The role of persistent neural activity in working memory storage is well documented, particularly in tasks where memorized items are of equal importance. However, the encoding mechanism for unattended items, often considered as ‘activity silent’, remains poorly understood. Here we recorded the activity of image-selective neurons in the medial temporal lobe while subjects (n = 12) shifted attention between concurrently stored memory items. Our results demonstrate that both attended and unattended memory items are encoded through persistent activity. Additionally, we observed a dynamic transformation in the neuronal subspace following cue presentation, reflecting a shift in how information was maintained. While information about the unattended item was decodable at the single-trial level from preselected image-selective cells, it was not decodable from the entire population of medial temporal lobe cells. These findings support models of persistent activity and challenge the notion that unattended items are stored via ‘activity-silent’ mechanisms.

The purpose of this case report is to describe the case of a patient with ankylosing spinal hyperostosis (ASH) and lumbar spine fracture complicated by ureteral injury mimicking spondylodiscitis with osteomyelitis features and retroperitoneal abscess formation followed by the cervical spine fracture. A consecutive analysis and summary of the medical history, radiological documentation, operative procedure, complications, and outcomes were performed. A 59-year-old man presented with abdominal pain three weeks after sustaining a low-energy fall. The performed CT scans demonstrated a three-column fracture at the L3/L4 level and features of ASH. Additionally, MRI scans demonstrated hyperintense fluid collection within L3/L4 intervertebral space communicating with both psoas major muscles, mimicking spondylodiscitis with osteomyelitis features and retroperitoneal abscess formation. An in situ instrumented lumbar fusion at the L2-L3-L5-S1 levels with implantation vertebral body replacement implant at the L3/L4 level was performed. Postoperative CT imaging revealed evidence of post-traumatic right ureteral injury. Following urological treatment covering nephrectomy and ureter ligation, the patient was maintained at a 2-year follow-up. After this period, the patient presented again with tetraparesis after sustaining a low-energy fall. The performed CT scans demonstrated a three-column fracture at the C5/C6 level. The combined anterior and posterior osteosynthesis at the C4-C5-C6-C7 levels was performed. This case report presents the rare clinical constellation regarding the lumbar spine fracture complicated by ureteral injury followed by a cervical spine fracture regarding the same patient. The potential injury of retroperitoneal structures, including the ureter after hyperextensive lumbar spine fracture, should be considered in ASH patients. In this case, one should be aware of the atypical clinical presentation regarding the observed spondylodiscitis- and osteomyelitis-like features.

Background/Objectives: Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a critical mediator of pyroptosis—an inflammatory form of programmed cell death increasingly implicated in tumor biology. Our objective was to evaluate the utility of GSDMD as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and to investigate its association with tumor burden and hematological parameters. Methods: We analyzed GSDMD expression levels in patients with adult-type diffuse gliomas compared to healthy controls and assessed correlations with tumor size, histological grade, hematological markers, and survival outcomes. Data was complemented by transcriptomic analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC curve analysis. Results: GSDMD expression was significantly elevated in adult-type diffuse glioma patients and increased with tumor grade, suggesting an association with disease severity. A positive correlation was observed between GSDMD level and tumor size (R = 0.332; p = 0.01). ROC analysis showed moderate classification ability (AUC = 0.657) with high specificity (96%), supporting its diagnostic potential. Survival analysis showed that higher GSDMD expression was associated with reduced disease-specific survival. GSDMD also correlated positively with the erythrocyte parameter mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH, R = 0.34, p = 0.016) and negatively with the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP, R = −0.32; p = 0.042). TCGA data showed no significant sex-related differences in GSDMD expression. Baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, and coagulation parameters were matched between patients and controls. Conclusions: GSDMD is significantly associated with astrocytoma severity, tumor size, and inflammatory status, with elevated expression indicating a worse prognosis. Its correlation with tumor grade, survival and high specificity in distinguishing patients from healthy individuals, underlines its promise as a clinically relevant, non-sex-specific biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring.

Background: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures in the thoracic–lumbar spine are common in older adults and can lead to pain, kyphotic posture, impaired postural control, and altered gait. These changes increase the risk of falls and reduce functional mobility, highlighting the need for effective assessment and intervention strategies. Objectives: To analyze stability and gait in patients who sustained a thoracic–lumbar spinal fracture and underwent minimally invasive surgery. Methods: Seventeen patients participated in this study (women = 11, age 68.36 ± 6.15 years, body weight 68.18 ± 12.8 kg, height 161.45 ± 5.26 cm; men = 6, age 62.67 ± 4.41 years, body weight 78.5 ± 20.36 kg, height 176.67 ± 12.64 cm). All participants had undergone minimally invasive spinal surgery using percutaneous screws reinforced with bone cement 12 months prior. Each patient underwent two assessments: postural stability measurement and biomechanical gait analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software (StatSoft, PL), with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: In the stability test, seven participants could not complete the measurement due to falls (FRT = 6.45 ± 2.43), six performed within the normal range (FRT = 2.41 ± 0.9), and four were below the normal range for their age group (FRT = 2.22 ± 1.7). Patients exhibited slower walking speed, shorter stride length, and reduced hip extension during the stance phase (approximately 5° less) due to a forward-leaning posture and cautious gait. Foot placement was flat rather than heel-first, likely as a compensatory strategy to enhance safety. Conclusions: Patients after osteoporotic thoracic–lumbar vertebral fractures treated with minimally invasive surgery demonstrate shorter, wider, and slower steps, along with reduced postural stability, indicating a persistent risk of forward falls.