Extracranial Meningiomas in the Head‑and‑Neck Region: A 15 Years’ Experience

Meningiomas constitute a large group of tumors of the central nervous system, with the prevalence of 18%–20%. Extracranial localization of meningeomas could appear due to their extracranial origin or due to the spreading of intracranial meningeomas. In this paper, we present our 15 years’ experience in the diagnosis and treatment of extra‑ and intracranial meningiomas invading the head‑and‑neck region. In the period from 2001 to 2016 at our clinic, there were five patients (three men and two women), with meningiomas of extracranial origin or meningiomas of intracranial origin, spreading into the head‑and‑neck region. All patients were surgically treated, with the addition of adjuvant radiation therapy in some of the cases. Postoperative and postirradiation complications were described as well.Keywords: Extracranial, head and neck tumors, meningiom

Nonlinear compact localized modes in flux-dressed octagonal-diamond lattice

Tuning the values of artificial flux in the two-dimensional octagonal-diamond lattice drives topological phase transitions, including between singular and non-singular flatbands. We study the dynamical properties of nonlinear compact localized modes that can be continued from linear flatband modes. We show how the stability of the compact localized modes can be tuned by the nonlinearity strength or the applied artificial flux. Our model can be realized using ring resonator lattices or nonlinear waveguide arrays.11Nsciescopu

Correlation between echocardiographic findings and biochemical markers in term newborns with moderate to severe perinatal asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a condition characterized by a gas exchange disorder due to a lack of blood flow or gas exchange, with potential multiorgan dysfunction. Our study aimed to determine the correlation between biochemical markers and echocardiography findings in a group of asphyxiated newborns. The prospective cohort study included 120 neonates (52/120 with PA) treated at a tertial referral pediatric center, from 2012 to 2014. A moderate-strong positive correlation was recorded between the transtricuspid pressure gradient (TRPG) and serum lactate, and between TRPG and NT-proBNP in the PA group (P<0.001) on the 1st day of life. A moderate positive correlation was found between NT-proBNP, lactate and troponins on one side, and TRPG on the other in the PA group after the 2nd measurement. Multinomial regression analysis showed that the lactate level was an independent factor for survival on the 1st (odds ratio (OR) 41.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.14–797.1) and 3rd (OR 136.4, 95% CI 2.27–8206.7) days. Our research confirmed a significant correlation between echocardiographic and biochemical parameters of the myocardial lesion and cardiac function. Due to their complementarity, the use of the biochemical and echocardiographic parameters may be conditioned by their availability