Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) which can lead to severe disability. Several diseases can mimic the clinical manifestations of MS. This can often lead to a prolonged period that involves numerous tests and investigations before a definitive diagnosis is reached. As well as the possibility of misdiagnosis. Molecular biomarkers can play a unique role in this regard. Molecular biomarkers offer a unique view into the CNS disorders. They help us understand the pathophysiology of disease as well as guiding our diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic approaches in CNS disorders. This review highlights the most prominent molecular biomarkers found in the literature with respect to MS and its related disorders. Based on numerous recent clinical and experimental studies, we demonstrate that several molecular biomarkers could very well aid us in differentiating MS from its related disorders. The implications of this work will hopefully serve clinicians and researchers alike, who regularly deal with MS and its related disorders.

Aim. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common nonskin malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. The most common site of metastasis in PCa is the axial skeleton which may lead to back pain or pathological fractures. Hematogenous spread to the brain and involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) are a rare occurrence. However, failed androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may facilitate such a spread resulting in an advanced metastatic stage of PCa, which carries a poor prognosis. Methods. In this systematic review, we searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science online databases based on the PRISMA guideline and used all the medical subject headings (MeSH) in terms of the following search line: (Brain Neoplasms OR Central Nervous System Neoplasms) and (Prostatic Neoplasms OR Prostate). Related studies were identified and reviewed. Results. A total of 59 eligible studies (902 patients) were included in this systematic review. In order to gain a deeper understanding, we extracted and presented the data from included articles based on clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, and prognostic status of PCa patients having BMs. Conclusion. We have demonstrated the current knowledge regarding the mechanism, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, and prognosis of BMs in PCa. These data shed more light on the way to help clinicians and physicians to understand, diagnose, and manage BMs in PCa patients better.

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global population, and one of the major causes of mortality in infected patients is cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we systematically searched Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases for all articles published by April 2, 2020. Observational studies (cohort and cross-sectional designs) were included in this meta-analysis if they reported at least one of the related cardiovascular symptoms or laboratory findings in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we did not use any language, age, diagnostic COVID-19 criteria, and hospitalization criteria restrictions. The following keywords alone or in combination with OR and AND operators were used for searching the literature: "Wuhan coronavirus", "COVID-19", "coronavirus disease 2019", "SARS-CoV-2", "2019 novel coronavirus" "cardiovascular disease", "CVD", "hypertension", "systolic pressure", "dyspnea", "hemoptysis", and "arrhythmia". Study characteristics, exposure history, laboratory findings, clinical manifestations, and comorbidities were extracted from the retrieved articles. Sixteen studies were selected which involved 4754 patients, including 2103 female and 2639 male patients. Among clinical cardiac manifestations, chest pain and arrhythmia were found to have the highest incidence proportion. In addition, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and D-dimer levels were the most common cardiovascular laboratory findings. Finally, hypertension, chronic heart failure, and coronary heart disease were the most frequently reported comorbidities. The findings suggest that COVID-19 can cause various cardiovascular symptoms and laboratory findings. It is also worth noting that cardiovascular comorbidities like hypertension have a notable prevalence among COVID-19 patients.

Pneumonia is one of the most common complications in intensive care units and is the most common nosocomial infection in this setting. Patients with neurocritical conditions who are admitted to ICUs are no exception, and in fact, are more prone to infections such as pneumonia because of factors such as swallow dysfunction, need for mechanical ventilation, longer length of stay in hospitals, etc. Common central nervous system pathologies such as ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, neuromuscular disorders, status epilepticus, and demyelinating diseases can cause long in-hospital admissions and increase the risk of pneumonia each with a mechanism of its own. Brain injury-induced immunosuppression syndrome is usually considered the common mechanism through which patients with critical central nervous system conditions become susceptible to different kinds of infection including pneumonia. Evaluating the patients and assessment of the risk factors can lead our attention toward better infection control in this population and therefore decrease the risk of infections in central nervous system injuries.

Background: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm represents a rare type of hematologic malignancy that often manifests itself through various skin lesions. It commonly affects the elderly male population. Lymph nodes, peripheral blood, and bone marrow involvement are the typical findings that justify its aggressive nature and dismal prognosis. On histopathological assessment, malignant cells share some similarities with blastic cells from the myeloid lineage that make immunohistochemistry staining mandatory for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm diagnosis. Case presentation: A 35-year-old Asian man presented with cervical lymphadenopathy followed by an erythematous lesion on his left upper back. At first, the lesion was misdiagnosed as an infectious disease and made the patient receive two ineffective courses of azithromycin and clarithromycin. Six months later, besides persistent skin manifestations, he felt a cervical mass, which was misdiagnosed as follicular center cell lymphoma. Tumor recurrence following the chemoradiation questioned the diagnosis, and further pathologic assessments confirmed blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. The second recurrence occurred 3 months after chemotherapy. Eventually, he received a bone marrow transplant after complete remission. However, the patient expired 3 months after transplant owing to the third recurrence and gastrointestinal graft versus host disease complications. Conclusions: Early clinical suspicion and true pathologic diagnosis play a crucial role in patients’ prognosis. Moreover, allogenic bone marrow transplant should be performed with more caution in aggressive forms of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm because of transplant side effects and high risk of cancer recurrence.

Objectives: The multifaceted impact of Traumatic brain injury (TBI) encompasses complex healthcare costs and diverse health complications, including the emergence of Post-Traumatic Seizures (PTS). In this study, our goal was to discern and elucidate the incidence and risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of PTS. We hypothesize that the development of PTS following TBI varies based on the type and severity of TBI. Methods: Our study leveraged the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to review primary TBI cases spanning 2016–2020 in the United States. Admissions featuring the concurrent development of seizures during the admission were queried. The demographic variables, concomitant diagnoses, TBI subtypes, hospital charges, hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality were analyzed. Results: The aggregate profile of TBI patients delineated a mean age of 61.75 (±23.8) years, a male preponderance (60%), and a predominantly White demographic (71%). Intriguingly, patients who encountered PTS showcased extended LOS (7.5 ± 9.99 vs. 6.87 ± 10.98 days, p < 0.001). Paradoxically, PTS exhibited a reduced overall in-hospital mortality (6% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001). Notably, among various TBI subtypes, traumatic subdural hematoma (SDH) emerged as a predictive factor for heightened seizure development (OR 1.38 [1.32–1.43], p < 0.001). Conclusions: This rigorous investigation employing an extensive national database unveils a 4.95% incidence of PTS, with SDH accentuating odds of seizure risk by OR: 1.38 ([1.32–1.43], p < 0.001). The paradoxical correlation between lower mortality and PTS is expected to be multifactorial and necessitates further exploration. Early seizure prophylaxis, prompt monitoring, and equitable healthcare provision remain pivotal avenues for curbing seizure incidence and comprehending intricate mortality trends.