Neurosurgery
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Activated protein C (APC) is neuroprotective in stroke models and promotes postischemic neovascularization and neurogenesis. We used a controlled cortical impact (CCI) in mice to determine the effects of APC on neuroprotection and angiogenesis and neurogenesis after traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Activated protein C improves functional outcome and is neuroprotective after TBI. It also promotes angiogenesis and survival and migration of neuroblasts from the SVZ to the perilesional area, but the exact role of these brain repair mechanisms remains to be determined. The present findings suggest that APC therapy may hold a significant therapeutic potential for TBI.
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Treatment decision making in elderly patients with degenerative scoliosis is complex. Although most patients can be adequately treated with nonoperative therapies, a subset ultimately elects for surgical treatment. However, the factors that govern this transition are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess whether standardized measures of health status and disability may be useful in distinguishing those patients who elect for surgical treatment. ⋯ Self-assessments of health and disability distinguish elderly patients with degenerative scoliosis electing for surgery compared with those who continue nonoperative therapies. Standardized measures of health status and disability may be useful in identifying patients nearing the threshold of crossing over to surgical treatment.
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To compare the angiogenic potentials of embolized, gamma knife-treated or untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), using a rat cornea angiogenesis model. ⋯ This study, for the first time, provides experimental semiquantitative data to compare the angiogenic potentials of embolized and gamma knife-treated AVM tissues. Embolization may increase angiogenic activity, and gamma knife radiosurgery may decrease it when compared with activity in previously untreated AVMs. These data can be useful to understand why recurrence of AVMs after angiographically demonstrated endovascular occlusion is common but after gamma knife occlusion is rare.