How growing tumour impacts intracranial pressure and deformation mechanics of brain

Brain is an actuator for control and coordination. When a pathology arises in cranium, it may leave a degenerative, disfiguring and destabilizing impact on brain physiology. However, the leading consequences of the same may vary from case to case. Tumour, in this context, is a special type of pathology which deforms brain parenchyma permanently. From translational perspective, deformation mechanics and pressures, specifically the intracranial cerebral pressure (ICP) in a tumour-housed brain, have not been addressed holistically in literature. This is an important area to investigate in neuropathy prognosis. To address this, we aim to solve the pressure mystery in a tumour-based brain in this study and present a fairly workable methodology. Using image-based finite-element modelling, we reconstruct a tumour-based brain and probe resulting deformations and pressures (ICP). Tumour is grown by dilating the voxel region by 16 and 30 mm uniformly. Cumulatively three cases are studied including an existing stage of the tumour. Pressures of cerebrospinal fluid due to its flow inside the ventricle region are also provided to make the model anatomically realistic. Comparison of obtained results unequivocally shows that as the tumour region increases its area and size, deformation pattern changes extensively and spreads throughout the brain volume with a greater concentration in tumour vicinity. Second, we conclude that ICP pressures inside the cranium do increase substantially; however, they still remain under the normal values (15 mmHg). In the end, a correlation relationship of ICP mechanics and tumour is addressed. From a diagnostic purpose, this result also explains why generally a tumour in its initial stage does not show symptoms because the required ICP threshold has not been crossed. We finally conclude that even at low ICP values, substantial deformation progression inside the cranium is possible. This may result in plastic deformation, midline shift etc. in the brain.

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Getting it Together: C. S. Lewis and the Two Hemispheres of Knowing

Journal of Psychology and Theology ◽

10.1177/009164717500300408 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 290-293

Author(s):

Kathryn Lindskoog

Keyword(s):

Left Hemisphere ◽

Right Hemisphere ◽

Prose Fiction ◽

Brain Physiology ◽

Classical Mythology ◽

Per Se ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain

C. S. Lewis's undated poem about the polarity between reason and imagination and our need for their independence and synthesis in ascertaining truth correlates neatly with today's knowledge of the polarity of left-hemisphere and right-hemisphere functions of the brain and our obvious need for balance and synthesis there too. In his poem Lewis personified reason and imagination with two figures from Classical mythology. His first prose fiction and his last prose fiction also deal with aspects of this polarity. Although Lewis never wrote about brain physiology per se, he did write about the relationship of the physical brain to the transcendent mind.

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Effects on Metabolism in Astrocytes Caused by cGAMP, Which Imitates the Initial Stage of Brain Metastasis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22169028 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (16) ◽

pp. 9028

Author(s):

Toya Okawa ◽

Kurumi Hara ◽

Momoko Goto ◽

Moe Kikuchi ◽

Masataka Kogane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Aminobutyric Acid ◽

Potential Mechanism ◽

Initial Stage ◽

Glutamate Production ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

The Brain ◽

Glutamine Production

The second messenger 2′3′-cyclic-GMP-AMP (cGAMP) is thought to be transmitted from brain carcinomas to astrocytes via gap junctions, which functions to promote metastasis in the brain parenchyma. In the current study, we established a method to introduce cGAMP into astrocytes, which simulates the state of astrocytes that have been invaded by cGAMP around tumors. Astrocytes incorporating cGAMP were analyzed by metabolomics, which demonstrated that cGAMP increased glutamate production and astrocyte secretion. The same trend was observed for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Conversely, glutamine production and secretion were decreased by cGAMP treatment. Due to the fundamental role of astrocytes in regulation of the glutamine–glutamate cycle, such metabolic changes may represent a potential mechanism and therapeutic target for alteration of the central nervous system (CNS) environment and the malignant transformation of brain carcinomas.

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Polymeric Nanoparticles for Brain Drug Delivery - A Review

Current Drug Metabolism ◽

10.2174/1389200221666200508074348 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 649-660

Author(s):

Subashini Raman ◽

Syed Mahmood ◽

Ayah R. Hilles ◽

Md Noushad Javed ◽

Motia Azmana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Surface Modification ◽

Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽

Drug Loading ◽

Preparation Methods ◽

Brain Drug Delivery ◽

Polymeric Nanoparticle ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain

Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a most hindering role in drug delivery to the brain. Recent research comes out with the nanoparticles approach, is continuously working towards improving the delivery to the brain. Currently, polymeric nanoparticle is extensively involved in many therapies for spatial and temporal targeted areas delivery. Methods: We did a non-systematic review, and the literature was searched in Google, Science Direct and PubMed. An overview is provided for the formulation of polymeric nanoparticles using different methods, effect of surface modification on the nanoparticle properties with types of polymeric nanoparticles and preparation methods. An account of different nanomedicine employed with therapeutic agent to cross the BBB alone with biodistribution of the drugs. Results: We found that various types of polymeric nanoparticle systems are available and they prosper in delivering the therapeutic amount of the drug to the targeted area. The effect of physicochemical properties on nanoformulation includes change in their size, shape, elasticity, surface charge and hydrophobicity. Surface modification of polymers or nanocarriers is also vital in the formulation of nanoparticles to enhance targeting efficiency to the brain. Conclusion: More standardized methods for the preparation of nanoparticles and to assess the relationship of surface modification on drug delivery. While the preparation and its output like drug loading, particle size, and charge, permeation is always conflicted, so it requires more attention for the acceptance of nanoparticles for brain delivery.

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The relationship of morphometric changes of the brain with IL-6 levels, systemic inflammation and immune disturbances in the patients with schizophrenia

Procedia Computer Science ◽

10.1016/j.procs.2021.06.064 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 190 ◽

pp. 553-559

Author(s):

Irina K. Malashenkova ◽

Vadim L. Ushakov ◽

Sergey A. Krynskiy ◽

Daniil P. Ogurtsov ◽

Nikita A. Khailov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain

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Macrophages and microglia: the cerberus of glioblastoma

Acta Neuropathologica Communications ◽

10.1186/s40478-021-01156-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alice Buonfiglioli ◽

Dolores Hambardzumyan

Keyword(s):

Tumor Cells ◽

Innate Immune System ◽

Tumor Heterogeneity ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Malignant Growth ◽

Neoplastic Cells ◽

Functional Roles ◽

The Brain

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadliest of the primary brain tumors, characterized by malignant growth, invasion into the brain parenchyma, and resistance to therapy. GBM is a heterogeneous disease characterized by high degrees of both inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Another layer of complexity arises from the unique brain microenvironment in which GBM develops and grows. The GBM microenvironment consists of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. The most abundant non-neoplastic cells are those of the innate immune system, called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs constitute up to 40% of the tumor mass and consist of both brain-resident microglia and bone marrow-derived myeloid cells from the periphery. Although genetically stable, TAMs can change their expression profiles based upon the signals that they receive from tumor cells; therefore, heterogeneity in GBM creates heterogeneity in TAMs. By interacting with tumor cells and with the other non-neoplastic cells in the tumor microenvironment, TAMs promote tumor progression. Here, we review the origin, heterogeneity, and functional roles of TAMs. In addition, we discuss the prospects of therapeutically targeting TAMs alone or in combination with standard or newly-emerging GBM targeting therapies.

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Practical application of synthetic head models in real ballistic cases

International Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00414-021-02671-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

F. Riva ◽

T. Fracasso ◽

A. Guerra ◽

P. Genet

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissues ◽

Spherical Model ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Human Bone ◽

Shape Model ◽

The Difference ◽

Open Shape ◽

The Brain ◽

Synthetic Models ◽

Representative Material

AbstractIn shooting crimes, ballistics tests are often recommended in order to reproduce the wound characteristics of the involved persons. For this purpose, several “simulants” can be used. However, despite the efforts in the research of “surrogates” in the field of forensic ballistic, the development of synthetic models needs still to be improved through a validation process based on specific real caseworks. This study has been triggered by the findings observed during the autopsy performed on two victims killed in the same shooting incident, with similar wounding characteristics; namely two retained head shots with ricochet against the interior wall of the skull; both projectiles have been recovered during the autopsies after migration in the brain parenchyma. The thickness of the different tissues and structures along the bullets trajectories as well as the incident angles between the bullets paths and the skull walls have been measured and reproduced during the assemblage of the synthetic head models. Two different types of models (“open shape” and “spherical”) have been assembled using leather, polyurethane and gelatine to simulate respectively skin, bone and soft tissues. Six shots have been performed in total. The results of the models have been compared to the findings of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and the autopsy findings.Out of the six shots, two perforated the models and four were retained. When the projectile was retained, the use of both models allowed reproducing the wounds characteristics observed on both victims in terms of penetration and ricochet behaviour. However, the projectiles recovered from the models showed less deformation than the bullets collected during the autopsies. The “open shape” model allowed a better controlling on the shooting parameters than the “spherical” model. Finally, the difference in bullet deformation could be caused by the choice of the bone simulant, which might under-represent either the strength or the density of the human bone. In our opinion, it would be worth to develop a new, more representative material for ballistic which simulates the human bone.

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Primary Cranial Vault Lymphoma Extending between Subcutaneous Tissue and Brain Parenchyma without Skull Destruction after Mild Head Trauma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Case Reports in Oncology ◽

10.1159/000516272 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1118-1123

Author(s):

Kengo Setta ◽

Takaaki Beppu ◽

Yuichi Sato ◽

Hiroaki Saura ◽

Junichi Nomura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tumor Cells ◽

Head Trauma ◽

Dura Mater ◽

Subcutaneous Tissue ◽

Bone Destruction ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Skin Tumor ◽

Cranial Vault ◽

The Brain

Malignant lymphoma of the head rarely arises outside of the brain parenchyma as primary cranial vault lymphoma (PCVL). A case of PCVL that invaded from subcutaneous tissue into the brain, passing through the skull, and occurred after mild head trauma is reported along with a review of the literature. The patient was a 75-year-old man with decreased activity. One month before his visit to our hospital, he bruised the left frontal area of his head. Magnetic resonance imaging showed homogeneously enhanced tumors with contrast media in the subcutaneous tissue corresponding to the head impact area and the cerebral parenchyma, but no obvious abnormal findings in the skull. A biopsy with craniotomy was performed under general anesthesia. The pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. On histological examination, tumor cells grew aggressively under the skin. Tumor cells invaded along the emissary vein into the external table without remarkable bone destruction and extended across the skull through the Haversian canals in the diploe. Tumor cells were found only at the perivascular areas in the dura mater and extended into the brain parenchyma. Considering the history of head trauma and the neuroimaging and histological findings, the PCVL in the present case arose primarily under the skin, passed though the skull and dura mater, and invaded along vessels and reached the brain.

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Microglial Function and Regulation during Development, Homeostasis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10040957 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 957

Author(s):

Brad T. Casali ◽

Erin G. Reed-Geaghan

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Primary Role ◽

And Function ◽

Inflammatory Milieu ◽

The Brain ◽

Homeostatic State

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain, deriving from yolk sac progenitors that populate the brain parenchyma during development. During development and homeostasis, microglia play critical roles in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity, in addition to their primary role as immune sentinels. In aging and neurodegenerative diseases generally, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) specifically, microglial function is altered in ways that significantly diverge from their homeostatic state, inducing a more detrimental inflammatory environment. In this review, we discuss the receptors, signaling, regulation and gene expression patterns of microglia that mediate their phenotype and function contributing to the inflammatory milieu of the AD brain, as well as strategies that target microglia to ameliorate the onset, progression and symptoms of AD.

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CTNI-03. IMAGING FEATURES OF LEPTOMENINGEAL METASTASES OF NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER: A SINGLE-CENTER REAL-WORLD STUDY

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.170 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii41-ii41

Author(s):

Junjie Zhen ◽

Lei Wen ◽

Shaoqun Li ◽

Mingyao Lai ◽

Changguo Shan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Type A ◽

Brain Parenchyma ◽

Imaging Features ◽

Type B ◽

Type D ◽

Mri Examination ◽

Mri Features ◽

Brain And Spinal Cord ◽

The Brain

Abstract BACKGROUND According to EANO-ESMO clinical practice guidelines, the MRI findings of LM are divided into 4 types, namely linear enhancement (type A), nodular enhancement (type B), linear combined with nodular enhancement (type C), and sign of hydrocephalus (type D). METHODS The MRI features of brain and spinal cord in patients diagnosed with NSCLC-LM in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from 2010 until 2019 were investigated, and then were classified into 4 types. The imaging features were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 53.5 years old, and the median time from the initial diagnosis to the confirmed diagnosis of LM was 11.6 months. The results of enhanced MRI examination of the brain in 79 cases showed that the number of cases with enhancements of type A, B, C and D were 50 (63.3%), 0, 26 (32.9%) and 3 (3.8%), respectively, and that LM with metastases to the brain parenchyma was found in 42 cases (53.2%). The results of enhanced MRI examination of spinal cord in 59 cases showed that there were only enhancements of type A and C in 40 cases (67.8%) and 3 cases (5.0%), and no enhancement sign in the other 16 cases (27.2%). CONCLUSION MRI examination of brain and spinal cord will improve the detection rate of LM. The MRI features of NSCLC-LM in real world are mainly characterized by the linear enhancements of brain and spinal cord, followed by linear combined with nodular enhancement. The enhancements of type B and type D are rare in clinic. Almost half of the patients have LM and metastases to the brain parenchyma. Therefore, the differentiation of tumor metastases is needed to be paid attention to for the early diagnosis and the formulation of reasonable treatment plans.

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