UW Neurological Surgery Recent PubMed Publications

"Do Not Ignore Musculoskeletal Pain"-Initial Presentation of a Rare Malignant Disease: Case Report and Literature Review.

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2020 Jan-Dec;8:2324709620941316

Authors: Patel I, Akoluk A, Upadhyaya V, Makadia S, Douedi S, Farooq T, Flynn D, Levitt M, Hossain MA

Abstract
Gray zone lymphoma, also known as B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma, is a rare malignancy with overlapping features of both diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Most commonly mediastinal involvement is seen. Extranodal involvement is rare. In this case report, we present the case of a 59-year-old male who presented with stress-related left shoulder pain, ultimately diagnosed with gray zone lymphoma. The patient was treated with etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin-rituximab (EPOCH-R) regimen followed by consolidation radiotherapy resulting in complete response. We are highlighting this case as rare and atypical presentation of a rare disease.

PMID: 32660277 [PubMed - in process]

Impact of lordotic cages in the restoration of spinopelvic parameters after dorsal lumbar interbody fusion: a retrospective case control study.

Int Orthop. 2020 Jul 13;:

Authors: Oikonomidis S, Heck V, Bantle S, Scheyerer MJ, Hofstetter C, Budde S, Eysel P, Bredow J

Abstract
PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to compare the reconstruction of radiological sagittal spinopelvic parameters between lordotic (10°) and normal cages (0°) after dorsal lumbar spondylodesis.
METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study included patients who received dorsal lumbar spondylodesis between January 2014 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria were degenerative lumbar diseases and mono- or bi-segmental fusions in the middle and lower lumbar region. Exclusion criteria were long-distance fusions (3 segments and more) and infectious and tumour-related diseases. The sagittal spinopelvine parameters (lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and pelvic tilt) were measured pre- and post-operatively by two examiners at two different times. The patients were divided into 2 groups (group 1: lordotic cage, group 2: normal cage).
RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients (77 female, 61 male) with an average age of 66.6 ± 11.2 years (min.: 26, max.: 90) were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria. Ninety-two patients (66.7%) received 0° cages and 46 (33.3%) lordotic cages (10°). Segmental lordosis was increased by 4.2° on average in group 1 and by 6.5° in group 2 (p = 0.074). Average lumbar lordosis was increased by 2.1° in group 1 and by 0.6° in group 2 (p = 0.378). There was no significant difference in the correction of sagittal spinopelvic parameters. Inter- and inter-class reliability was between 0.887 and 0.956.
CONCLUSION: According to the results of our study, no advantages regarding sagittal radiological parameters for the implantation of a lordotic cage could be demonstrated.

PMID: 32661634 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Do Counter-Narratives Reduce Support for ISIS? Yes, but Not for Their Target Audience.

Front Psychol. 2020;11:1059

Authors: Bélanger JJ, Nisa CF, Schumpe BM, Gurmu T, Williams MJ, Putra IE

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to experimentally test whether counter-narratives are effective to reduce people's support and willingness to join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Integrating psychological reactance theory (Brehm, 1966) and need for closure (NFC; Kruglanski, 2004), we predicted that exposing people to counter-narratives when they are at greater risk of radicalization (high NFC individuals) would be counterproductive and enhance their support for ISIS. Participants (N = 886 American Muslims) were randomly assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design varying the source (United States Government, Imam, ISIS defector), and the content (social, political, and religious) of the counter-narrative while comparing these groups to a control message. Results show an overall small positive effect of counter-narratives (β = -0.107, p = 0.043), but also evidence for greater support for ISIS in individuals at greater risk of radicalization (β = 0.154, p = 0.005). Results also show that the content was more important than the source: A political narrative was the most effective, and this result is consistent across different sources although an ISIS defector is the most effective messenger. These findings challenge the widespread assumption that counter-narratives are effective against violent extremism. In fact, they accelerate the very phenomenon that governments and policy makers are trying to undermine. Therefore, policy makers should avoid including them in their armamentarium to tackle violent extremism.

PMID: 32655429 [PubMed]

Full endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of the cervical spine: surgical technique and early experience.

J Spine Surg. 2020 Jun;6(2):447-456

Authors: Carr DA, Abecassis IJ, Hofstetter CP

Abstract
Background: Full-endoscopic decompression surgery has been shown to be safe and efficacious in the lumbar spine, while its role remains to be determined in the cervical spine. We describe the utility of cervical endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (CE-ULBD) in a series of elderly patients with severe central stenosis, significant medical comorbidity, and existing cervical deformity.
Methods: A prospectively collected spine surgery registry at the University of Washington was retrospectively queried for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy receiving CE-ULBD. Demographic data, operative details, imaging, and patient reported outcomes, including visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck and upper extremity pain, Nurick grade, and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score, were reviewed. Description of the surgical technique is provided. Descriptive statistics were calculated.
Results: From 2014 through 2018, 10 patients with an average age of 70.2±5.0 years underwent CE-ULBD for symptomatic upper cervical stenosis due to ligamentum flavum buckling. Half of these patients had one stenotic segment, the other half had two stenotic segments. The most commonly affected segment was C3/4 (5/10 patients). Average length of surgery was 128±18.4 minutes. Average length of stay was 1.2±0.2 days. Average clinical follow-up time was 22.0±4.7 months; clinical outcomes at most recent follow-up were improved via both the Nurick grade (1.2±0.4, P<0.01) and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (14.6±1.0, P<0.001) compared with pre-operative values. One patient experienced a transient loss of motor evoked potentials intraoperatively, but there were no cases of permanent neurological deficit.
Conclusions: Severe central cervical stenosis is a safe and viable target for full-endoscopic decompression via an interlaminar approach.

PMID: 32656382 [PubMed]

Microsurgical Resection of a Primary Intraosseous Meningioma Encasing the Superior Sagittal Sinus.

J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jul 10;:

Authors: Ene CI, Kurnik N, Vellimana AK, Liu Y, Susarla SM, Sekhar LN

Abstract
Primary intraosseous meningiomas (PIMs) are an infrequent variant of meningiomas characterized by hyperostosis and brain compression. En bloc surgical resection of giant PIMs involving critical structures such as venous sinuses or cranial nerves could be associated with significant morbidity. The objective of this report is to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of piecemeal resection of PIMs involving the superior sagittal sinus and frontal sinus. A 54-year-old female with a large 5 cm thick bifrontal primary intra-osseous meningioma encasing the anterior segment of the superior sagittal sinus and frontal sinus underwent a bifrontal craniotomy with piecemeal microsurgical resection of the lesion, complete frontal sinus exoneration, and a synthetic cranioplasty. Clinical outcome was measured by extent of resection, preservation of cortical draining veins and postoperative course. A Simpson grade I resection of the lesion was achieved following piecemeal resection of the giant PIM without clinical or radiographic evidence of venous infarct or injury. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the patient was discharged home 3 days after cranioplasty. A complete resection of a giant bifrontal PIM with superior sagittal sinus encasement and frontal sinus involvement can be achieved safely via a piecemeal approach without significant intra-operative morbidity.

PMID: 32657980 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Unnecessary hesitancy on human vaccine tests-Response.

Science. 2020 07 10;369(6500):151

Authors: Shah SK, Miller FG, Darton TC, Duenas D, Emerson C, Lynch HF, Jamrozik E, Jecker NS, Kamuya D, Kapulu M, Kimmelman J, MacKay D, Memoli MJ, Murphy SC, Palacios R, Richie TL, Roestenberg M, Saxena A, Saylor K, Selgelid MJ, Vaswani V, Rid A

PMID: 32646992 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Multicenter phase II study of Cabazitaxel in advanced gastroesophageal cancer: Association of HER2 Expression and M2-like Tumor Associated Macrophages with Patient Outcome.

Clin Cancer Res. 2020 Jul 08;:

Authors: Shah MA, Enzinger P, Ko AH, Ocean AJ, Philip PA, Thakkar PV, Cleveland K, Lu Y, Kortmansky J, Christos PJ, Zhang C, Kaur N, Elmonshed D, Galletti G, Sarkar S, Bhinder B, Pittman ME, Plotnikova OM, Kotlov N, Frenkel FE, Bagaev AV, Elemento O, Betel D, Giannakakou P, Lenz HJ

Abstract
PURPOSE: Purpose: We examined cabazitaxel, a novel next generation taxoid, in patients with metastatic gastric cancer in a multicenter phase II study.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients that have progressed on 1 or more prior therapies for locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic disease, were eligible and prior taxane therapy was allowed. Taxane-naïve and pretreated cohorts were analyzed independently for efficacy. The primary endpoint for both cohorts was progression-free survival (PFS) using RECIST 1.1, using a Simon's two-stage design (10% significance, 80% power) for both cohorts. Comprehensive molecular annotation included whole exome and bulk RNA sequencing.
RESULTS: Fifty-three patients enrolled in the taxane-naïve cohort (Arm A), and 23 patients in the prior-taxane cohort (Arm B), from January 8, 2013 to April 8, 2015: median age 61.7 years (range 35.5 - 91.8 years), 66% male, 66% Caucasian. The most common adverse events included neutropenia (17% Arm A, 39% Arm B), fatigue/muscle weakness (13%), and hematuria (12%). In Arm A, the 3-month PFS rate was 28% (95%CI 17-42%), and did not meet the pre-specified efficacy target. The 3-month PFS rate in Arm B was 35% (95% CI 16-57%), and surpassed its efficacy target. HER2 amplification or over-expression was associated with improved disease control (P=0.003), PFS (p=0.04) and overall survival (p=0.002). An M2 macrophage signature was also associated with improved survival (p=0.031).
CONCLUSIONS: Cabazitaxel has modest activity in advanced gastric cancer, including in patients previously treated with taxanes. Her2 amplification/overexpression and M2 high macrophage signature are potential biomarkers for taxane efficacy that warrant further evaluation.

PMID: 32641434 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A quick and reliable estimate of extended high-frequency hearing.

Int J Audiol. 2020 Jul 09;:1-5

Authors: Prendergast G, Hymers M, Lee A

Abstract
Objective: To encourage researchers to perform high-frequency threshold estimation using a technique outlined by Rieke and colleagues, described as fixed-level frequency threshold estimation. Their method used a Bekesy-style roving tone to estimate the highest audible frequency of a listener. The tone was fixed in its intensity (SPL) and changed in frequency as the participant indicated whether they could perceive the tone, or not. This was developed specifically for ototoxicity monitoring in the extended high-frequency region. Rieke and colleagues established that this approach to measuring hearing thresholds is both fast and reliable.Design: The current article extends this approach to using a simple PC-soundcard-transducer setup and the method of limits to rapidly establish the highest audible frequency of a listener.Study sample: 24 listeners performed standard and fixed-level audiometry in the extended high-frequency range.Results: The method described is rapid and reliable and a single summary metric is obtained for each listener.Conclusions: The advantage of the described approach over standard pure-tone audiometry in the extended high-frequency range is the time taken, the ability to avoid missing data points and the risk of distortions or electrical noise when close to maximal system output.

PMID: 32643465 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Extended lumbar drainage in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Br J Neurosurg. 2020 Jul 09;:1-7

Authors: Nunn AC, Jones HE, Morosanu CO, Singleton WGB, Williams MA, Nagel SJ, Luciano MG, Zwimpfer TJ, Holubkov R, Wisoff JH, McKhann GM, Hamilton MG, Edwards RJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: When appropriately selected, a high proportion of patients with suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) will respond to cerebrospinal fluid diversion with a shunt. Extended lumbar drainage (ELD) is regarded as the most accurate test for this condition, however, varying estimates of its accuracy are found in the current literature. Here, we review the literature in order to provide summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative predictive value for this test through meta-analysis of suitably rigorous studies.
METHODS: Studies involving a population of NPH patients with predominantly idiopathic aetiology (>80%) in which the intention of the study was to shunt patients regardless of the outcome of ELD were included in the review. Various literature databases were searched to identify diagnostic test accuracy studies addressing ELD in the diagnosis of iNPH. Those studies passing screening and eligibility were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool and data extracted for bivariate random effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Four small studies were identified. They showed disparate results concerning diagnostic test accuracy. The summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 94% (CI 41-100%) and 85% (CI 33-100%), respectively. The summary estimates of positive and negative predictive value were both 90% (CIs 65-100% and 48-100%, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Large, rigorous studies addressing the diagnostic accuracy of ELD are lacking, and little robust evidence exists to support the use of ELD in diagnostic algorithms for iNPH. Therefore, a large cohort study, or ideally an RCT, is needed to determine best practice in selecting patients for shunt surgery.

PMID: 32643967 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Safety, pharmacokinetics and causal prophylactic efficacy of KAF156 in a Plasmodium falciparum human infection study.

Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Jul 09;:

Authors: Kublin JG, Murphy SC, Maenza J, Seilie AM, Jain JP, Berger D, Spera D, Zhao R, Soon RL, Czartoski JL, Potochnic MA, Duke E, Chang M, Vaughan A, Kappe SHI, Leong FJ, Pertel P, Prince WT

Abstract
BACKGROUND: KAF156 is a novel antimalarial drug that is active against both liver- and blood- stage Plasmodium parasites, including drug-resistant strains. Here, we investigated the causal prophylactic efficacy of KAF156 in a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) model.
METHODS: In Part 1, healthy, malaria-naïve participants received 800 mg KAF156 or placebo three hr before CHMI with Pf-infected mosquitoes. In Part 2, KAF156 was administered as single doses of 800, 300, 100, 50, or 20 mg 21 hr post-CHMI. All participants received atovaquone/proguanil treatment if blood-stage infection was detected or on day 29. For each cohort, 7-14 subjects were enrolled to KAF156 treatment and up to four subjects to placebo.
RESULTS: KAF156 at all dose levels was safe and well tolerated. Two serious adverse events were reported - both resolved without sequelae and neither was considered related to KAF156. In Part 1, all participants treated with KAF156 and none of those randomized to placebo were protected against malaria infection. In Part 2, all participants treated with placebo or 20 mg KAF156 developed malaria infection. In contrast, 50 mg KAF156 protected 3/14 participants from infection, and doses of 800, 300, and 100 mg KAF156 protected all subjects against infection. An exposure-response analysis suggested that a 24-hr post-dose concentration of KAF156 of 21·5 ng/mL (90% CI 17.66 to 25.32 ng/mL) would ensure a 95% chance of protection from malaria parasite infection.
CONCLUSIONS: KAF156 was safe and well tolerated and demonstrated high levels of pre- and post-CHMI protective efficacy.

PMID: 32644127 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Changes in the Preterm Heart From Birth to Young Adulthood: A Meta-analysis.

Pediatrics. 2020 08;146(2):

Authors: Telles F, McNamara N, Nanayakkara S, Doyle MP, Williams M, Yaeger L, Marwick TH, Leeson P, Levy PT, Lewandowski AJ

Abstract
CONTEXT: Preterm birth is associated with incident heart failure in children and young adults.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect size of preterm birth on cardiac remodeling from birth to young adulthood.
DATA SOURCES: Data sources include Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane databases, and clinical trial registries (inception to March 25, 2020).
STUDY SELECTION: Studies in which cardiac phenotype was compared between preterm individuals born at <37 weeks' gestation and age-matched term controls were included.
DATA EXTRACTION: Random-effects models were used to calculate weighted mean differences with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS: Thirty-two observational studies were included (preterm = 1471; term = 1665). All measures of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic function were lower in preterm neonates, including LV ejection fraction (P = .01). Preterm LV ejection fraction was similar from infancy, although LV stroke volume index was lower in young adulthood. Preterm LV peak early diastolic tissue velocity was lower throughout development, although preterm diastolic function worsened with higher estimated filling pressures from infancy. RV longitudinal strain was lower in preterm-born individuals of all ages, proportional to the degree of prematurity (R 2 = 0.64; P = .002). Preterm-born individuals had persistently smaller LV internal dimensions, lower indexed LV end-diastolic volume in young adulthood, and an increase in indexed LV mass, compared with controls, of 0.71 g/m2 per year from childhood (P = .007).
LIMITATIONS: The influence of preterm-related complications on cardiac phenotype could not be fully explored.
CONCLUSIONS: Preterm-born individuals have morphologic and functional cardiac impairments across developmental stages. These changes may make the preterm heart more vulnerable to secondary insults, potentially underlying their increased risk of early heart failure.

PMID: 32636236 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Evaluation of the Patient-Practitioner Consultation on Surgical Treatment Options for Patients With Craniosynostosis.

J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jul-Aug;31(5):1186-1190

Authors: Pfeifauf KD, Said AM, Naidoo SD, Skolnick GB, Kestle JRW, Lee A, Birgfeld C, Anderson RCE, Gociman B, Siddiqi FA, Pollack IF, Goldstein JA, Tamber M, Imahiyerobo T, Smyth MD, Patel KB, Synostosis Research Group

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Endoscope-assisted craniectomy and spring-assisted cranioplasty with post-surgical helmet molding are minimally invasive alternatives to the traditional craniosynostosis treatment of open cranial vault remodeling. Families are often faced with deciding between techniques. This study aimed to understand providers' practice patterns in consulting families about surgical options.
METHODS: An online survey was developed and distributed to 31 providers. The response rate was 84% (26/31).
RESULTS: Twenty-six (100%) respondents offer a minimally invasive surgical option for sagittal craniosynostosis, 21 (81%) for coronal, 20 (77%) for metopic, 18 (69%) for lambdoid, and 12 (46%) for multi-suture. Social issues considered in determining whether to offer a minimally invasive option include anticipated likelihood of compliance (23 = 88%), distance traveled for care (16 = 62%) and financial considerations (6 = 23%). Common tools to explain options include verbal discussion (25 = 96%), 3D reconstructed CT scans (17 = 65%), handouts (13 = 50%), 3D models (12 = 46%), hand drawings (11 = 42%) and slides (10 = 38%). Some respondents strongly (7 = 27%) or somewhat (3 = 12%) encourage a minimally invasive option over open repair. Others indicate they remain neutral (7 = 27%) or tailor their approach to meet perceived needs (8 = 31%). One (4%) somewhat encourages open repair. Despite this variation, all completely (17 = 65%), strongly (5 = 19%) or somewhat agree (4 = 15%) they use shared decision making in presenting surgical options.
CONCLUSION: This survey highlights the range of practice patterns in presenting surgical options to families and reveals possible discrepancies in the extent providers believe they use shared decision making and the extent it is actually used.

PMID: 32634133 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Staphylococcus epidermidis protease EcpA can be a deleterious component of the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jul 04;:

Authors: Cau L, Williams MR, Butcher AM, Nakatsuji T, Kavanaugh JS, Cheng JY, Shafiq F, Higbee K, Hata TR, Horswill AR, Gallo RL

Abstract
BACKGROUND: S. aureus and S. epidermidis are the most abundant bacteria found on the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). S. aureus is known to exacerbate AD while S. epidermidis was considered as a beneficial commensal organism.
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we hypothesized that S. epidermidis could promote skin damage in AD by the production of a protease that damages the epidermal barrier.
METHODS: Protease activity of S. epidermidis isolates was compared with other staphylococcal species. The capacity of S. epidermidis to degrade the barrier and induce inflammation was examined using human keratinocyte tissue culture and mouse models. Skin swabs from atopic and healthy adult subjects were analyzed for the presence of S. epidermidis genomic DNA and mRNA.
RESULTS: S. epidermidis strains were observed to produce strong cysteine protease activity when grown at high density. The enzyme responsible for this activity was identified to be EcpA, a cysteine protease under quorum sensing control. EcpA was shown to degrade desmoglein-1 and LL-37 in vitro and disrupted the physical barrier and induced skin inflammation in mice. The abundance of S. epidermidis and expression of ecpA mRNA were increased on the skin of some patients with AD and this correlated with disease severity. Another commensal skin bacterial species, S. hominis, can inhibit EcpA production by S. epidermidis.
CONCLUSION: S. epidermidis was commonly regarded as a beneficial skin microbe while S. aureus considered to be deleterious. This study suggests that the overabundance of S. epidermidis found on some atopic patients can act similarly to S. aureus and damage the skin by expression of a cysteine protease.

PMID: 32634452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

In Reply: Three-Vessel Anastomosis for Direct Bihemispheric Cerebral Revascularization.

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2020 09 15;19(4):E458-E460

Authors: Sekhar LN, Zeeshan Q, Natarajan SK

PMID: 32629481 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Rapid Improvement in Gemcitabine-associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy After a Single Dose of Eculizumab: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Anticancer Res. 2020 Jul;40(7):3995-4000

Authors: Burns ST, Damon L, Akagi N, Laszik Z, Ko AH

Abstract
We present here the case of a 39-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic carcinoma receiving chemotherapy with the combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as part of a clinical trial. Despite an impressive response to therapy, he ultimately developed profound anasarca, renal insufficiency, progressive cytopenias, and malignant hypertension 6 months into his treatment course. The diagnosis of gemcitabine-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (G-TMA) was made based on renal biopsy, and receipt of the anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab proved successful at reversing his deteriorating clinical course and improving his laboratory parameters. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this rare but serious complication, and highlights one potential therapeutic option that can be used in the appropriate clinical context.

PMID: 32620643 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Multimodal single-cell analysis reveals distinct radioresistant stem-like and progenitor cell populations in murine glioma.

Glia. 2020 Jul 04;:

Authors: Alexander J, LaPlant QC, Pattwell SS, Szulzewsky F, Cimino PJ, Caruso FP, Pugliese P, Chen Z, Chardon F, Hill AJ, Spurrell C, Ahrendsen D, Pietras A, Starita LM, Hambardzumyan D, Iavarone A, Shendure J, Holland EC

Abstract
Radiation therapy is part of the standard of care for gliomas and kills a subset of tumor cells, while also altering the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells with stem-like properties preferentially survive radiation and give rise to glioma recurrence. Various techniques for enriching and quantifying cells with stem-like properties have been used, including the fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)-based side population (SP) assay, which is a functional assay that enriches for stem-like tumor cells. In these analyses, mouse models of glioma have been used to understand the biology of this disease and therapeutic responses, including the radiation response. We present combined SP analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing of genetically-engineered mouse models of glioma to show a time course of cellular response to radiation. We identify and characterize two distinct tumor cell populations that are inherently radioresistant and also distinct effects of radiation on immune cell populations within the tumor microenvironment.

PMID: 32621641 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Head and Brain Postmortem Computed Tomography-Autopsy Correlation in Hospital Deaths.

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Sep;41(3):163-175

Authors: Serinelli S, Richardson TE, Destian S, Mirchia K, Williams M, Medina-Perez M, Gitto L

Abstract
The use of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to support autopsy pathology has increased in recent decades. To some extent, PMCT has also been contemplated as a potential alternative to conventional postmortem examination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of PMCT to detect specific pathologic findings in the head and brain in natural hospital deaths.We examined postmortem CT images and autopsy data from 31 subjects who died at SUNY (State University of New York) Upstate University Hospital between 2013 and 2018. Each subject underwent a noncontrast PMCT and a traditional autopsy. A neuroradiologist analyzed PMCT images for head and brain abnormalities. The autopsies were performed by pathologists who were aware of the radiology results.In our series, PMCT was able to detect the majority of the significant space-occupying lesions, although it was not always reliable in ascertaining their nature. Postmortem computed tomography revealed findings usually challenging to detect at autopsy. Unfortunately, there were also situations in which PMCT was misleading, showing changes that were difficult to interpret, or that could be related to postmortem events. Therefore, we conclude PMCT should be used as an adjunct rather than a substitute to autopsy.

PMID: 32618580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

"It's Not the Shunt": An Algorithm for the Assessment of Other Medically Actionable Causes of Vomiting in Children With Craniofacial Malformations.

Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2019 07;56(6):814-816

Authors: Maxey D, Lee A, Wenger T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: After shunt malfunction has been ruled out in children with craniofacial malformations with vomiting, it can be challenging to effectively communicate with front-line providers about their unique medically actionable causes of vomiting as compared to children whose shunts were placed for other reasons (eg, prematurity/intraventricular hemorrhage).
SOLUTION: An algorithm to facilitate communication "What we did that is new": We developed an algorithm to facilitate communication regarding emergent evaluation of vomiting in this population.

PMID: 30587011 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The Synaptic Scaling Literature: A Systematic Review of Methodologies and Quality of Reporting.

Front Cell Neurosci. 2020;14:164

Authors: Moulin TC, Rayêe D, Williams MJ, Schiöth HB

Abstract
The maintenance of the excitability of neurons and circuits is a fundamental process for healthy brain functions. One of the main homeostatic mechanisms responsible for such regulation is synaptic scaling. While this type of plasticity is well-characterized through a robust body of literature, there are no systematic evaluations of the methodological and reporting features from these studies. Our review yielded 168 articles directly investigating synaptic scaling mechanisms, which display relatively high impact, with a median impact factor of 7.76 for the publishing journals. Our methodological analysis identified that 86% of the articles made use of inhibitory interventions to induce synaptic scaling, while only 41% of those studies contain excitatory manipulations. To verify the effects of synaptic scaling, the most assessed outcome was miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) recordings, performed in 71% of the articles. We could also observe that the field is mostly focused on mechanistic studies of the synaptic scaling pathways (70%), rather than the interaction with other types of plasticity, such as Hebbian processes (4%). We found that more than half of the articles failed to describe simple features, such as regulatory compliance statements, ethics committee approval, or statements of conflict of interests. In light of these results, we discuss the strengths and pitfalls existing in synaptic scaling literature.

PMID: 32612512 [PubMed]

Predicting the Trajectory of Any COVID19 Epidemic From the Best Straight Line.

medRxiv. 2020 Jun 28;:

Authors: Levitt M, Scaiewicz A, Zonta F

Abstract
A pipeline involving data acquisition, curation, carefully chosen graphs and mathematical models, allows analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks at 3,546 locations world-wide (all countries plus smaller administrative divisions with data available). Comparison of locations with over 50 deaths shows all outbreaks have a common feature: H(t) defined as loge(X(t)/X(t 1)) decreases linearly on a log scale, where X(t) is the total number of Cases or Deaths on day, t (we use ln for loge). The downward slopes vary by about a factor of three with time constants (1/slope) of between 1 and 3 weeks; this suggests it may be possible to predict when an outbreak will end. Is it possible to go beyond this and perform early prediction of the outcome in terms of the eventual plateau number of total confirmed cases or deaths? We test this hypothesis by showing that the trajectory of cases or deaths in any outbreak can be converted into a straight line. Specifically , is a straight line for the correct plateau value N, which is determined by a new method, Best-Line Fitting (BLF). BLF involves a straight-line facilitation extrapolation needed for prediction; it is blindingly fast and amenable to optimization. We find that in some locations that entire trajectory can be predicted early, whereas others take longer to follow this simple functional form. Fortunately, BLF distinguishes predictions that are likely to be correct in that they show a stable plateau of total cases or death (N value). We apply BLF to locations that seem close to a stable predicted N value and then forecast the outcome at some locations that are still growing wildly. Our accompanying web-site will be updated frequently and provide all graphs and data described here.

PMID: 32607515 [PubMed]