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Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a well-known regulator of cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, has recently garnered attention for its emerging involvement in cancer biology. The multifunctional nature of PCSK9 extends beyond lipid regulation and encompasses a wide range of cellular processes that can influence cancer progression. Studies have revealed that PCSK9 can modulate signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin, thereby influencing cellular proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Additionally, the interplay between PCSK9 and cholesterol homeostasis may impact membrane dynamics and cellular migration, further influencing tumor aggressiveness. The central role of the immune system in monitoring and controlling cancer is increasingly recognized. Recent research has demonstrated the ability of PCSK9 to modulate immune responses through interactions with immune cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. This includes effects on dendritic cell maturation, T cell activation, and cytokine production, suggesting a role in shaping antitumor immune responses. Moreover, the potential influence of PCSK9 on immune checkpoints such as PD1/PD-L1 lends an additional layer of complexity to its immunomodulatory functions. The growing interest in cancer immunotherapy has prompted exploration into the potential of targeting PCSK9 for therapeutic benefits. Preclinical studies have demonstrated synergistic effects between PCSK9 inhibitors and established immunotherapies, offering a novel avenue for combination treatments. The strategic manipulation of PCSK9 to enhance tumor immunity and improve therapeutic outcomes presents an exciting area for further investigations. Understanding the mechanisms by which PCSK9 influences cancer biology and immunity holds promise for the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intricate connections between PCSK9, cancer pathogenesis, tumor immunity, and the potential implications for immunotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of mentorships in medical education and neurosurgery is highly attributed to the support and encouragement of the advances and learning opportunities for medical students and junior neurosurgeons. Planning a mentorship program according to the target audience offers to satisfy different interests and enhance education. One of the main issues with most of the already implemented programs is the sustainability and inability to maintain continuous cycles of mentorship, which have a negative impact and have led to an interrupted pattern of learning which eventually leads to a decline in the engagement of participants and loss of interest. This problem is most pronounced in war-torn countries, with Iraq as an example, where external circumstances lead to an arrest in the educational process and a depletion of the resources useful for such programs and training courses. This paper aims to address the main pathways essential in planning a sustainable mentorship program in a war-torn country by highlighting our experience in maintaining an ongoing mentorship with nine consecutive courses over the last 6 years in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study included the isolation and diagnosis of fungi from different places of the watercourse of Baghdad University in AL-Jadryia. The samples were collected twice a week for a period of three months, starting from October to December of the year 2022. The results showed average ranges of the air and water temperature with values of 20.6- 34 and 15.5- 24.5ºC, respectively, while pH ranged from 7.4- 7.7; electrical conductivity ranges were 710- 714μS/ cm, and salinity ranged from 4.4- 4.5mg/ L. The highest percentage of genus identified from water samples was Aspergillus niger, comprising 18.9%. The isolation of adherent fungi on Limnaea stagnalis revealed a variety of fungal species, with the highest percentage being Aspergillus sp., accounting for 20.2%. The isolation of adherent fungi on the invertebrate Spongilla lacustris showed that Aspergillus sp. had the highest percentage, accounting for 27.1%. Furthermore, isolating fungi from inside the tissues of Limnaea stagnalis, after treating it with a chlorine solution diluted with water to remove all external microorganisms, revealed that Achlya sp. was the most prevalent genus, comprising 27.2%. The fungi obtained from inside Spongilla lacustris tissues showed that Saprolegnia sp. had the highest percentage, accounting for 17.5%. The current study aimed to identify the biological diversity of fungi that were isolated from the stream located in the Jadriyah area, which derives its water from the Tigris River from some types of invertebrates, as well as the possibility of using these types of invertebrates as traps and a natural alternative to cultural media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Proctoring in neuroendovascular surgery is one of the potential solutions for the shortage of personnel and experience, particularly in unstable and limited-resource areas such as Iraq. Methods: The study was conducted at the Baghdad Neurovascular Center (BNC), the first Hybrid neurovascular institution in Iraq, where sequential online zoom-based meetings between the BNC team and the expert from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were used for teleproctoring for neurointerventional procedures. Results: A total of 28 sessions were conducted, four sessions for each case. Seven cases with various intracranial vascular lesions were operated for neuroendovascular procedures from July/2021 to March/2022. The teleproctoring for each case included four sequential sessions: (1) preoperative planning, (2) device selection and preparation, (3) intraoperative live-stream proctoring, and (4) postoperative reflection and follow-up planning. The procedures include coiling for dural arteriovenous fistula; preoperative tumor embolization; preoperative, partial, and staged embolization for arteriovenous malformation; coiling for intracranial aneurysm; and attempted Giant aneurysm flow-diversion. Major complications were avoided through teleproctoring, and all patients had good outcomes. In addition, the teleproctoring provided an effective training experience to the local neuroendovascular team that is otherwise not feasible. Conclusion: Teleproctoring is an effective and feasible tool to improve patient outcomes and provide a training experience to the local neuroendovascular teams in resource-limited regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have a wide range of applications from electronic products to electric mobility and space exploration rovers. This results in an increase in the demand for LIBs, driven primarily by the growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs). This growing demand will eventually lead to large amounts of waste LIBs dumped into landfills which can cause serious environmental problems. To reduce this environmental impact, the need for efficient recycling technology emerges. Furthermore, it has been proven that recycling waste LIBs consume less material and energy than producing new ones from virgin materials. Therefore, this paper aims to review different recycling technologies including hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, direct recycling, and precise separation. The review concludes that hydrometallurgy might be the most efficient method of recycling waste LIBs on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension is the property of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study deals with the chemical modification of polyethylene glycol (PEG) based on shear thickening fluids (STFs) and their application to improve the ballistic impact and quasi-static resistance performance of 3D E-glass fabrics. The carrier fluid (PEG 200) was modified with two different agents, oxalic acid and glutaric acid. The modified PEGs were then characterized by FTIR analysis. The rheological analysis of modified STF using glutaric (G/STF) and oxalic acid (O/STF) showed an improvement in peak viscosity by 10.33 and 3.28 times compared to pure STF (P/STF), respectively. Moreover, PEG modification resulted in higher chain length and a higher number of hydrophilic functional groups, representing superior media-particle interaction through abundant H-bonding. As a result of improved viscosity, the ballistic resistance and quasi-static performance of modified STF-treated fabrics were enhanced compared to that of P/STF-treated fabrics. A two-step artificial intelligence regression analysis was performed to predict quasi-static puncture resistance at different puncture speeds. The results showed a strong correlation between the load-deformation behavior and the loading speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central sulcus is an important anatomical landmark the location of most of the anatomical structures and cortical lesions are described by their relation to the central sulcus [9,19]. During direct observation of the cerebral cortex, it is not always easy to understand the cortical anatomy of the sulci and gyri due to the presence of arachnoid matter. Furthermore, there often is anatomical variation in this region [13]. Therefore, this paper presents the crucial methods for identifying the central sulcus's exact anatomical location as it is critical for the neurosurgical team and to discuss its surgical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Intra-operative rupture (IOR) of intracranial aneurysms is a critical event affecting the operation course and the patient's outcome. However, A rupture induced by an avulsion in the aneurysmal neck is exceedingly challenging, as sealing the neck tear by clip application might result in ischemic injury due to parent vessel occlusion. Here we reviewed the literature regarding the intraoperative avulsion of the aneurysmal neck with an illustrative case to provide explanations of its surgical management intricacies. Methods. A Midline PubMed literature review was performed using the following keywords; (Aneurysm) AND (neck) AND (surgery or clipping) AND (tear OR avulsion). Fifty-three results were found initially. After excluding non-human subject studies, and non-English studies, two independent researchers examined the title and the abstract for the cases of neck tear or avulsion with its management. Results. Fourteen articles were found to be included in this study. The average age of the cases is around 57 years. The percentages of females in the review were 62% (8/13), and among the males, 38% (5/13). Regarding the locations, PcomA and AcomA were both 23% (3/13) of the cases; other locations include ACA, 15%, and MCA, 15%. The surgical techniques that opted from the literature include the cotton clip method, clip wrapping, parallel clipping and micro-suturing. Conclusion. IOR due to aneurysmal neck avulsion is a devastating surgical complication, and its management may differ according to the extent of the rupture. Choosing the most convenient technique depends on the surgeon's knowledge and experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A multidisciplinary team (MDT) brings together a group of healthcare professionals from different fields at a specific time to discuss a case. People in an MDT can contribute to the decisions and plans for diagnosing and managing the patient. [1]. MDT in healthcare settings is essential; the main aim is to bring together a group of healthcare professionals from different fields and combine their inputs--this assistance in discussing patients' presentations and findings, determining comprehensive treatment plans, and treatment side effects. The physical and psychological effects of impaired of these functions can significantly impact patients' quality of life and social well-being. [1]. In war-torn countries with limited resources and complex specialities like neurosurgery, MDT-based decisions may significantly impact the treatment process and outcome. In this paper, we try to highlight the differences in MDT-based work environments compared to the paucity of such organized decisions in war-torn regions of Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding scientific phenomena requires learners to construct mental models of causal systems. Simulation-based discovery learning offers learners the opportunity to construct mental models and test them against the behavior of a simulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate sequential patterns of learner actions and utterances associated with outcomes of simulation-based guided discovery learning. We conducted a sequence analysis of data gathered from 11 undergraduate students engaged in discovery learning. Three related methods were used for the sequence analysis: Levenshtein edit distance, k-means clustering of the Levenshtein distance, and the Kohonen generalized median sequence. The median sequences of high-gaining and low-gaining participants showed qualitative differences in how they gathered evidence, stated claims, and drew explanatory inferences. Differences between the sequences of actions and utterances of high-gaining and low-gaining participants suggested ways that students might be guided to enhance discovery learning. By tracking the learning patterns of learners, researchers can determine the conditions under which prompts should be provided and offer recommendations for transforming less effective learning strategies to more effective ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, management and quality of life of psoriasis patients with and without coexistent lupus erythematosus (LE). Methods: This retrospective cross‐sectional study uses data from the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry (MPR) from January 2007 to December 2018. Results: Of 21 735 psoriasis patients, 34 (0.16%) had coexistent LE. The male to female ratio among psoriasis patients with coexistent LE was 1:5.8 versus 1.3:1 in patients with psoriasis but without LE. Nearly 70% presented with LE preceding psoriasis. Psoriasis patients with LE had an earlier age of psoriasis onset (27.56 ± 11.51 versus 33.31 ± 16.94 years, P = 0.006), a higher rate of psoriatic arthropathy (26.5% versus 13.0%, P = 0.02), and a significantly greater impairment of quality of life (Dermatology Quality of Life Index >10; 57.6% versus 40.3%, P = 0.04) compared with psoriasis patients without LE. The majority (87.5%) had systemic LE. The incidences of lupus nephritis (72.7% versus 40%) and hematological abnormalities (50% versus 20%) were higher among patients with LE preceding psoriasis compared with those with psoriasis preceding LE. Antinuclear antibody and double‐stranded DNA were positive in 59.4% and 28.1% of psoriasis patients with LE, respectively. Hydroxychloroquine triggered the onset of psoriasis in 7 (24.1%) patients. Patients with LE were more likely to receive systemic treatment for psoriasis compared with those without LE (30.3% versus 14.2%, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Psoriasis patients with coexistent LE were uncommon, displayed a female preponderance, were more likely to have joint involvement, and had greater quality of life impairment than those without LE. LE preceded psoriasis in most of these patients, and systemic LE was the most common subtype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transorbital (Orbito-cranial) injuries are uncommon, but they are among the most debilitating types of traumatic brain injury (TBI), mainly caused by high-velocity gunshot wounds. In addition, the management of transorbital TBI is well documented in the literature. In contrast, the cranio-orbital migration of a bullet following TBI is rarely reported. In this article, we report a reverse cranio-orbital penetration of a bullet after a TBI from the occiput with a discussion about its management. Case Description: A 34-year-old male presented with a loss of consciousness to the emergency department. His Glasgow Coma Scale was 10 (E3, V3, M4), with a left-sided weakness grade of 3 on the Medical Research Council of Canada scale. A head computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, which revealed a bullet embedded in the right orbit with an entrance point from the right occipital bone. Moreover, the CT scan showed an intraventricular hemorrhage in the lateral ventricle. The surgery was performed where the hematoma was evacuated, the scalp was debrided, and the bullet was removed successfully. However, the patient died on the 7th postoperatively. Conclusion: Cranio-orbital penetrating brain injury is a severe yet rare type of penetrating brain injury. The direction of cranio-orbital injury is usually from the orbital region to the cerebrum. In our case, the retrograde fashion of the bullet migration renders it unique and calls for further studies to highlight the differences in injury and management of such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes synthesis of some new luminol derivatives, which might play an important role in biological active agents. These new synthesized compounds are functionalized based on luminol (LM) with different carboxylic drugs such as mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, and ampicillin). Synthesis processes was conducted by converting carboxylic group in the investigated drugs into acid chloride group by reacting with SOCl2. Then the synthesized chloride drug derivatives were reacted with luminol in presences of DMSO and TEA to yield the final target molecules. These compounds were characterized using FTIR, NMR and CHNS techniques. Besides that, their physical properties and solubility were also investigated. Biological activity of the derivatives (TH1-TH4) was investigated using a pathogenic bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus (gram +ve), and Escherichia (E. coli) (gram -ve). The obtained results for antibacterial activity showed that TH1-TH4 derivatives have higher antibacterial activity against these types of bacteria in comparison with pure LM compound and the investigated drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the globe has seen a rapid proliferation of the vital technology known as the smartphone. Although all age groups--children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly--need to use it on a daily basis for a variety of functions, it has long-term negative effects on their health. Objectives: To determine the proportion of children who use smartphones and relationship with demographic variables, and the impact of smart phone use on the social, psychological and behavioral aspects of children. Subjects and methods: The study targeted parents with children younger than 10 years in Baghdad city. A self-reported questionnaires were distributed among 200 parents that were conveniency selected throughout the period of 10th January to 25th May 2022. Results: 90.3% of children were found to use smart phone devices with boy predominance (66%); mean age 7±1.63 Years. A 37.6% of children have their own devices. Most parents (88.6%) supervise on their children while they are on the devices. Most children were normal, the remaining 12%, 7%, 6%, 3% open minded, nervous, audacious, and isolated, consequently. Fifty-eight of parents noticed variation in children's behaviors before and after using smartphone. Psychological effects detected in 17% of children. 46% of both girls & boys smart phone have effects on their study. Approximately 10% have problems in growth processes, and lost regular meals (64%). Conclusions: The majority of parents notice differences in their child's behaviors after using smart phones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidance during inquiry learning plays an important role in developing conceptual understanding and inquiry skills. This study analysed learner‐tutor interactions in a simulation‐assisted learning environment to investigate how tutor guidance enabled knowledge construction and fostered epistemic practice. Objectives: This research aimed to illuminate challenges learners encounter in the inquiry process and forms of guidance that support learning in both conceptual and epistemic aspects. Methods: This study uses a mixed methods approach. We analysed video recordings in which nine participants asked 72 questions and the microsequences of interactions immediately surrounding and including each question. We coded properties of each question and whether the tutors' utterances were intended to increase (upregulate) or decrease (downregulate) the complexity of the inquiry processes, and used a two‐step cluster analysis to explore groupings emerged from tutors' regulation guidance and learners' questions. Results and Conclusions: The regulatory intent of tutors' utterances depended on various characteristics of student questions. The microsequences clustered in five categories: 1) upregulated investigation and inference, 2) upregulated evidence‐based justification, 3) downregulated cognitive load, 4) downregulated procedural uncertainties, and 5) downregulated perceptual dissonance. Our findings suggest tutors offering guiding prompts should consider dual processes in the inquiry and, by strategically prompting them, strike a balance between the goals of guiding learners to discover scientific knowledge and grounding their conceptual understanding in concepts, data, and procedures. Implications: We emphasize conceptual and epistemic learning should be concurrently guided in scientific inquiry. We propose a bidirectional guidance model as a pedagogical approach to guide instructional practice. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Rapid technological change urges schools to equip students with research and inquiry skills.Computer simulations provide an information‐rich environment for inquiry‐based learning.Guidance in inquiry learning is important for knowledge acquisition and the development of inquiry skills. What this paper adds: We illuminated challenges learners encounter in the inquiry learning process.We analysed forms of guidance that support learning in both conceptual and epistemic aspects.We identified dual processes involved in the inquiry process that have important implications.We proposed a bidirectional model for adaptive guidance in scientific inquiry. Implications of study findings for practitioners: Adaptive guidance facilitates conceptual and epistemic understanding by stimulating curiosity and reducing uncertainty in the inquiry process.Conceptual and epistemic learning need to be concurrently guided in scientific inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In scientific inquiry learning, within-task guidance tailored to the learner's domain knowledge and inquiry skill may be essential to promote intended learning outcomes. However, due to dynamic complexity across the timeline of inquiry learning, principles for designing tailored guidance are elusive. In this study, experienced tutors provided just-in-time guidance to 11 learners. We analysed tutor-learner interactions to investigate how tutors adapted guidance. We found tutors provided five types of guidance: prompts, support for domain knowledge, assessments, hints, and feedback. Guidance was provided when learners made errors, expressed difficulties, or asked questions; or when the tutor judged a learner successfully demonstrated a skill and was ready to progress to a follow-on skill. Based on these results, we propose a model for tailored, just-in-time guidance in simulation-assisted inquiry learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVMs) are either clinically silent or symptomatic. The most common presentation in more than half of all CAVMs presenting patients is hemorrhage which is accompanied by long-standing neurological morbidity and mortality. This report presents a case of an atypical large, slow-flow paramedian AVM with a dilated venous varix managed with surgery. The impact of the intraoperative findings on the diagnosis and the operative technique will be discussed. Case Description: In otherwise, healthy 26-year-old male complained of repeated episodes of generalized seizures and loss of consciousness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right parietal paramedian arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with signs of an old hemorrhagic cavity beneath it. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a slow-filling AVM with dilated venous varix drains into the superior sagittal sinus. However, the exact point of drainage cannot be appreciated. The filling of the AVM occurred precisely with the beginning of the venous phase. Intraoperatively, we noticed a whitish spherical mass, thick hemosiderin tissue, and a large cavity below the nidus; then, a complication-free complete microsurgical resection of this high-grade AVM was performed. Postoperatively, the patient suffered two attacks of seizures in the first few hours after the surgery, for which he received antiepileptics. MRI was clear during follow-up, and the patient was seizure-free and neurologically intact. Conclusion: Parietal convexity AVMs are challenging lesions to tackle. However, the chronicity and the slowfilling of the AVM, in this case, can render the surgical pathway more direct and accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flow diverters are becoming one of the main endovascular procedures used to treat aneurysms. Flow diverter devices (FDDs) have multiple types approved for endovascular procedure use. Although their indications are not well described, they are usually used for large or giant, wide-necked, and recurrent aneurysms. Multiple FDDs can be deployed to treat giant aneurysms to ensure and accelerate aneurysm occlusion and mitigate complications. We report a case of endovascular treatment of an intracranial aneurysm using three silk FDDs complicated by a delayed migration of the stents along the parent artery, along with a literature review of the related cases. Methods: We conducted a PubMed Medline database search by the following combined formula of subjects headings: ((((((intracranial aneurysm[MeSH Terms]) AND (endovascular procedure[MeSH Terms])) OR (endovascular technique[MeSH Terms])) AND (endovascular[Title/Abstract]) AND (Flow diverter[Title/Abstract])) OR (flow diversion[Title/Abstract])) OR (Pipeline[Title/Abstract])) AND (Multiple[Title/Abstract]). Results: The result was eight cases of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with multiple FDD. The male-to-female ratio in these cases was 5:3, and there is a wide age range from 22 months to 69 years old. The cases differed in the type and number of FDDs used, yet, they all had similar results with aneurysm occlusion and recovery of the patient with no observed complications. Conclusion: Tandem flow diverter deployment has technical challenges and complications such as complete obstruction can occur. Planning and learning from experience with those new technologies are the typical way to overcome such complications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rectus gyrus hematoma (RGH) is a localized intracerebral hemorrhage involving the most medial part of the orbital surface of the frontal lobe. It can be an imaging finding in the setting of a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm; however, other differentials are rarely reported in the literature. In this paper, we opt to present for the 1st time an overview of RGH regarding its history, anatomical correlation, and related neuroimaging with particular emphasis on the potential differential diagnosis for underlying pathologies. Methods: A literature review was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Google scholar databases to review the existing literature highlighting the history, pertinent anatomy, and clinical characteristics of RGH. Results: The literature review yielded papers targeting the RGH neither as a radiological sign nor as a surgical correlate to the cerebrovascular lesion. We used the available indirectly related articles to formulate an overview to serve the aim of this paper and to highlight the potential value of studying the RGH. Conclusion: The RGH may represent an overlooked radiological finding that has potential significance through its relation to a set of vascular lesions affecting the brain. Further studies into the topic are needed to expand the utility of this sign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a low-velocity object is a rare entity with a potential range of critical complications. Case Description: We report a unique case of a 30-year-old male presenting with penetrating TBI caused by a rifle's cleaning rod. The rod passes through the left nostril to reach the frontal lobe after transgressing the sella turcica. A cranial computed tomography scan shows the extension of brain damage and the trajectory of the rod with no evidence of an associated vascular injury. Surgical removal of the rifle rod was performed using a transnasal approach by a multidisciplinary with the postoperative course went uneventfully. Conclusion: Transbasal penetrating TBI through the nose is an extremely rare entity. This type of head injury carries its own peculiarities that deviate from the classic treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms are considered one of the most common intracranial aneurysms, contributing to approximately 40% of the subarachnoid hemorrhages related to aneurysmal rupture. Aneurysms of the anterior circulation are commonly present with visual defects varying in their nature according to the aneurysmal site. However, complete bilateral vision loss associated with AcomA aneurysms is a significantly rare finding. We are reporting a case of complete bilateral blindness in a patient with a ruptured AcomA aneurysm with a literature review. Methods: We conducted a PubMed Medline database search by the following combined formula of subjects' headings: (((Intracranial Aneurysm [MeSH Terms]) AND (AcomA Aneurysm [Title/Abstract])) AND [(Vision loss OR Blindness [Text Word])) AND (case reports [Filter]). Additional articles were searched through the reference lists of the included articles. Results: Our review yielded a total of five cases. All the present cases revealed unilateral blindness only, and their outcomes after treatment vary from recovery of vision to unchanged complete vision loss - none of the cases found in the literature presented with bilateral blindness. Conclusion: AcomA aneurysms can be associated with visual loss in some cases. However, usually, the defect is unilateral. Studies of the visual defects, including potential bilateral complete blindness associated with rupture inferiorly, directed AcomA aneurysm, should be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents medical student's perspective on ins and outs in deciding a future career in neurosurgery. It mentions that poor work-life balance and competitiveness were reported to be the most frequent concerns among medical students planning to pursue a career in neurosurgery. It discusses the early stages of medical school introduce medical students to neuroscience and the nervous system's complexity, mystery, and beauty.

Background: Nonmissile penetrating spine injury (NMPSI) represents a small percent of spinal cord injuries (SCIs), estimated at 0.8% in Western countries. Regarding the causes, an NMPSI injury caused by a screwdriver is rare. This study reports a case of a retained double-headed screwdriver in a 37-year-old man who sustained a stab injury to the back of the neck, leaving the patient with a C4 Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS). We discuss the intricacies of the surgical management of such cases with a literature review. Methods: PubMed database was searched by the following combined formula of medical subjects headings, (MESH) terms, and keywords: (((SCIs [MeSH Terms]) OR (nmpsi [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term]) OR (nonmissile penetrating spinal injury [Other Term])) AND (BSS [MeSH Terms])) OR (BSS [MeSH Terms]). Results: A total of 338 results were found; 258 were case reports. After excluding nonrelated cases, 16 cases were found of BSS induced by spinal cord injury by a retained object. The male-to-female ratio in these cases is 11:5, and ages ranged from 11 to 72. The causes of spinal cord injury included screwdrivers in three cases, knives in five cases, and glass in three cases. The extracted data were analyzed. Conclusion: Screwdriver stabs causing cervical SCIs are extremely rare. This is the first case from Iraq where the assault device is retained in situ at the time of presentation. Such cases should be managed immediately to carefully withdraw the object under direct vision and prevent further neurological deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy that is characterized by irregular cellular proliferation and deformed construction of the arterial wall that causes segmentation, constriction, or aneurysm in the intermediate-sized arteries. The incidence of FMD is 0.42-3.4%, and the unilateral occurrence is even rarer. Herein, we report a rare case of a localized extracranial carotid unilateral FMD associated with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) treated by extracranial-intracranial bypass for indirect revascularization. The specific localization of the disease rendered our case unique. Methods: We conducted a review of the PubMed Medline database search using the following combined formula: ((FMD [Title/Abstract]) AND ((isolated [Title/Abstract]) OR (localized [Title/Abstract]))) AND Internal carotid artery (ICA) (Title/Abstract). Additional resources were included by screening the reference list of the selected papers. Results: A total of six cases were found, and all accounted for localized FMD affecting the ICA. The age range was between 19 and 52, the male-to-female ratio was (2:4), and all of the cases consisted of unilateral carotid FMD, mainly on the left side with a left-to-right ratio of 5:1. The management and outcome of these cases varied according to the case and associated complications. Conclusion: Extracranial localized FMD of the ICA is a rare subtype of FMD that has little documentation in the literature. In our case, it was a localized extracranial carotid unilateral FMD associated with recurrent TIAs. The appropriate treatment was using the intracranial-extracranial bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]