, the observation that MS lesions do not markedly differ in stiffness from surrounding brain tissue suggests that marked tissue sclerosis is not a mechanical signature of MS. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) was named by J.M. Charcot after the sclerotic changes in brain tissue he found in post-mortem autopsies. Since then, nothing has been revealed about the actual stiffening of MS lesions in vivo. Studying the viscoelastic properties of plaques in their natural environment is a major challenge that can only be overcome by MR elastography (MRE). Therefore, we used multifrequency MRE to answer the question whether MS lesions in patients with a relapsing-remitting disease course are mechanically different than surrounding tissue. Our findings suggest that the range of stiffness changes in white matter lesions due to MS is within the normal range of white matter variability and in vivo tissue sclerosis might not be a mechanical signature of MS.

The changes in brain perfusion and oxygenation in critical illness, which are thought to contribute to brain dysfunction, are unclear due to the lack of methods to measure these variables. We have developed a technique to chronically measure cerebral tissue perfusion and oxygen tension in unanesthetized sheep. Using this technique, we have determined the changes in cerebral perfusion and Po2 during the development of ovine sepsis. In adult Merino ewes, fiber-optic probes were implanted in the brain, renal cortex, and renal medulla to measure tissue perfusion, oxygen tension (Po2), and temperature, and flow probes were implanted on the pulmonary and renal arteries. Conscious sheep were infused with live Escherichia coli for 24 h, which induced hyperdynamic sepsis; mean arterial pressure decreased (from 85.2 ± 5.6 to 71.5 ± 8.7 mmHg), while cardiac output (from 4.12 ± 0.70 to 6.15 ± 1.26 L/min) and total peripheral conductance (from 48.9 ± 8.5 to 86.8 ± 11.5 mL/min/mmHg) increased ( n = 8, all P < 0.001) and arterial Po2 decreased (from 104 ± 8 to 83 ± 10 mmHg; P < 0.01). Cerebral perfusion tended to decrease acutely, although this did not reach significance, but there was a significant and sustained decrease in cerebral tissue Po2 (from 32.2 ± 10.1 to 18.8 ± 11.7 mmHg) after 3 h and to 22.8 ± 5.2 mmHg after 24 h of sepsis ( P < 0.02). Sepsis induced large reductions in both renal medullary perfusion and Po2 but had no effect in the renal cortex. In ovine sepsis, there is an early decrease in cerebral Po2 that is maintained for 24 h despite minimal changes in cerebral perfusion. Cerebral hypoxia may be one of the factors causing sepsis-induced malaise and lethargy.

Background Accurate CNS tumor diagnosis can be challenging, and methylation profiling can serve as an adjunct to classify diagnostically difficult cases. Methods An integrated diagnostic approach was employed for a consecutive series of 1258 surgical neuropathology samples obtained primarily in a consultation practice over 2-year period. DNA methylation profiling and classification using the DKFZ/Heidelberg CNS tumor classifier was performed, as well as unsupervised analyses of methylation data. Ancillary testing, where relevant, was performed. Results Among the received cases in consultation, a high-confidence methylation classifier score (>0.84) was reached in 66.4% of cases. The classifier impacted the diagnosis in 46.7% of these high-confidence classifier score cases, including a substantially new diagnosis in 26.9% cases. Among the 289 cases received with only a descriptive diagnosis, methylation was able to resolve approximately half (144, 49.8%) with high-confidence scores. Additional methods were able to resolve diagnostic uncertainty in 41.6% of the low-score cases. Tumor purity was significantly associated with classifier score (P = 1.15e−11). Deconvolution demonstrated that suspected glioblastomas (GBMs) matching as control/inflammatory brain tissue could be resolved into GBM methylation profiles, which provided a proof-of-concept approach to resolve tumor classification in the setting of low tumor purity. Conclusions This work assesses the impact of a methylation classifier and additional methods in a consultative practice by defining the proportions with concordant vs change in diagnosis in a set of diagnostically challenging CNS tumors. We address approaches to low-confidence scores and confounding issues of low tumor purity.

Tumor detection from Brain MRI images Abstract: Detecting tumors in the human brain has become the most challenging medical science issue. Recognition of tumors in MRIs is vital as it offers the aberrant relevant data for therapeutic interventions. MRI includes details on malignant tissue. An abnormal tissue growing and multiplying in the brain is a brain tumor. Physical examination is the standard approach for brain tumor identification, which takes much time and is not accurate every time. So, automated brain tumor identification methods are establishing to save time. Image segmentation utilizes to detect the brain's abnormal portion, which gives the tumor's location. This work uses the UNETS with VGG16 weights model to see and segment tumors from the rest of the brain tissue. The accurate detection of the tumors helps reduce the delay between diagnostic testing and therapy. Therefore, there is a significant demand for computer algorithms to be precise, speedy, time-efficient, and dependable. The technology described relates to detecting and analyzing brain cancers automatically via U-Net and the VGG16 CNN.

Background. The purpose of this research is to optimize the methods for diagnosis of diabetic encephalopathy based on the study of indicators of cerebrovascular hemodynamics, functional state of the brain, metabolic disorders and morphological characteristics of the brain tissue. Materials and methods . A comprehensive survey was carried out in 537 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), including 342 (63.7 %) persons with type 1 DM, and 195 (36.3 %) — with type 2 DM. Results . The article presents data on the integrated study of clinical, metabolic and functional indicators as risk factors for diabetic encephalopathy. Their diagnostic significance is argued. On the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the obtained data, which expanded the view on the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy, the priority of metabolic disorders was confirmed. Diagnostic criteria of diabetic encephalopathy were established and its mathematical model was developed. Conclusions . The availa­bility of informative indicators identified will allow the doctor to diagnose diabetic encephalopathy at the early stages or to predict its development and to detect at the preclinical stage.

Objectives To investigate the hypothesis that language recovery in post‐stroke aphasia is associated with structural brain changes. Methods We evaluated whether treatment‐induced improvement in naming is associated with reorganization of tissue microstructure within residual cortical regions. To this end, we performed a retrospective longitudinal treatment study using comprehensive language‐linguistic assessments and diffusion MRI sequences optimized for the assessment of complex microstructure (diffusional kurtosis imaging) to evaluate the relationship between language treatment response and cortical changes in 26 individuals with chronic stroke‐induced aphasia. We employed elastic net statistical models controlling for baseline factors including age, sex, and time since the stroke, as well as lesion volume. Results We observed that improved naming accuracy (Philadelphia Naming Test) was statistically associated with increased post‐treatment microstructural integrity in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus. Moreover, increase in microstructural integrity in the left middle temporal gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus was specifically associated with a decrease in semantic paraphasias. This longitudinal relationship between brain tissue integrity and language improvement was not observed in other non‐language related brain regions. Interpretation Our findings provide evidence that structural brain changes in the preserved left hemisphere regions are associated with treatment‐induced language recovery in aphasia and are part of the mechanisms supporting language and brain injury recovery.

Background Inadequate antibiotic exposure in cerebral infections might have detrimental effects on clinical outcome. Commonly, antibiotic concentrations within the CSF were used to estimate cerebral target levels. However, the actual pharmacological active unbound drug concentration beyond the blood–brain barrier is unknown. Objectives To compare meropenem concentrations in blood, CSF and cerebral microdialysate of neurointensive care patients. Patients and methods In 12 patients suffering subarachnoid haemorrhage, 2000 mg of meropenem was administered every 8 h due to an extracerebral infection. Meropenem concentrations were determined in blood, CSF and cerebral microdialysate at steady state (n = 11) and following single-dose administration (n = 5). Results At steady state, the free AUC0–8 was 233.2 ± 42.7 mg·h/L in plasma, 7.8 ± 1.9 mg·h/L in CSF and 26.6 ± 14.0 mg·h/L in brain tissue. The brain tissue penetration ratio (AUCbrain/AUCplasma) was 0.11 ± 0.06, which was more than 3 times higher than in CSF (0.03 ± 0.01), resulting in an AUCCSF/AUCbrain ratio of 0.41 ± 0.16 at steady state. After single-dose administration similar proportions were achieved (AUCbrain/AUCplasma = 0.09 ± 0.08; AUCCSF/AUCplasma = 0.02 ± 0.00). Brain tissue concentrations correlated well with CSF concentrations (R = 0.74, P Conclusions Meropenem achieves sufficient bactericidal concentrations for the most common bacterial strains of cerebral infections in both plasma and brain tissue, even in non-inflamed brain tissue. CSF concentrations would highly underestimate the target site activity of meropenem beyond the blood–brain barrier.

The interaction of explosion-induced blast waves with the head (i.e., a direct mechanism) or with the torso (i.e., an indirect mechanism) presumably causes traumatic brain injury. However, the understanding of the potential role of each mechanism in causing this injury is still limited. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized the changes in the brain tissue of rats resulting from the direct and indirect mechanisms at 24 h following blast exposure. To this end, we conducted separate blast-wave exposures on rats in a shock tube at an incident overpressure of 130 kPa, while using whole-body, head-only, and torso-only configurations to delineate each mechanism. Then, we performed histopathological (silver staining) and immunohistochemical (GFAP, Iba-1, and NeuN staining) analyses to evaluate brain-tissue changes resulting from each mechanism. Compared to controls, our results showed no significant changes in torso-only-exposed rats. In contrast, we observed significant changes in whole-body-exposed (GFAP and silver staining) and head-only-exposed rats (silver staining). In addition, our analyses showed that a head-only exposure causes changes similar to those observed for a whole-body exposure, provided the exposure conditions are similar. In conclusion, our results suggest that the direct mechanism is the major contributor to blast-induced changes in brain tissues.

Attainment of micro-neurosurgical skills is a challenge in teaching hospitals throughout training. Models that mimic the workflow as well as haptics are time-consuming, expensive, and unsuitable to serve as a routine platform. Our objective was to present a model and a set of tasks, based on a hard-boiled egg, microscope, and a Cavitron ultrasonic aspirator (CUSA; Integra Lifesciences Corp., Tullamore, Ireland), which is cheap, easy to setup and can be used for training microsurgery and CUSA skills, required for removal of deep-seated tumors.The goal was to remove the egg yolk from within a hard-boiled egg, representing an intrinsic brain tumor, surrounded by the egg's white, representing adjacent brain tissue, while preserving it. Assessment was based on the yolk's exposure, completeness of removal, and collateral damage and task completion duration, with repeated trials (n = 4), for validation purposes, for 6 operators with different experience levels.Improvement in overall score (mean of 47.5 ± 19 in the first trial vs. 80.0 ± 12 in the fourth trial, P0.01), and task duration completion (mean initial duration of 21:25 ± 4:52 minutes to 15:30 ± 5:17 minutes, P0.01) was observed. Parameters gradually improved on repeated attempts, and experience level of the operators correlated with scores.The egg model is an easy-to-handle, cheap model that enables the acquisition of basic micro-neurosurgical skills and basic workflow required for removing of intrinsic brain tumors. This study has validated and defined reproducible tasks that can be scored, correlated with performance. This model can be incorporated into a resident's routine and potentially provide an accessible training platform for neurosurgical trainees.

A novel corona virus (SARS-COV-2) started to spread around the world eventually being declared as a global pandemic crisis by WHO in March,2020. Total number of cases have reached to a staggering 140 million by 17th April, 2021 with sad demise of 4 million of the world population. A few number of patients appear to be suffering from cardiac conductive abnormalities have been noted to be associated with SARS-CoV-2. This case unfolds story of a cardiogenic delirium induced by COVID-19. It’s a roller coaster journey of a 62-year -old gentleman presenting with acute delirium which was later found to be due to low brain tissue perfusion resulting from complete heart block. After ruling out all possible causes for the sudden development of complete heart block we came into conclusion of association of SARS-CoV-2 in the development of complete heart block which retrospectively lead the gentleman to become delirious.

In this study, we aimed to observe the effects of Loofah cylindrica (LC) extract on learning and memory ability, brain tissue morphology, and immune function of aging mice. Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into a control group, a positive control group, an aging group, and three dose groups. Three dose groups were administered 187.5, 375, and 750 mg/kg of LC extract, respectively. Except for the control group, the mice in any other group were continuously subcutaneously injected d-galactose on the back and neck. Platform tests and Morris water maze (MWM) were adopted to test the learning and memory ability of each group. The brain index, thymus index, and spleen index of each group were determined by the organ-to-body ratio method. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the concentration of cytokines interleukin 2 and interferon gamma and the proliferation activity of T lymphocytes in mouse serum. In addition, the hematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to observe the morphological changes in mouse brain tissues of each group. The results show that the aging group made more errors in the platform test, had longer escape latency, shorter swimming time in the platform quadrant, and fewer platform crossings in the MWM; much fewer brain tissue cells; and smaller brain index, thymus index, and spleen index. The LC extracts (375 and 750 mg/kg) can significantly antagonize the changes in the above indices. It can be concluded that LC extract can improve the learning and memory of aging mice, enhance their immune activity, and delay the aging process.

Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are frequent incidental findings and may be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Usually growth of the ACs with pressure on adjacent brain tissue is regarded as cause of the symptoms. This study was undertaken to identify if and which ACs grow with time. We used a large database of cranial MRIs for a retrospective analysis. During a period of 10 years, we collected 166 ACs of 50 persons, mean observational period was 2.5 years. Among these, only larger cysts at the temporal pole, i.e., Galassi II ACs, grew with a rate of 0.3 ml a year (β = 0.32, SE 0.07, p = 0.003); all other ACs remained constant in size or became smaller. All cysts were clinically silent. Most ACs remain constant in size or become smaller. This study provides Class III evidence that the majority of arachnoid cysts does not grow.

A comparative study of the structural characteristics of microvessels with a perivascular arrangement of tumor cells and microvessels with normal structure located in the peritumoral zones of an intracranially implanted glioblastoma ("glioma C6") was conducted. The study was performed on rats. Morphometric method was used to determine the area, internal diameter and length of microvessels for 21 days after the introduction of tumor cells into the brain of rats. Changes in the structure of microvessels with glioblastoma cells were registered throughout the entire observation period. The active role of perivascularly located tumor cells in the transformation of the structure and properties of microvessels involved in the process of glioblastoma invasion into brain tissue is considered. Key words: glioblastoma, microvessels, morphometry, peritumoral zones.

Background: Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a pivotal task in forensic investigations. Methods relied on PM biochemical alteration of the compounds such as cadaverine (Cad) and putrescine (Put) can provide more accurate data about the exact PMI. Aim: To investigate the correlation between Cad and Put levels in human brain tissue, measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and the PMI, to see if they can be used as reliable indicators for PMI estimation. Methodology: Brain specimens were taken during autopsy of three male victims, who died by stab wounds. Autopsy was done within three hours after death (the moment of death was known). The fifteen brain specimens (five from each victim’s brain, according to a fixed time schedule to simulate progressive postmortem intervals), were prepared for injection into the GC–MS and the levels of Cad and Put in the brain tissue specimens were measured. Results: Both Cad and Put levels increased in the brain tissue samples as long as the PMI increased, and there was a statistically highly significant (p

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) comprises the interface between blood, brain and cerebrospinal fluid. Its primary function, which is mainly carried out by tight junctions, is to stabilize the tightly controlled microenvironment of the brain. To study the development and maintenance of the BBB, as well as various roles their intrinsic mechanisms that play in neurological disorders, suitable measurements are required to demonstrate integrity and functional changes at the interfaces between the blood and brain tissue. Markers and plasma proteins with different molecular weight (MW) are used to measure the permeability of BBB. In addition, the expression changes of tight-junction proteins form the basic structure of BBB, and imaging modalities are available to study the disruption of BBB. In the present review, above mentioned methods are depicted in details, together with the pros and cons as well as the differences between these methods, which maybe benefit research studies focused on the detection of BBB breakdown.

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be used as vehicles to transport drug molecules to target zones and there by improve their therapeutical efficacy. Aim: The aim of the present work was to assess the effect of nitazoxanide loaded on silver nanoparticles (AgNps) in treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis in mice. Materials and methods: Mice were infected with T. gondii Me49 non-virulent strain and divided into 2 subgroups according to the time of starting treatment, and each subgroup sub divided into 7 groups. GI: Non infected- non- treated, GII: Infected non-treated mice, GIII: Infected and treated by spiramycin, GIV: Infected and treated by nitazoxanide, GVa:Infected and treated by nitazoxanide loaded on silver nanoparticles, GVb:Infected and treated bynanosilver only, GVI: infected and treated by combination of nitazoxanide and spiramycin, GVII:infected and treated by combination of nitazoxanide loaded on silver nanoparticles and spiramycin. Effect of treatment was assessed by counting the number of T. gondii brain cysts, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Nitazoxanide loaded on AgNps significantly reduced the number of T. gondii brain tissue cysts and improved the inflammatory and pathological changes in brain tissue sections in treated groups as compared to the other groups. It also affects the normal architecture and size of tissue cysts in brain. Conclusion: Nitazoxanide loaded on AgNps proved their effectiveness against the experimental chronic Toxoplasma infection.

Intracranial extracerebral ectopic brain tissue, also called glioneuronal heterotopia, is a rare developmental disorder. These lesions are predominately seen at the base of the brain in the supratentorial region and are frequently associated with craniofacial anomalies. We report prenatal ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of isolated extracerebellar ectopic brain tissue in the posterior fossa of a 22 weeks fetus.

Initially, the studies of COVID-19 infection focused primarily on the acute and subacute somatic symptoms of limited duration, but later on with the spread of the pandemic the scope was extended to prolonged symptoms recognized as complications. Data are mounting about after-effects in circulation, respiration, coagulation, problematic outcomes in rheumatology, dermatology, ophthalmology, as well as about the acute and prolonged symptoms of the dysfunctional central nervous system. Initially, sporadic case reports, later results of population based studies and animal models were available, and the first systematic review articles were emerging during preparation of our survey. Lesions of the central nervous system may manifest themselves both in neurological symptoms and diseases or psychiatric complaints and syndromes. The scale of symptoms is broad, the pathomechanisms are not perfectly mapped thus all therapeutic approaches are in their infancy yet. Epidemiological data of neuropsychiatric complications are incomplete for the time being though they have been rapidly becoming more accurate. Conservative estimates assume tens of millions of people affected worldwide. More time is necessary to assess the persistence or improvement of the prolonged symptoms. Besides every efforts to block the spread of the virus, the utmost importance is to analyze the effects of the virus on the central nervous system and to develop effective treatment strategies. According to our current knowledge, the pathomechanism of neuropsychiatric complications is multifactorial. Beyond the direct deleterious effect of the virus on neuronal and glial functions, more important is that the serious consequences of cerebrovascular dysfunction and poor oxygenation have to be taken into consideration together with extended and prolonged systemic immunological processes, which markedly harm the brain tissue, notably neurons, axons, synapses and glia cells. Based on a non-systematic literature review our work details these mechanisms and addresses therapeutic options as well. © 2021 Literatura Medica Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Objective. To test if the direct immunofluorescence can be used for the detection of Borrelia afzelii in brain tissue during the standardization of the animal model of neuroborreliosis in NMRI mice. Methods. The study was performed on 15 mice of NMRI strain. All mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 100 ml of BSK-H medium containing the local isolate of Borrelia afzelii. Animals were sacrificed after inoculation at III (n = 4), IV (n = 6) and V (n = 5) weeks, by cervical dislocation. In the sampled brains of mice, the presence of Borrelia was detected by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and chain polymerization reaction (PCR). Results. The first brain tested positive for Borrelia three weeks after the inoculation. The bacteria were detected in 1 out of 4 brains (25%). After that, there was a growth in the percentage of positive results. The data showed that 3 out of 6 brains (50%) were found positive on Borrelia presence by the end of the fourth week. Whereas, in 3 out of 5 brains (60%) Borrelia was detected five weeks following the inoculation. Conclusion. According to the preliminary results, direct immunofluorescence appeared to be a practical, low budget method for following the kinetics of neuro-infection. NMRI mice could be considered as an adequate animal model for neuroborreliosis. Thus, more research is needed on the topics of infection kinetics for the period after fifth week post inoculation, as well as sensitivity and specificity of direct immunofluorescence.

The concept of the ischemic penumbra was defined over 40 years ago by Lindsay Symon and his group and is now an established principle of all acute ischemic stroke therapies. These reperfusion treatments rescue threatened, critically hypoperfused brain tissue and have been proven to improve clinical outcomes. We have been fortunate to have observed and played a small part in the penumbral story from its beginnings in the 1970s to its pivotal position today. Over this period, we have witnessed penumbral imaging evolve from positron emission tomography through to magnetic resonance imaging and now predominantly computed tomography perfusion, with the advent of automated imaging facilitating case selection for reperfusion therapies. We and others have conducted clinical trials using penumbral imaging to extend the time window for intravenous thrombolysis and select patients for thrombectomy. Together with the concept of fast- and slow-growing ischemic infarct patterns, this embeds the penumbral principle in everyday clinical management. The opportunity now exists to make penumbral imaging even more portable, affordable, and more widely available using mobile platforms, novel imaging techniques, digital linkage, and artificial intelligence.

Background . To determine the optimal approach to managing patients in the acute period of stroke, the search for biomarkers that can increase value of existing diagnostic methods continues. Objective : to clarify the significance of the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP), NR2-antibodies in the blood serum (BS) of patients in the acute period of ischemic stroke (IS) in dynamics, determine their relationship with the severity of neurological disturbances and short-term outcome. Design and methods . 40 patients were examined in the acute period of IS, mean age 72.6 ± 1.9 years. The levels of biomarkers were determined in the BS in the first 72 hours of IS and on days 10–14. Results . The concentration of NSE and GFAP in patients with IS in the first 72 hours exceeded the reference values and significantly decreased by 10–14 days (34.9 ± 5.9 → 17.7 ± 1.1; p = 0.007 and 0.4 ± 0, 1 → 0.2 ± 0.005, p = 0.22 respectively). The level of NR2 antibodies did not exceed of the reference values (1.01 ± 0.3), and in dynamics, by 10–14 days, an increase in the indicator was noted (1.1 ± 0.3), p = 0.007. In patients with more severe symptoms, the concentration of NSE, GFAP and NR2 antibodies was higher by 10–14 days. Patients who had an unfavorable short-term outcome by 10–14 days had a higher level of NSE, GFKB and NR2 antibodies. Conclusion . The investigated substances can be used as biomarkers in IS to control the degree of damage to the brain tissue, monitor the worsening of the pathological process, as well as for prognostic purposes.

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is caused by repetitive head trauma and detected by a distinctive stain for a protein called ‘tau’ in autopsied brain tissue. While the number of diagnosed patients is only in the hundreds, the cultural footprint of the disease in North America is huge, both because those diagnosed are often celebrity-athletes and because millions of children, adolescents and young men and women play collision sports like football and hockey. We argue that the widespread attention to CTE provides a useful wedge to crack open another, heretofore neglected public health concern: repetitive acts of violence in and around hypermasculine sports create subjects whose brains—and characters—are materially shaped by that violence. Brains change materially when delivering blows as well as receiving them, when participating in degrading hazing rituals as victim or assailant, when belittled or assaulted by a coach, when approaching an upcoming game riddled with fear. We adopt a biosocial model of the brain’s becoming to intervene in a linear discourse around CTE that medicalizes and oversimplifies violence, a story that prematurely dissects one slice of the problem from a noxious whole.

Introduction. Following two coronaviral epidemics in 2002 and 2012, December 2019 saw the emergence of a potentially fatal coronavirus — SARS-CoV-2, which originated in Wuhan, China. While most coronaviruses are responsible for mild respiratory infections, they have been demonstrated to be neuroinvasive and neurotropic for over three decades. In this review, we assess whether SARS-CoV-2 follows this trend and if the neuroinvasive potential of this novel coronavirus is worthy of further investigation. Methods. To obtain sources for this study, we performed an online search through Pubmed, Researchgate and Google Scholar, finding 537 articles. After analysing them according to PRISMA, we included 14 in this review. Discussion. Data regarding neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 is scarce and mostly inconsistent. There are however identifiable trends which might provide a basis for future research. There is strong evidence that this novel coronavirus may be neuroinvasive and could cause a wide array of neurological symptoms and complications. Cerebrospinal fluid testing may shed more light on the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in the central nervous system. Clarification of the respiratory failure mechanisms requires post mortem examinations and brain tissue analysis, and further research is of the utmost importance. However, we strongly believe that the existing evidence is enough to raise awareness among clinicians and help guide them through the diagnosis and optimal therapy of COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND Physical exercise is strongly associated with the release of β-endorphin. It is assumed that the type and intensity of physical exercise contributes to the release of β-endorphin. This study aimed to compare levels of β-endorphin in brain tissue in response to aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise. METHODS This study was an experimental laboratory study using 35 male Wistar rats divided into one control group and two physical exercise treatment groups: aerobic and anaerobic. Physical exercise was conducted on an animal treadmill running at aspeed of 20 m/min for 30 min of aerobic exercise and 35 m/min with 1-min intervals every 5 min for 20 min for anaerobic exercises. Each aerobic and anaerobic exercise group was furtherly classified into three subgroups (1×/week, 3×/week, and 7×/week). β-endorphin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The highest mean of β-endorphin level was found in the weekly exercise (54.45 [1.41] pg/ml) of aerobic exercise group and daily exercise (70.50 [11.67] pg/ml) of anaerobic exercise group. Mean of β-endorphin level in control group was 33.34 (3.54) pg/ml. A significant increased of β-endorphin mean level (p

Background: Encephalitozoon cuniculi can affect a number of animals. Currently, there is limited clinical information on E. cuniculi in guinea pigs. Case description: A 3-year-old guinea pig with torticollis, dehydration, and hypothermia was brought to the clinic. After symptomatic treatment, the animal's status improved, and the animal returned home. Two computed tomography scans over a period of 23 days revealed oval hypodense lesions in the right temporal lobe, which enlarged over time. The animal was euthanized. A histopathological examination revealed focal granulomatous encephalitis, and PCR allowed the detection of E. cuniculi DNA in the brain tissue. It was found that the possible cause of the disease was E. cuniculi invasion. Conclusions: Based on this report, E. cuniculi should be considered a differential in guinea pigs with granulomatous encephalitis.

OBJECTIVEIncomplete neurosurgical resection of brain metastases (BM) due to insufficient intraoperative visualization of tumor tissue is a major clinical challenge and might result in local recurrence. Recently, visible 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) induced fluorescence was first reported in patients with BM. The aim of this study was thus to investigate, for the first time systematically, the value of 5-ALA fluorescence for intraoperative visualization of BM in a large patient cohort.METHODSAdult patients (≥ 18 years) with resection of suspected BM after preoperative 5-ALA administration were prospectively recruited at two specialized neurosurgical centers. During surgery, the fluorescence status (visible or no fluorescence); fluorescence quality (strong, vague, or none); and fluorescence homogeneity (homogeneous or heterogeneous) of each BM was investigated. Additionally, these specific fluorescence characteristics of BM were correlated with the primary tumor type and the histopathological subtype. Tumor diagnosis was established according to the current WHO 2016 criteria.RESULTSAltogether, 157 BM were surgically treated in 154 patients. Visible fluorescence was observed in 104 BM (66%), whereas fluorescence was absent in the remaining 53 cases (34%). In detail, 53 tumors (34%) showed strong fluorescence, 51 tumors (32%) showed vague fluorescence, and 53 tumors (34%) had no fluorescence. The majority of BM (84% of cases) demonstrated a heterogeneous fluorescence pattern. According to primary tumor, visible fluorescence was less frequent in BM of melanomas compared to all other tumors (p = 0.037). According to histopathological subtype, visible fluorescence was more common in BM of ductal breast cancer than all other subtypes (p = 0.008). It is of note that visible fluorescence was observed in the surrounding brain tissue after the resection of BM in 74 (67%) of 111 investigated cases as well.CONCLUSIONSIn this largest series to date, visible 5-ALA fluorescence was detected in two-thirds of BM. However, the characteristic heterogeneous fluorescence pattern and frequent lack of strong fluorescence limits the use of 5-ALA in BM and thus this technique needs further improvements.

Historically, safety of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is limited to use within 4.5 hours from symptom onset. Recent studies suggest the treatment window may be extended when patients have salvageable brain tissue on advanced neuroimaging. This paper describes a novel use of IV rt-PA for treatment of AIS in a pregnant patient within an extended-time window (>4.5 hours, and

Transient ischemic attack is a clinical variant of acute cerebral circulatory disorders without signs of damage to brain tissue. A transient ischemic attack increases the likelihood of stroke, myocardial infarction, and other vascular events. There is an obvious similarity between transient ischemic attack and acute coronary syndrome without St elevation. The authors discuss the possibilities of aggressive therapeutic tactics for managing patients with transient ischemic attacks based on the results of high effi ciency of such treatment in acute coronary syndrome.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the organ-specific features of the expression of protective proteins of the HSP family in response to prolonged dust exposure in an experiment.Material and methods. The experiments were performed on 60 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided into groups: rats inhaled coal-rock dust in the priming dust chamber for 4 hours daily for 6 weeks (average concentration 50 mg/m3), and the control rats (they were in an equal volume chamber, where the same temperature and air exchange conditions were maintained, but without the supply of coal-rock dust). In the cytoplasmic fraction of the lungs, heart, liver, and brain, the levels of HSP72 and heme oxygenase-1 (HOx-1) were determined by Western blot analysis.Results. The prolonged exposure of coal-rock dust to the body changed the level of intracellular proteins HSP72 and HOx-1 in the lungs, heart, liver, and brain. An increase in both HSP72 and HOx-1 levels occurred in the lungs and brain tissue; a significant increase in HOx-1 was recorded in the heart and HSP72 in the liver. These data indicate the organ-specific expression of intracellular proteins during dust exposure to the body. The following molecular mechanisms are involved in the development of the response to prolonged inhalation of coal-rock dust: 1) in the lungs and brain - both stress (HSP72) and hypoxic (HOx-1) components; 2) in the heart - a hypoxic component, manifested by the intensive synthesis of HOx-1 throughout the study period; 3) in the liver - a stress component due to significant expression of HSP72, which is associated with the manifestation of a protective effect for both the organ itself and the body as a whole.Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the organ-specificity of the cellular response of the body to the prolonged exposure to industrial dust. A change in the expression level of HSP72 and HOx-1 characterizes the degree of protection of organs from damage caused by inhalation of coal-rock dust, which grows in the series as liver < heart < lungs and brain.

A circular-transcriptome-wide study has recently linked differential expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brain tissue with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed at replicating the major findings in an independent series of sporadic and familial AD. We also included cases with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), comprising brain specimens with TDP-43 aggregates (FTLD-TDP43) and samples that presented Tau accumulation (FTLD-Tau). Using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach, we evaluated 8 circRNAs that surpassed the significant threshold in the former meta-analysis (circHOMER1, circDOCK1, circFMN1, circKCNN2, circRTN4, circMAN2A1, circMAP7, and circPICALM). Average expression changes between patients with AD and controls followed the same directions as previously reported. We also confirmed an exacerbated alteration in circRNA expression in the familial AD group compared with the sporadic forms. Two circRNAs (circHOMER1 and circKCNN2) also showed significant expression alterations in the group of FTLD-Tau and FTLD-TDP43, respectively. Overall, these results reinforce the conception that expression of circRNAs is different in AD, and also suggest a wider involvement of this particular class of RNA in other neurodegenerative dementias.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is a common stroke subtype, accounting for 10-35% of all stroke. It is the most disabling subtype as well, with disproportionately high rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite numerous advances in neurocritical care and stroke management, the prognosis remains poor, and no medical or surgical interventions have been shown to significantly reduce mortality or improve outcomes. Surgical evacuation of SICH has many theoretical benefits, such as reducing secondary injury, reducing intracranial pressures, and preventing cerebral herniation. However, trials involving open craniotomy for SICH evacuation have not yielded significant clinical benefit, and one thought is that benefit is not seen due to injury to the overlying healthy brain tissue. Therefore, minimally invasive options have increasingly been studied as an option to evacuate the SICH while minimizing injury to healthy tissue. We present here a select review of various minimally-invasive techniques for the evacuation of SICH.

Migraine has been considered to be an episodic, multifactorial, neurovascular disorder without long-term consequences to the brain, although numerous studies have shown a possible association between vestibular migraine and ischemic changes in the brain. 3 Case based scenarios of previously diagnosed patients with vestibular migraine on treatment, associated with clinical changes of ischemia, infarction and white matter lesions are reviewed and integrated with the results based on MRI study. There is a need for proper diagnosis to address the complaints and manage symptoms during acute attacks of vestibular migraine and prophylaxis. In addition these cases highlight the ongoing need for proper systemic evaluation, therapeutic management, regular follow up, compliance of medication and life style modification. Pathological sequelae of long standing vestibular migraine are ischemic changes of the brain tissue, which requires further evaluation and extensive study of these symptom complexes.

Background: The contribution of gene-environment interactions that lead to excessive aggression is poorly understood. Environmental stressors and mutations of the gene encoding tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) are known to influence aggression. For example, TPH2 null mutant mice (Tph2−/−) are naturally highly aggressive, while heterozygous mice (Tph2+/−) lack a behavioral phenotype and are considered endophenotypically normal. Here we sought to discover whether an environmental stressor would affect the phenotype of the genetically ‘susceptible’ heterozygous mice (Tph2+/−). Methods: Tph2+/− male mice or Tph2+/+ controls were subjected to a five-day long rat exposure stress paradigm. Brain serotonin metabolism and the expression of selected genes encoding serotonin receptors, AMPA receptors, and stress markers were studied. Results: Stressed Tph2+/− mice displayed increased levels of aggression and social dominance, whereas Tph2+/+ animals became less aggressive and less dominant. Brain tissue concentrations of serotonin, its precursor hydroxytryptophan and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly altered in all groups in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, hippocampus and dorsal raphe after stress. Compared to non-stressed animals, the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptophan was elevated in the amygdala though decreased in the other brain structures. The overexpression of the AMPA receptor subunit, GluA2, and downregulation of 5-HT6 receptor, as well as overexpression of c-fos and glycogen-synthase-kinase-3β (GSK3-β), were found in most structures of the stressed Tph2+/− mice. Limitations: Rescue experiments would help to verify causal relationships of reported changes. Conclusions: The interaction of a partial TPH2 gene deficit with stress results in pathological aggression and molecular changes, and suggests that the presence of genetic susceptibility can augment aggression in seemingly resistant phenotypes. © 2020 The Authors 602805 Seventh Framework Programme, FP7 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG: CRC TRR 58 A1/A5 Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, H2020: 728018 Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR: 15-04-03602 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR The authors’ work reported here was supported Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG: CRC TRR 58 A1/A5), the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under Grant No. 602805 (Aggressotype) and the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant No. 728018 (Eat2beNICE) (to KPL and TS), the “5-100” Russian Academic Excellence Project (to KPL and TS) and the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (RFBR Grant No. 15-04-03602 to TS). We appreciate the valuable technical help of Dr. Joao Costa-Nunes and Dolores Bonopartos with this project.

Background Congenital tremor (CT) type A-II is a neurological disorder characterized by tremor of the head and body of newborn piglets. The suggested causative agent of the disease is the recently found atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV). The virus has been detected in piglets suffering from congenital tremor in central Europe, South and North America and in China but no studies has so far been performed in the Nordic countries. The overarching goal of this study was to investigate if APPV is present in the brain tissue of Swedish piglets suffering from congenital tremor. From June 2017 – June 2018, 15 piglets from four Swedish farms with ongoing outbreaks of congenital tremor and 13 piglets with splay leg originating from four different farms, were investigated for presence of APPV RNA in brain tissue. Matched healthy control piglets (n = 8) were also investigated. Two APPV-specific RT-qPCR methods targeting the NS3 and NS5B region, respectively, were used. A retrospective study was performed on material from Swedish piglets with congenital tremor sampled in 2004 (n = 11) and 2011/2012 (n = 3) using the described APPV-specific RT-qPCR methods. The total number of piglets with signs of CT in this study was 29. Results Atypical porcine pestivirus-RNA was detected in 93% (27/29) of the piglets suffering from congenital tremor. All piglets with congenital tremor from 2004 (n = 11) and 2012 (n = 3) were PCR-positive with respect to APPV, whereas, all of the healthy controls (n = 11) were negative. The piglets with congenital tremor sampled 2017–2018 had an odds ratio of 91.8 (95% CI 3.9128 to 2153.7842, z = 2.807, P = 0.0050) to test positive for APPV by qRT-PCR compared to the healthy piglets (Fishers exact test p Conclusion This is the first description of atypical porcine pestivirus in piglets suffering from congenital tremor type A-II in Sweden and the Nordic countries. The virus has been present in the Swedish pig population since at least 2004.

This study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise intensity difference on GLUT-1, 3 and GLP-1R mRNA expression of brain tissue in type 2 diabetes rats. At 7 weeks of age, OLETF rats(N=40) were randomly assigned to : diabetic control group(DM, n=10), DM+low intensity exercise group(DM+LEX, n=10), DM+moderate intensity exercise group(DM+HEX, n=10), and DM+high intensity exercise group(DM+HXE, n=10). The exercise training group performed a treadmill running(60 min, 3 times/week) for 12 weeks. Compared with the DM group, the escape latency were significantly decreased in all exercise groups(p

Navigation-assisted surgery is being studied and used by more and more doctors because of its high success rate, and many techniques are needed, among which diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) plays an important role. The navigation assisted surgery system integrated with DTI will be more perfect and powerful. In order to prove this, we first successfully made DTI images of patients in 3D Slicer. After careful observation and study, we found that in navigation assisted surgery, doctors can use DTI to observe the location of brain tissue more clearly. This paper mainly studies the principle and data formula of DTI, and compares and summarizes how the nerve bundle image generated by DTI plays a role in navigation assisted surgery. The method proposed is very workable for doctors, and the effect of operation is also very easy to see.

Данная статья посвящена разработке устройства для неинвазивного измерения процентного содержания гемоглобина в крови с целью выявления гипоксии. Наиболее перспективным методом изучения процессов тканевого дыхания в головном мозге и непосредственного интраоперационного мониторинга церебральной гипоксии считается метод церебральной оксиметрии или спектроскопии в ближнем инфракрасном спектре. Показаны преимущества и недостатки данного метода. Целью настоящей работы является создание тканевого оксиметра для неинвазивного измерения процентного содержания гемоглобина в крови с целью идентификации гипоксии головного мозга у человека. Разрабатываемое устройство в дальнейшем планируется использовать для диагностики ишемического инсульта. Прототип этого устройства был основан на диагностической системе Oxiplex TS от ISS, Inc. Изучение прототипа разрабатываемого устройства показывает, что недостатки конструкции влияют на измерительные функции устройства. В ходе работы исследовательской группой была собрана опытная модель, которая нам позволила провести первые измерения для проверки работоспособности разработанного устройства. Результаты эксперимента показали, что входящий сигнал имеет широкий разброс изменчивости параметров, необходимых для измерения микроциркуляции крови, но компонент импульса может быть измерен точно This article deals with the development of a device for noninvasive measurement of the percentage content of hemoglobin in the blood to detect hypoxia. As a promising method of studying the processes of tissue respiration in the brain and direct intraoperative monitoring of cerebral hypoxia is a method of cerebral oximetry or spectroscopy in the near infrared spectrum. The advantages and disadvantages of this method. The aim of this work is the creation of a tissue oximeter for non-invasive measurement of the percentage content of hemoglobin in the blood to identify hypoxia. The device is planned to be used for the diagnosis of ischemic stroke. A prototype of this device was based on the diagnostic system from the ISS Oxiplex TS, Inc. Analysis of the prototype showed that the design flaws affect the measurement functions of the device. In the course of work of the study group collected a model that allowed us to conduct the first measurement to verify that the developed device. The results of the experiment showed that the incoming signal has a wide spread of variability of parameters needed to measure the microcirculation of blood, but the momentum component can be measured accurately

Highlights • Stereotactic hematoma evacuation can be performed without anticoagulant agent. • Stereotactic evacuation of intracerebral hematoma can be adopted in any center. • Stereotactic evacuation of intracerebral hematoma is a safe procedure. • Stereotactic surgery can minimize brain injury., Introduction Minimally invasive techniques such as stereotactic aspiration of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma (SICH) evacuation can minimize brain tissue damage due to surgery. We share our experience of adopting stereotactic aspiration of SICH in our center without compromising safety. Presentation of cases Three stereotactic aspiration procedures for SICH immediately after 24 h of onset are reported. All cases showed good results. Level of consciousness of all the patient returned to normal. Two patients could carry out routine activities independently. One patient has left hemiparesis. Discussion Stereotactic aspiration of SICH has been newly implemented at our center with acceptable results achieved. Patient selection has an important role in determining the choice of technique. The procedures were done without anticoagulant agent. Stereotactic aspiration of SICH is associated with limited brain tissue damage, shorter duration of surgery, reduced length of stay, faster postoperative healing, and better functional improvement. Conclusion Stereotactic aspiration of SICH is a minimally invasive defined strategy for hematoma evacuation without compromising safety.

Introduction Mobile phones (MP) and other electronic and communication devices that are used daily expose users to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and contribute to an increasing incidence of neurological disorders. Brain tissue is the closest organ to the MP as it operates, thus the influence of MP radiation on brain tissue is of particular concern, although research is still inconclusive. The present study investigated the possible effect of an EMF (1,350–1,375 megahertz (MHz)) from an MP on morphological and histopathological profiles in the mouse brain. Material and methods Healthy BALB/c mice were assigned to three equal groups (a control and two experimental groups, n = 10 each). Experimental mice were exposed to EMFs continuously for 72 h, those of experimental group I to a 1,350 MHz field at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg, and group II to a 1,375 MHz field EMF at an SAR of 4.0 W/kg. Brain segmentation and histopathological analysis were applied to detect changes in the morphometric parameters of the brain lobes and identify pathological lesions, respectively. Results Histopathology results revealed shrinkage of pyramidal neurons, presence of mild perivascular and perineural oedema, and some vacuolation of neurons and glial cells derived from mouse great hemispheres. The lesions also included reduction of Purkinje cells, vacuolisation of neurons and glial cells, and interstitial oedema in the cerebellum. Conclusion MP distance of 3 cm from the cage may induce appreciable morphological changes in mouse brain structures; therefore, more comprehensive research is essential for assessment of safe distance. These pronounced effects may interfere with the results of laboratory tests on murine experimental models in veterinary or biomedical research.

Background: Fever is a clinical manifestation that is often experienced by sick children. Fever can be dangerous if there is a high fever. Seizures can occur as a result of high fever which is not treated early, causing hypoxia of brain tissue and ultimately damage. According to WHO estimates that around 17 million cases of fever worldwide, there are 600,000 deaths each year.Purpose: This study aimed to find out effective interventions to reduce body temperature in children.Methods: This research used quantitative descriptive design with systematic review approach. The research instrument uses Duffy’s Research Appraisal Checklist Approach.Results: After searching the article, there were 9 articles related to giving warm compresses, 6 articles with the location of administration in the axilla and tepid songe areas (wiping the whole body), 7 articles by giving compresses for 30 minutes and 10 articles with compressed water temperature 37oC.Conclusions: Of the 15 articles that have been traced successfully, the most interventions given were warm compresses in the axilla and tepid sponge areas by giving compresses for 30 minutes and compressed water temperature of 37oC

Occipital encephalocele is a rare congenital anomaly that is characterized by herniation of brain tissue through a defect in the skull. Because of their enormous size, they pose a surgical challenge. Occipital encephalocele is the commonest of all encephalocele; the management of encephalocele defects requires immediate surgical closure. The author reports a case of a five months old female baby who presented a progressively increasing swelling over the occipital region. This swelling was present since birth. Surgery was planned to reduce the size of the swelling as well as its contents. The sac was excised and reduced sufficiently enough to accommodate the healthy-looking brain tissue. This infant did well postoperatively.

Large scale unbiased quantification of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is time consuming, expensive, and/or limited in scope. Heterogeneous tissue types such as brain tissue have presented a further challenge to the development of automated analysis, as differing cellular morphologies result in either limited applicability or require large amounts of training tissue for machine-learning methods. Here we present the use of QuPath, a free and open source software, to quantify whole-brain sections stained with the immunohistochemical markers IBA1 and AT8, for microglia and phosphorylated tau respectively. The pixel-based method of analysis herein allows for statistical comparison of global protein expression between brains and generates heat-maps of stain intensity, visualizing stain signal across whole sections and permitting more specific investigation of regions of interest. This method is fast, automated, unbiased, and easily replicable. We compared swine brains that had undergone a closed head traumatic brain injury with brains of sham animals, and found a global increase in both microglial signal expression and phosphorylated tau. We discuss the IHC methods necessary to utilize this analysis and provide detailed instruction on the use of QuPath in the pixel-based analysis of whole-slide images.

Objective: In present study, we aimed to clarify effect of aging on the susceptibility of brain tissue to neurodegeneration induced by ischemia.Methods: Damage induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation...

Cerebral proliferative angiopathy (CPA), previously known as diffuse nidus-type arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an entity distinct from cerebral AVM, characterized by multiple small arterial feeders, large-size nidus involving entire lobe or hemisphere, and no early draining veins with normal brain parenchyma interspersed between the abnormal vessels. It is usually seen in younger age group and is more common in females. We hereby report a case of diffuse cerebral proliferative angiopathy in a 29-year-old man who presented with intracranial hemorrhage. It is important to recognize this entity to avoid aggressive treatment, thus preventing permanent damage to the normal intermingled brain tissue.

Cotton balls are used in neurosurgical procedures to assist with hemostasis and improve vision within the operative field. Although the surgeon can reshape pieces of cotton for multiple intraoperative uses, this customizability and scale also places them at perpetual risk of being lost, as blood-soaked cotton balls are visually similar to raw brain tissue. Retained surgical cotton can induce potentially life-threatening immunologic responses, impair postoperative imaging, lead to a textiloma or misdiagnosis, and/or require reoperation. This study investigated three imaging modalities (optical, acoustic, and radiographic) to find the most effective method of identifying foreign bodies during neurosurgery. First, we examined the use of dyes to increase contrast between cotton and surrounding parenchyma (optical approach). Second, we explored the ability to distinguish surgical cotton on or below the tissue surface from brain parenchyma using ultrasound imaging (acoustic approach). Lastly, we analyzed the ability of radiography to differentiate between brain parenchyma and cotton. Our preliminary testing demonstrated that dark-colored cotton is significantly more identifiable than white cotton on the surface level. Additional testing revealed that cotton has noticeable different acoustic characteristics (eg, speed of sound, absorption) from neural tissue, allowing for enhanced contrast in applied ultrasound imaging. Radiography, however, did not present sufficient contrast, demanding further examination. These solutions have the potential to significantly reduce the possibility of intraoperative cotton retention both on and below the surface of the brain, while still providing surgeons with traditional cotton material properties without affecting the surgical workflow.

We evaluated oxyphytosterol (OPS) concentrations in plasma and various tissues of two genetically modified mouse models with either increased cholesterol (apoE KO mice) or increased cholesterol and plant sterol (PS) concentrations (apoExABCG8 dKO mice). Sixteen female apoE KO and 16 dKO mice followed the same standard, low OPS-chow diet. Animals were euthanized at 36 weeks to measure PS and OPS concentrations in plasma, brain, liver and aortic tissue. Cholesterol and oxysteml (OS) concentrations were analyzed as reference for sterol oxidation in general. Plasma campesterol (24.1 +/- 4.3 vs. 11.8 +/- 3.0 mg/dL) and sitosterol (67.4 +/- 12.7 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.1 mg/dL) concentrations were severely elevated in the dKO compared to the apoE KO mice (p < 0.001). Also, in aortic and brain tissue, PS levels were significantly elevated in dKO. However, plasma, aortic and brain OPS concentrations were comparable or even lower in the dKO mice. In contrast, in liver tissue, both PS and OPS concentrations were severely elevated in the dKO compared to apoE KO mice (sum OPS: 7.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.8 ng/mg, p < 0.001). OS concentrations followed cholesterol concentrations in plasma and all tissues suggesting ubiquitous oxidation. Despite severely elevated PS concentrations, OPS concentrations were only elevated in liver tissue, suggesting that OPS are primarily formed in the liver and plasma concentrations originate from hepatic spill-over into the circulation.

The minimum histological criterion for the diagnostics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in tissue is the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in specific brain locations. The routine procedure of morphological analysis implies time-consuming and laborious steps including sectioning and staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. We developed a multispectral Stokes polarimetric imaging approach that allows characterization of FFPE brain tissue samples to discern the stages of AD progression without sectioning and staining the tissue. The Stokes polarimetry approach is highly sensitive to structural alterations of brain tissue, particularly to the changes in light scattering and birefringence. We present the results of the label-free non-destructive screening of FFPE mouse brain tissue and show several polarization metrics that demonstrate statistically significant differences for tissues at different stages of AD.

Brain tissue pulsates with each cardiac cycle, however the effect of disease on this natural motion is still unclear. Current literature mainly focuses on healthy brain tissue, with only limited studies looking at disease states such as Chiari malformation and acute ischemic stroke. This case report advances on recent literature by describing the case of a patient with an acute intracerebral hemorrhage and demonstrating an amplified MRI cine of the brain's motion. A clearer understanding of the effects of disease on brain motion may guide clinical application of pulsation measurement.

Mitigating the loss of brain tissue due to age is a major problem for an ageing population. Improving cardiorespiratory fitness has been suggested as a possible strategy, but the influenceon brain morphology has not been fully characterized. To investigate the dependent shifts in brain tissue distribution as a function of cardiorespiratory fitness, we used a 3D transport-based morphometry approach. In this study of 172 inactive older adults aged 58–81 (66.5 ± 5.7) years, cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) during graded exercise and brain morphology was assessed through structural magnetic resonance imaging. After correcting for covariates including age (in the fitness model), gender and level of education, we compared dependent tissue shifts with age to those due to VO2 peak. We found a significant association between cardiorespiratory fitness and brain tissue distribution (white matter, r = 0.30, P = 0.003; grey matter, r = 0.40, P < 0.001) facilitated by direct visualization of the brain tissue shifts due to cardiorespiratory fitness through inverse transformation—a key capability of 3D transport-based morphometry. A strong statistical correlation was found between brain tissue changes related to ageing and those associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness (white matter, r = 0.62, P < 0.001; grey matter, r = 0.74, P < 0.001). In both cases, frontotemporal regions shifted the most while basal ganglia shifted the least. Our results highlight the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness in maintaining brain health later in life. Furthermore, this work demonstrates 3D transport-based morphometry as a novel neuroinformatic technology that may aid assessment of therapeutic approaches for brain ageing and neurodegenerative diseases., Cardiorespiratory fitness is a potential strategy to reduce brain tissue loss caused by ageing. Kundu et al. report a statistically important benefit of cardiorespiratory fitness on brain morphology using a novel automated discovery and visualization technique called 3D transport-based morphometry—prompting new questions about cardiorespiratory fitness in brain ageing and dementia., Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract