The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of MMP-7 serum levels as biomarkers for brain tumours. This study included 50 patients with meningiomas, other benign tumours, highgrade gliomas, brain metastases and other non-tumour diseases and 41 control individuals. The MMP-7 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We significantly found higher serum levels of MMP-7 in patients with benign brain tumours (2.33 ± 0.37 [SEM] ng/mL, p ¼ 0.006) and brain metastases (2.54 ± 0.33 ng/mL, p ¼ 0.0001) compared to controls (1.48 ± 0.09 ng/mL). Glioblastoma (GBM) patients had serum MMP-7 levels comparable to those of the controls (1.44 ± 0.13 ng/mL, p ¼ 0.901) but significantly lower than those of the patients with benign tumours (p ¼ 0.018) and brain metastases (p ¼ 0.001). In patients with benign tumours, there was a positive correlation with borderline significance between serum MMP-7 levels and leukocyte counts (q ¼ 0.538, p ¼ 0.058). No difference was found (p ¼ 0.448, paired-samples t-test) when comparing the MMP-7 levels in the serum samples obtained at admission and 4-7 days after surgery of some of the patients (n ¼ 7). According to our results, the MMP-7 serum levels might be a useful serum biomarker for benign brain tumours and for brain metastases but not for glioblastoma.

The article discusses the use of transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS), a treatment method that uses ultrasound to penetrate the brain up to 8 cm. The article aims to review published studies on the effects of TPS on Alzheimer’s disease and to link the mechanism of the treatment with the pathophysiology of the disease. The discussion highlights the pathological triad of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and granular degeneration that causes Alzheimer’s disease. Patients with diabetes mellitus are predisposed to degenerative diseases, and the overlap between Alzheimer’s disease and obesity may be explained by the use of streptozotocin, which generates reactive oxygen species leading to DNA damage and cell death. The accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain, mitochondrial malfunction, decreased production of ATP, and energy insufficiency is also discussed. The article concludes that TPS is a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and that it can boost the expression of growth factors, enhance the flow of blood to the brain, trigger the creation of novel blood vessels, and promote the regeneration of nerves.

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BACKGROUND: In the recent years, the incidence of fungal brain abscess has been rising as a result of the increased use of corticosteroid therapy, broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, and immunosuppressive agents. Aspergillosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is reported in 10%–20% of the patients having invasive fungal disease. Commonly, the disease is observed in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients; also, patients who suffered traumatic head injury are reported as well to develop the infection due to due cranial defect accompanied by dural tearing. Symptoms are non-specific neurologic manifestations. CASE PRESENTATION: We presented a case of a 68-year-old man who had diabetes mellitus type II. He was admitted to in neurosurgery clinic due reported head trauma. Initially, he complained of a headache, dizziness, slurred speech, nausea, and pain in the right ear with tinnitus and pain in his right upper teeth – continuous for a month. The patient was conscious, adequate, Glasgow Coma Scale – 15 points, with left-sided hemiparesis, general symptomatic syndrome. An emergent computed tomography scan was performed, which showed tumorous formation in patient’s right temporal lobe that had mass effect and compression of the right lateral ventricle. The patient was discussed on a emergent clinical counsel and it was decided that he was shown for surgical treatment. An informed consent was signed by the patient and his relatives. After the surgery intervention – the histological result of the biopsy was aspergilloma of the brain and the microbiological result was Aspergillus fumigatus. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for CNS aspergillosis is poor, but the early diagnosis and effective medical and surgical treatments may reduce morbidity and mortality.

AIM: Epilepsy is a socially significant neurological disease spread all over the world. Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most used antiepileptic drug (AED) for treatment which has some side effects on hematology field. A nowadays update to the adult safety  information is needed. The current aim is to conduct a cross-sectional study and to describe the hematology profile of adults with epilepsy treated by VPA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection was done retrospectively and includes characteristics of the subjects such as age, gender,  electroencephalography (EEG) finding, duration of VPA treatment, type of treatment, and hematology profile. We report 50 subjects treated by VPA at least 1 year. RESULTS: The mean age is 46, 4 years, 50% male and 50% female. About 92% were generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Seven percent were partial complex epilepsy. Twenty-four EEG results were abnormal (48%). We found 4 cases (7%) of thrombocytopenia at therapeutic dose and 8 cases (16%) of mild anemia. DISCUSSION: Gender differences were eliminated by having the same number of participants of each gender. The EEG findings were almost equally normal and abnormal. Reported drug reactions due to VPA were thrombocytopenia and anemia. Thrombocytopenia requires discontinuation of VPA.