Proline Metabolism in WHO G4 Gliomas Is Altered as Compared to Unaffected Brain Tissue.

Proline metabolism has been identified as a significant player in several neoplasms, but knowledge of its role in gliomas is limited despite it providing a promising line of pursuit. Data on proline metabolism in the brain are somewhat historical. This study aims to investigate alterations of proline metabolism in gliomas of WHO grade 4 (GG4) in the context of the brain. A total of 20 pairs of samples were studied, consisting of excised tumor and unaffected brain tissue, obtained when partial brain resection was required to reach deep-seated lesions. Levels of proline oxidase/proline dehydrogenase (POX/PRODH), Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases (PYCR1/2/3), prolidase (PEPD), and metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) were assessed, along with the concentration of proline and proline-related metabolites. In comparison to normal brain tissue, POX/PRODH expression in GG4 was found to be suppressed, while PYCR1 expression and activity of PEPD, MMP-2, and -9 were upregulated. The GG4 proline concentration was 358% higher. Hence, rewiring of the proline metabolism in GG4 was confirmed for the first time, with a low-POX/PRODH/high-PYCR profile. High PEPD and MMPs activity is in keeping with GG4-increased collagen turnover and local aggressiveness. Further studies on the mechanisms of the interplay between altered proline metabolism and the GG4 microenvironment are warranted.

IL-6 Quotient (The Ratio of Cerebrospinal Fluid IL-6 to Serum IL-6) as a Biomarker of an Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted so far have focused mainly on the assessment of IL-6 levels in patients with ruptured brain aneurysms. Carrying out detailed studies in patients with un-ruptured brain aneurysms (UIA) would be extremely important, as it would answer the question of whether IL-6 plays also a role in primary aneurysm formation and growth. METHODS: IL-6, S100, NSE, and albumin concentrations in 67 UIA patients and 17 individuals without vascular lesions in the brain were tested using in vitro diagnostic immunoassays according to the manufacturers' instructions. IL-6 Quotient was calculated by dividing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 by serum IL-6. RESULTS: We showed that IL-6 Quotient was significantly higher in UIA patients (1.78) compared to the control group (0.87; p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a growth in IL-6 Quotient increases the probability of UIA diagnosis. In UIA patients CSF IL-6 concentration was significantly higher (4.55 pg/ml) compared to the serum concentration (2.39 pg/ml; p<0.001). In both the study and control group, the blood-brain barrier was intact, thus the CSF-blood gradient of the IL-6 concentration in UIA patients was likely to be the expression of local synthesis of the cytokine within the central nervous system. Patients with multiple brain aneurysms had significantly higher CSF IL-6 levels (5.08 pg/ml) compared to individuals with a single aneurysm (4.14 pg/ml; p=0.0227). CONCLUSION: This totality of the may suggest IL-6 as a biomarker for UIA formation; however, further studies are needed to unequivocally confirm clinical application of IL-6 concentration evaluation.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid Neudesin concentration and Neudesin Quotient as potential circulating biomarkers of a primary brain tumor.

BACKGROUND: Despite the previously suggested role of Neudesin in tumorigenesis and its potential as a novel target for the treatment of cancers, its prognostic value has never been examined. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate Neudesin concentrations in primary brain tumor patients and make a comparison with non-tumoral individuals. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum Neudesin concentration was evaluated by means of the ELISA method. RESULTS: The total group of brain tumor patients had statistically lower serum Neudesin concentrations compared to the non-tumoral group (P = 0.037). The meningeal tumor subgroup also had statistically lower serum Neudesin concentrations compared to the non-tumoral group (P = 0.012). The Astrocytic brain tumor subgroup had significantly higher CSF Neudesin concentrations compared to the non-tumoral group (P = 0.046). Neudesin Quotient (CSF concentration divided by serum concentration) in the astrocytic brain tumor subgroup was statistically higher compared to the non-tumoral group (P = 0.023). Males had statistically lower concentrations of the serum Neudesin compared to females (P = 0.047). Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that for women the serum Neudesin concentration was 1.53 times higher than for men. In the model of multivariate linear regression analysis, predictor variables influencing serum Neudesin concentrations included CSF Neudesin concentration and the Neudesin Quotient, if other model parameters are fixed. The developed model explains 82% of the variance in serum Neudesin concentration. Both linear regression models, univariate and multivariate, pointed to fewer factors with a potential to influence the Neudesin Quotient compared to serum Neudesin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In astrocytic brain tumor patients Neudesin concentrations within the cerebrospinal fluid are higher compared with non-tumoral individuals. Serum Neudesin concentration strongly correlates with its CSF level. In primary brain tumor patients serum Neudesin concentration is clearly gender-dependent. Linear regression models pointed to fewer factors that may influence the Neudesin Quotient value, which suggests it is a better biomarker of astrocytic brain tumors than serum and CSF Neudesin concentrations alone.

Results of Destandau microendoscopic lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endoscopic methods are increasingly used in spine surgery, including the operative treatment of lumbar disc herniation. In this study we present a clinical series of 45 patients with lumbar disc prolapse who were operated on endoscopically with ENDOSPINE instrumentation (Karl STORZ GmbH and Co. KG), using the Destandau technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2006 endoscopy was used in 76 operations of lumbar disc prolapse and in 45 patients the entire procedure was performed endoscopically. All procedures were carried out from a posterior approach using a 4 mm Hopkins 0 degrees -telescope placed in the working insert equipped with channels for suction tube, operative instruments and nerve root retractor. The outcome was assessed using modified McNab criteria both directly and three months (in 35 patients) postoperatively. RESULTS: Good to excellent outcome was achieved in 89% of patients, which is consistent with results reported by experienced authors and comparable with results of "classic" microdiscectomy. Five patients reported no improvement and 3 of them were subsequently reoperated using the open surgical approach. In 3 patients the dural sac was lacerated but none of the tears exceed a few millimetres in length and they were not associated with neural injury. They were easily repaired endoscopically with a patch of "Tachocomb" tissue sealant. CONCLUSIONS: Destandau microendoscopic discectomy (MED) is a novel, safe and effective method that minimizes invasiveness of the surgical approach. Results achieved with this method are comparable to those achieved with "classic" microdiscectomy.

[Intracranial temperature measurements in brain death]. / Temperatura wewnatrzczaszkowa u chorych w stanie smierci mózgu.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial temperature in many clinical situations can significantly differ from core trunk temperature. Little is known about temperature relations in these locations in brain death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The oesophageal and rectal temperatures were monitored in 52 comatose (GCS score: 3-9) patients after head trauma or haemorrhagic stroke. Brain temperature was recorded in 44 patients who had been treated surgically. In 8 patients treated conservatively only tympanic temperature was monitored. Signs of brain death appeared in 27 patients. RESULTS: In patients who were unconscious but without signs of brain death, the brain and trunk temperature run parallel in time, the former being somewhat higher than the latter. The tympanic temperature matched well the temperature of the brain. With brain death symptoms all core temperatures fell by 2 to 4 degrees C during 6 to 12 hours. Most notably, the decrease in brain temperature far exceeded that of trunk temperature. As a result, intracranial temperature established itself as the lowest temperature of the body, being 2 to 4 degrees C lower than core trunk temperature. Tympanic temperature fall was less prominent, thus it no more mirrored brain temperature. CONCLUSIONS: After brain death intracranial temperature dissociates from core trunk temperature and from the tympanic temperature. Brain temperature lower than arterial blood temperature is incompatible with ongoing brain metabolism. So such temperature relations might be specific to brain death.

[Surgical evacuation of an embolization coil from the middle cerebral artery]. / Chirurgiczne usuniecie spirali embolizacyjnej przemieszczonej do tetnicy srodkowej mózgu.

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with a right intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm treated endovascularly with MDS coils. During the procedure, one of the coils migrated to the middle cerebral artery (MCA), resulting in left hemiplegia. The attempt to remove the migrated coil endovascularly failed and the patient had emergency front-temporal craniotomy. After the dissection of the Sylvian fissure, the M1 portion of the MCA was exposed with the coil visible through the distended wall of the artery. Because it was feared that the M1 arteriotomy could tear the MCA, the coil was removed through the anterior temporal artery, a small branch of the M2 segment. Hemiplegia gradually resolved and the patient recovered completely. This case depicts an alternative route via a distal arteriotomy to remove the migrating coil. Additionally, it implies that endovascular procedures in neurosurgical patients should be performed by the interventional neurosurgeon (neurosurgeon trained to perform endovascular procedures) or at least with the support of a neurosurgical department for immediate intervention in the case of life-threatening complications.