Emerging Cellular Therapies for Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of malignant primary brain cancer in adults. It is composed of highly malignant cells that display metastatic and angiogenic characteristics, making it resistant to current first-line chemotherapy with temozolomide, an alkylating agent. Despite many years of research, GBM remains poorly responsive to multiple available therapies, giving GBM patients, who receive the conventional combination of chemoradiotherapies and surgical resection, a dismal prognosis. There is growing evidence that the conventional systemic chemotherapeutic agents for GBM are ineffective in improving the disease progression. We aim to explore the emerging cellular therapies which may play a significant role in treating GBM

The Current Understanding of MicroRNA\u27s Therapeutic, Diagnostic, and Prognostic Role in Chordomas: A Review of the Literature.

Chordomas are primary low-grade bone tumors derived from the embryonic notochord that make up less than 5% of all osseous malignancies and commonly affect the spine at its vertebral body and at its two ends i.e., skull base and the sacrum. Although histologically defined to be low-grade, chordoma is locally destructive, metastatic, and has a serious recurrence rate, which all contribute to the dismal median survival rate of six years. Its locally destructive nature places the adjacent vital neurovascular structures at risk, making an en-bloc resection a challenge. This tumor is also known to show high resistance to currently available chemoradiotherapy, although the benefit of proton beam therapy for skull base chordoma has been demonstrated. There is an additional need to focus our attention on investigating the molecular biology of this chemoradiotherapy-resistant tumor to develop a more targeted therapy, which has additional diagnostic and prognostic values. In this paper, we discuss the therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in chordomas

The Current Trend of the Translational Research Paradigm.

The translational research paradigm is a process of discovering basic science concepts and applying the knowledge in clinical practice, aiming to improve patient care. The stages involved in the paradigm form a complex network of shared knowledge amongst research collaborators, including patients. This nature of the paradigm allows those involved to work together effectively. However, the translational research paradigm is often overlooked by many scientists, educators, and research institutions. Hence, a large amount of comprehensive and hugely invested research projects fail to make a scientific impact. We aim to outline and describe this paradigm in order to aid in the successful translation of effective research

Fenestration of the Proximal Left Ovarian Vein.

A fenestration in the left ovarian vein was found in a fresh-frozen female cadaver. The opening did not have any vessels or additional anatomical structures passing through it. The ovarian vein is also referred to as the female gonadal vein. This type of anatomical variation is clinically relevant in procedures that deal with the manipulation of the gonadal veins, specifically conditions such as ovarian vein thrombosis, ovarian vein stenosis, and pelvic congestion syndrome

Cadaveric Study for Intraoral Needle Access to the Infratemporal Fossa: Application to Posterior Superior Alveolar Nerve Block Technique.

The posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve block is, from an anatomical perspective, challenging because the mandibular ramus and the zygomatic process of the maxilla can interfere with the course of the needle. Dentists empirically know that shifting the patient\u27s mandible to the ipsilateral side can improve visibility and accessibility for such blocks. This cadaveric study aimed to establish anatomical evidence for the ipsilateral mandible shifting used in the PSA. The distance between the lateral most bulging point of the alveolar part of the maxilla and ipsilateral anterior border of the ramus of the mandible ranged from 1.4 to 6.9 mm with a mean of 4.3 ± 1.6 mm. This result supports the empirical technique of shifting the mandible ipsilaterally for PSA nerve block

Clinical Anatomy of the Frenulum of the Oral Vestibule.

Introduction The frenula of the oral vestibule include the labial and buccal frenula. Abnormal labial and buccal frenula can affect facial esthetics and oral cavity function by retracting the gingival margin, creating a median diastema, and limiting lip movement. Because of the lack of information on these structures, we aimed to clarify their anatomy. Methods A total of 34 sides from 17 fresh frozen cadaveric Caucasian heads were used in the present study. The specimens were derived from 11 male and 6 female adult cadavers. The relationships between the frenulum of the mucosa and the tissue underneath the mucosa was observed. Results The buccal frenulum was formed by the border of mimetic muscles and connective tissues. Comparitively, the labial frenulum was only formed by taut connective tissue. Conclusion We found that the buccal and labial frenula have different compositions. This finding may have relevance both in oral surgery and in various cosmetic procedures near the oral vestibule

Variant Distal Ulnar Nerve Loop: A Previously Undescribed Anatomical Finding.

A previously undescribed variant ulnar nerve loop was discovered during the routine anatomic forearm and hand dissection of an adult female. The major finding was that of a large loop traveling around the distal tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The variation presented here appears to be unique. The exact function of such derailed anatomy is not clear but, if found during surgery, might confound normal dissection methods or, when present, could result in varied clinical presentations regarding the sensory or motor examination of the hand