DCM-72 (dexterity, cutaneous, and muscle-72): A composite scoring system for objective assessment of upper limb dysfunction in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Background Context: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is characterized by spinal cord compression, which can present with limb weakness and numbness, loss of fine motor skills, gait disturbance, and bladder dysfunction. The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) and Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension Version Myelopathy (GRASSP-M) scores evaluate distinct aspects to assess the severity of upper and lower extremity dysfunction. Our study aims to develop an integrative, multidimensional Dexterity, Cutaneous, and Muscle (DCM-72) scoring system to provide a more comprehensive and objective evaluation of upper extremity functional impairment.

Spinal cord swelling and intradural compression predict neurological recovery after acute cervical traumatic spinal cord injury.

Intradural spinal cord compression impairs perfusion pressure and is putatively rate-limiting for recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). After cervical tSCI, even minimally improved tissue preservation may help promote neurological recovery. To assess the nature and extent of spinal cord swelling and compression post-acute cervical tSCI, we evaluated several baseline MRI parameters including BASIC score, intramedullary lesion (IML) length, maximal canal compromise (MCC), maximal spinal cord compression (MSCC), extent of cord compression (ECC), maximal swollen anteroposterior diameter adjacent to injury site (Dmax), and maximal cord swelling (MCS) in 169 consecutive patients across 2 centers.

Design and protocol for the decompression-plus trial: a phase 1 clinical study of dorsal myelotomy and expansive duroplasty with or without autologous nerve grafting in acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a devastating condition marked by persistent neurologic deficits. Secondary injury processes following tSCI, including progressive hemorrhagic necrosis and elevated intraspinal pressure (ISP), contribute to ongoing neurologic deterioration. Existing therapeutic strategies have shown limited efficacy, emphasizing the critical need for innovative interventions.

Volumetric changes in the bone flap at one year follow up in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Although bone resorption has been extensively reported following craniectomy, bone resorption and fusion rates following craniotomy remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to conduct a volumetric assessment of craniotomy resorption and fusion rates at one year following the index surgery. Adult patients who had a computed tomography scan immediately after craniotomy and at one year follow up were included in the study.

The effect of antiseizure medication on mortality in spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The efficacy of early antiseizure medication (ASM) is debated. Recent literature reports seizure rates ranging from 7.

Gabapentinoids confer survival benefit in human glioblastoma.

Neuronal-glioma interactions are increasingly recognized as critical in the development and progression of central nervous system tumors. Recent research highlights that gliomas can integrate into neural circuits through various mechanisms, including the synaptogenic factor thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). This new mechanistic understanding of cancer neuroscience allows for novel insights into target discovery.

Evaluating Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Grade 2 Meningioma: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Grade 2 meningiomas are associated with variable rates of local recurrence, and the role of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) remains debated.

Methods: This was a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study including all adult patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated grade 2 meningioma treated at Mass General Brigham hospitals from 2006 to 2020. Cox proportional-hazards modeling was used to analyze the impact of adjuvant RT on progression-free survival (PFS).

Safety of non-osseous union of type II odontoid fractures-a multi-institutional cohort study.

Background Context: The management of type II odontoid fractures in elderly patients presents significant clinical challenges. Surgical treatment may lead to operative complications, while conservative management may increase the risk of non-osseous union, potentially compromising fracture stability.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the safety of non-osseous union subtypes in type II odontoid fractures following conservative treatment and to identify risk factors for unstable fractures.

The utility of the 5-Item frailty index in assessing the risk of complications and mortality following surgical management of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5), an index of reduced physiological reserve, has risen as a predictor of complications following surgical procedures. We examined the association of mFI-5 and surgical outcomes following the management of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (nSAH). We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for patients who received surgical management of nSAH between 2006 and 2021.

Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis After Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: Should We Anticoagulate?

Background: The incidence of dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) following vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery remains understudied. The diverse clinical presentation complicates forming anticoagulation treatment guidelines. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the incidence of DVST post-VS surgery and to evaluate the role of anticoagulation.

An Indian surgeon's perspective on management of asymptomatic gallstones.

Introduction: Cholelithiasis is widely prevalent in India, with a majority of patients being asymptomatic while a small proportion experiencing mild complications. In the laparoscopic era, the rate of cholecystectomies has increased owing to early recovery and fewer complications. In asymptomatic patients, the risk of complications must be balanced against the treatment benefit.

Innovative blood transfusion strategies to address global blood deserts: a consensus statement from the Blood Delivery via Emerging Strategies for Emergency Remote Transfusion (Blood DESERT) Coalition.

In rural settings worldwide, many people live in effective blood deserts without access to any blood transfusion. The traditional system of blood banking is logistically complex and expensive for many resource-restricted settings and demands innovative and multidisciplinary solutions. 17 international experts in medicine, industry, and policy participated in an exploratory process with a 2-day hybrid seminar centred on three promising innovative strategies for blood transfusions in blood deserts: civilian walking blood banks, intraoperative autotransfusion, and drone-based blood delivery.

Dexamethasone and overall survival and progression free survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Glioblastomas, the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults, still hold poor prognosis. Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are usually prescribed to reduce peritumoral edema and limit neurological symptoms, although potential detrimental effects of these drugs have been described. The present meta-analysis aimed to explore the association of dexamethasone with overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Mass Spectrometry-based Single-Cell Lipidomics: Advancements, Challenges, and the Path Forward.

In the past decade, lipidomics, now recognized as standalone subdiscipline of metabolomics, has gained considerable attention. Due to its sensitivity and unparalleled versatility, mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as the tool of choice for lipid identification and detection. Traditional MS-based lipidomics are performed on bulk cell samples.

Victims of armed conflict in India: psychosocial impact and available support.

India has been a part of 5 major wars since its independence in 1947 and hosts over 212,413 refugees from Sri Lanka, Tibet and Bangladesh. So, a wide spectrum of trauma survivors, both civilian and military, live in this country and require mental healthcare. We discuss the psychological impact of armed conflict and how the country and culture tint it uniquely.

The State of Global Trauma and Acute Care Surgery/Surgical Critical Care.

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a significant burden attributable to the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where more than 90% of injury-related deaths occur. Road injuries contribute largely to the economic burden from trauma and are prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Trauma systems vary widely across the world in their capacity of providing basic and critical care to injured patients, with delays in treatment being present at multiple levels at LMICs.

One Scaffold, Different Organelle Sensors: pH-Activable Fluorescent Probes for Targeting Live Microglial Cell Organelles.

Targeting live cell organelles is essential for imaging, understanding, and controlling specific biochemical processes. Typically, fluorescent probes with distinct structural scaffolds are used to target specific cell organelles. Here, we have designed a modular one-step synthetic strategy using a common reaction intermediate to develop new lysosomal, mitochondrial, and nucleus-targeting pH-activable fluorescent probes that are all based on a single boron dipyrromethane scaffold.