Discordance of IDH mutational status between lesions in an adult patient with multifocal glioma

gliomaIDH1multifocalPTEN

Arterial Spin Labeling MR imaging for differentiation between high and low grade glioma – a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Arterial spin labeling is an MR imaging technique that measures cerebral blood flow (CBF) non-invasively. The aim of the study is to assess the diagnostic performance of Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MR imaging for differentiation between high-grade glioma and low-grade glioma.

Methods

Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline and Web of Science Core Collection were searched. Study selection until November 2017. This study was prospectively registered in Prospero (CRD42017080885). Two authors screened all titles and abstracts for possible inclusion. Data were extracted independently by two authors. Bivariate random effects meta-analysis was used to describe summary receiver operating characteristics. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed.

Results

In total 15 studies with 505 patients were included. The diagnostic performance of ASL CBF for glioma grading was 0.90 with summary sensitivity 0.89 (0.79–0.90) and specificity 0.80 (0.72–0.89). The diagnostic performance was similar between pulsed ASL (AUC 0.90) with a sensitivity 0.85 (0.71–0.91) and specificity 0.83 (0.69–0.92) and pseudocontinous ASL (AUC 0.88) with a sensitivity 0.86 (0.79–0.91) and specificity 0.80 (0.65–0.87). In astrocytomas, the diagnostic performance was 0.89 with sensitivity 0.86 (0.79 to 0.91) and specificity 0.79 (0.63 to 0.89). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings. TSA revealed that the meta-analysis was adequately powered.

Conclusion

Arterial spin labeling MR imaging had an excellent diagnostic accuracy for differentiation between high-grade and low-grade glioma. Given its low cost, non-invasiveness, and efficacy, ASL MR imaging should be considered for implementation in the routine work-up of patients with glioma.

Neurologic Disorders in 4,858 Survivors of Central Nervous System Tumors in Childhood – an Adult Life after Cancer in Scandinavia (ALiCCS) study

Abstract

Backgorund

A comprehensive overview of neurologic complications among survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in childhood is lacking. We aimed to investigate the risk for these disorders in a large, population-based study with outcome measures from nationwide hospital registries.

Methods

We identified 4,858 five-year survivors diagnosed with a CNS tumor in childhood in Denmark, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden in 1943–2007, and 166,658 matched population comparison subjects. In-patient discharge diagnoses of neurologic disorders were used to calculate relative risks (RRs) and absolute excess risks (AERs).

Results

A neurologic disorder was verified in 1,309 survivors, while 92.4 were expected, yielding an overall RR of 14.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.3–15.1) and an AER of 20 hospitalizations per 1,000 persons per year. The risks remained increased more than 20 years after diagnosis (RR: 6.3, 95% CI: 5.6–7.2; AER: 11, 9–12). The most frequent diagnoses were epilepsy (affecting 14.1% of all survivors) followed by hydrocephalus (9.5%) and paralytic syndromes (4.2%), with RRs of 28.7 (95% CI: 26.0–31.6), 243 (95% CI: 190–311), and 40.3 (95% CI: 33.1–49.2), respectively. Of these outcomes, 30–40% were diagnosed prior to or synchronously with the CNS tumor. The survivors had highly increased RRs for infectious diseases of the CNS, disorders of cranial nerves, and degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

Conclusions

Survivors of childhood CNS tumors are at markedly increased risk for neurologic disorders throughout their lives. Healthcare professionals must be aware of survivors who might benefit from preventive interventions and intensive follow-up.

Biology, taxonomy, and IPM strategies of Bactrocera tau Walker and complex species (Diptera; Tephritidae) in Asia: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Bactrocera flies are the serious pests of fruit, vegetables, and nuts over the world. Bactrocera tau Walker is an economically important pest of agricultural crops. In Asia, approximately 30–40% losses of agricultural products are caused by B. tau infestation every year. In Asia, the B. tau contains a complex of sibling species that called the tau complex. However, the basic studies of B. tau and complex species are very important for integrated management. A comprehensive review of the B. tau and complex species has not been provided elsewhere. So, considering the importance of B. tau and complex species, this study provides the published information on ecology, nomenclature, identification tools, geographical distribution, potential invasion, and IPM tactics of B. tau and complex species, which would be more informative for publication facilitating related to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies of B. tau and complex species. In IPM of B. tau and complex species, the phytochemical and biological controls have not been applied successfully in Asia; there is an urgent need to study and applications of these two mentioned control techniques against the B. tau and complex species in Asia.

TRP63/TP63 loss accelerates skin tumorigenesis through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer arising from the epidermis. Approximately 700,000 new cSCC cases are diagnosed every year in the United States [1]. It is commonly believed that the transcription factor TRP63 (mouse)/TP63 (human), plays an oncogenic role in cSCCs. Contradicting the notion that expression of TP63 is causally linked to cSCC development or progression is the observation that complete or focal loss of TP63 expression occurs in a subset of cSCCs [2].

Reply to: comment on “Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy for chronic recalcitrant interdigital candidiasis of toe-spaces – an uncontrolled pilot study”

About melanocyte activation in idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis by 5-fluorouracil tattooing

Folliculitis Decalvans: Effectiveness of Therapies and Prognostic Factors In A Multicenter Series of 60 Patients With Long-Term Follow-Up

Safety and efficacy of hydrogen peroxide topical solution, 40% (w/w) in patients with seborrheic keratoses: results from two identical, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies (A-101-SEBK-301/302)

Capsule Summary

Influence of age and marital status on stage at diagnosis and survival of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma: a SEER based cohort study

A cross-sectional study of clinical distinctions between neuropathic and inflammatory pruritus

REPLY to MS#JAAD-D-18-00380

“Soft corn versus Candidiasis!”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and phenotype of adult-onset atopic dermatitis

Previous studies found conflicting results about whether atopic dermatitis (AD) begins in adulthood.

Removal efficiency and enzymatic mechanism of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) by constructed wetlands

Abstract

Four vertical-flow constructed wetland systems were set up in the field in order to study the removal efficiency and possible enzymatic mechanism of the constructed wetlands in treating sewage containing different concentrations of dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Under DBP spiked concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L, good DBP removal rates of 62.08, 82.17, and 84.17% were achieved, respectively. Meanwhile, certain removal effects of general water quality parameters were observed in all four constructed wetlands: with high average removal rates of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 91.10~93.89 and 82.83~89.17%, respectively, with moderate removal efficiencies of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) of 44.59~49.67, 30.58~37.18, and 28.52~37.45%, respectively. Compared to the control, an increase of enzyme activities of urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and nitrate reductase was observed in the treatments with DBP addition. In the presence of 0.5 mg/L of DBP concentration, the urease, phosphatase, and dehydrogenase activities reached the highest levels, with an increase of 350.02, 36.57, and 417.88% compared with the control, respectively. It appeared that the low concentration of DBP might better stimulate the release of enzymes.

Massive parallel regression: a précis of genetic mechanisms for vision loss in diving beetles

Synopsis

Two tribes of subterranean dytiscid diving beetles independently colonised groundwater systems of the Western Australian arid zone, a habitat transition that was most likely driven by the contraction of surface water bodies following late Neogene aridification of the Australian continent. These 'stygofauna' are now trapped within discrete calcrete aquifers that have formed in palaeodrainage valleys, resulting in the world's most diverse radiations of subterranean dytiscid beetles. Approximately 100 species from three genera exhibit partial or fully regressed visual systems and are essentially blind. This unique study system, with multiple independent transitions to subterranean life enables regressive and adaptive evolutionary processes to be studied in parallel at an unheralded comparative scale. Here we provide an overview of the progression of dytiscid beetle research and undertake a literature survey of published research within the field of regressive evolution as it applies to eye loss. We detail our exploration of insect vision genes for signatures of adaptive and neutral evolutionary mechanisms related to eye regression, largely within photoreceptor and eye pigment genes. Our project makes use of transcriptome data from five representative dytiscid beetle species (two surface and three subterranean) in order to design a customized set of RNA baits for use in a hybrid-capture method to target a pool of vision genes sequenced using high-throughput Illumina platforms. This methodological design permits the assessment of modifications in the genomic sequence of beetle vision genes at a much broader scale than Sanger sequencing, enabling a higher number of both target species and genes to be simultaneously assessed relative to research time-investments. Based on our literature search criteria of the research field ('regressive evolution' + 'eyes'), 81 papers have been published since the late 1980's accruing an h-index of 27 and a mean citation rate of 24.57. Collective annual citations for this field of research have surged over the past five years, an indication that broader scientific community interest is gaining momentum. The majority of publications (75%) have focused on the chordate clade Actinopterygii. Historically, research on variant subterranean taxa have faced difficulties inferring the evolutionary mechanisms of eye regression (and vision loss) using molecular approaches because only a handful of target genes could be feasibly addressed within grant funding cycles. From a comparative phylogenetic perspective, next-generation sequencing approaches applied to stygobiontic dytiscid beetles hold the potential to greatly improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying regressive evolution generally.

Extensive uncharted biodiversity: the parasite dimension

Synopsis

Parasites are often hidden in their hosts and exhibit patchy spatial distributions. This makes them relatively difficult to detect and sample. Consequently we have poor knowledge of parasite diversities, distributions and extinction. We evaluate our general understanding of parasite diversity and highlight the enormous bias in research on parasites such as helminths and arthropods that infect vertebrate hosts. We then focus on Myxozoa as an exemplary case for demonstrating uncharted parasite diversity. Myxozoans are a poorly recognised but speciose clade of endoparasitic cnidarians with complex life cycles that have radiated to exploit freshwater, marine and terrestrial hosts by adopting strategies convergent to those of parasitic protists. Myxozoans are estimated to represent some 20% of described cnidarian species – greatly outnumbering the combined species richness of scyphozoans, cubozoans, and staurozoans. We summarise limited understanding of myxozoan diversification and geographical distributions, and highlight gaps in knowledge and approaches for measuring myxozoan diversity. We close by reviewing methods and problems in estimating parasite extinction and concerns about extinction risks in view of the fundamental roles parasites play in ecosystem dynamics and in driving host evolutionary trajectories.

Inertial Sensing and Encoding of Self-Motion: Structural and Functional Similarities Across Metazoan Taxa

A preoperative cotininury test for abdominoplasty reduces peri-operative complications

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique
Author(s): F. Delaunay, D. Coquerel-Beghin, G. Magalon, S.R. Cohen, D. Casanova, J. Niddam, P.-Y. Milliez, C. Peillon, V. Delpierre, I. Auquit-Auckbur
BackgroundSmoking induces complications in plastic surgery, in particular wound healing delays. Despite a 4-weeks' abstinence asking before and after surgery, some patients denied or hid their consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cotininury detection test in terms of improvement in outcomes after an abdominoplasty.Material and methodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent an abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition and lipoaspiration. Current smokers were asked to stop smoking 4 weeks before and after surgery. After 2013, we performed a preoperative cotininury test for patients having abdominoplasty, with a cancellation of surgery in case of positive result. We analyzed the test's effectiveness on delayed healing and on other complications.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty-five patients were included; 80 were tested and 21,3% had a positive test. There was significantly less delayed healing in the "screening" group than in the "no screening": 20,3% versus 41,5% (P=0,002). Alike, complications were significantly less frequent in the "screening" group than in the "no screening": 18,1% versus 42,3% (P<0,001).ConclusionThe routine use of the cotininury test in preoperative abdominoplasties significantly reduces risk of delayed healing and other serious complications. It is an objective test, which is simple, quick and non-invasive. Smoking cessation must be at least 4 weeks before and after the surgery. Following medical advice to cease smoking by the surgeon and anesthetist, referral to an appropriate tobacco-addiction specialist clinic may be helpful for the patient who has difficulty stopping smoking.

Editorial Comment: Advances in MRI and PET of the prostate: concurrence or complementarity?

Abstract

This Editorial Comment refers to the articles "Diagnostic evaluation of magnetization transfer and diffusion kurtosis imaging for prostate cancer detection in a re-biopsy population" by Barrett T et al., Eur Radiol. 2017 Dec 8 and "18F-Fluciclovine PET/MRI for preoperative lymph node staging in high-risk prostate cancer patients" by Selnæs KM et al., Eur Radiol. 2018 Jan 2.

Comparison of three cut-offs to diagnose clinically significant portal hypertension by liver stiffness in chronic viral liver diseases: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Transient elastography-based liver stiffness value (TE-LSV) has been investigated for assessing clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). The aetiology of CSPH is an important factor determining TE-LSV. There is insufficient evidence for selecting cut-off values.

Aims

This study performed a meta-analysis to compare the three most widely used cut-off values (around 13.6 kPa, 18 kPa and 22kPa) of TE-LSV for the diagnosis of CSPH in patients with chronic viral liver disease.

Methods

The PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Diagnostic data for cut-off values around 13.6 kPa, 18 kPa and 22 kPa in each included study were extracted. The bivariate model was performed to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-).

Results

Eleven studies assessing 910 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivities of cut-off values around 13.6 kPa, 18 kPa and 22 kPa were 0.96 (95% CI 0.93–0.97), 0.85 (0.81–0.89) and 0.74 (0.66–0.80), respectively; pooled specificities were 0.60 (0.47–0.75), 0.80 (0.71-0.87) and 0.94 (0.86–0.97), respectively. Pooled LR+ values were 2.4 (1.6–3.7), 4.4 (2.9–6.8) and 11.5 (5.5–23.5) for cut-off values around 13.6 kPa, 18 kPa and 22 kPa, respectively, for pooled LR- values of 0.07 (0.04–0.13), 0.17 (0.12–0.25) and 0.28 (0.22–0.36), respectively.

Conclusion

Cut-off values around 13.6 kPa (high sensitivity) and 22 kPa (high specificity) could be used as screening and confirmation tools, respectively, in the diagnosis of CSPH. Overall, the cut-off value around 22 kPa showed the best performance.

Key Points

• Transient elastography-based liver stiffness could be used to diagnose portal hypertension.

• Comparison of certain cut-off values would provide more information for clinical decision-making.

• Cut-off around 13.6 kPa was able to exclude clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) effectively.

• Cut-off around 22 kPa was able to confirm CSPH effectively.

Studying with the Internet: Giorgio Agamben, Education, and New Digital Technologies

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of the educational use of the Internet and of digital technologies that is neither pessimistic nor optimistic, that is neither critical nor post-critical. Turning to Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben's comments on studying and its relationship to the technology of the blank writing tablet, the authors argue that digital devises are a radical transformation in our relationship to the technologies of reading and writing. Traditionally, the scholar was able to experience his or her potentiality to communicate through writing via the blankness of the writing tablet. Yet, according to Agamben, such blankness has become inaccessible in the digital age, where the screen is always full of content. Here the authors argue that Agamben is correct in his diagnosis, yet his own theory of communicability (as the experience of our ability to and not to communicate this or that specific message) offers up a way to redeem the educational use of digital devices. It is precisely the overflowing saturation of communications on the Internet which produces a new kind of blankness. It is this blankness which should thus become the focus of a studious form of media literacy—one that is not critical or post-critical so much as pre-critical (in that it contemplates the very potentiality for communication as such).

Task-based quantification of image quality using a model observer in abdominal CT: a multicentre study

Abstract

Objective

We investigated the variability in diagnostic information inherent in computed tomography (CT) images acquired at 68 different CT units, with the selected acquisition protocols aiming to answer the same clinical question.

Methods

An anthropomorphic abdominal phantom with two optional rings was scanned on 68 CT systems from 62 centres using the local clinical acquisition parameters of the portal venous phase for the detection of focal liver lesions. Low-contrast detectability (LCD) was assessed objectively with channelised Hotelling observer (CHO) using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) paradigm. For each lesion size, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated and considered as a figure of merit. The volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI_vol) was used to indicate radiation dose exposure.

Results

The median CTDI_vol used was 5.8 mGy, 10.5 mGy and 16.3 mGy for the small, medium and large phantoms, respectively. The median AUC obtained from clinical CT protocols was 0.96, 0.90 and 0.83 for the small, medium and large phantoms, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study used a model observer to highlight the difference in image quality levels when dealing with the same clinical question. This difference was important and increased with growing phantom size, which generated large variations in patient exposure. In the end, a standardisation initiative may be launched to ensure comparable diagnostic information for well-defined clinical questions. The image quality requirements, related to the clinical question to be answered, should be the starting point of patient dose optimisation.

Key Points

• Model observers enable to assess image quality objectively based on clinical tasks.

• Objective image quality assessment should always include several patient sizes.

• Clinical diagnostic image quality should be the starting point for patient dose optimisation.

• Dose optimisation by applying DRLs only is insufficient for ensuring clinical requirements.

Correction to: Applicability and accuracy of pretest probability calculations implemented in the NICE clinical guideline for decision making about imaging in patients with chest pain of recent onset

The original version of this article, published on 19 March 2018, unfortunately contained a mistake. The following correction has therefore been made in the original: The names of the authors Philipp A. Kaufmann, Ronny Ralf Buechel and Bernhard A. Herzog were presented incorrectly.

Scale-up of Industrial Microbial Processes

Abstract

Scaling up industrial microbial processes for commercial production is a high-stakes endeavor, requiring time and investment often exceeding that for laboratory microbe and process development. Omissions, oversights, and errors can be costly, even fatal to the program. Approached properly, scale-up can be executed successfully. Three guiding principles are provided as a basis: begin with the end in mind; be diligent in the details; prepare for the unexpected. A detailed roadmap builds on these principles. There is a special emphasis on the fermentation step, which is usually the costliest and also impacts downstream processing. Examples of common scale-up mistakes and the recommended approaches are given. It is advised that engineering resources skilled in integrated process development and scale-up be engaged from the very beginning of microbe and process development to guide ongoing R&D, thus ensuring a smooth and profitable path to the large-scale commercial end.

Expert Trespassing Testimony and the Ethics of Science Communication

Abstract

Scientific expert testimony is crucial to public deliberation, but it is associated with many pitfalls. This article identifies one—namely, expert trespassing testimony—which may be characterized, crudely, as the phenomenon of experts testifying outside their domain of expertise. My agenda is to provide a more precise characterization of this phenomenon and consider its ramifications for the role of science in society. I argue that expert trespassing testimony is both epistemically problematic and morally problematic. Specifically, I will argue that scientific experts are subject to a particular obligation. Roughly, this is the obligation to qualify their assertions when speaking outside their domain of scientific expertise in certain contexts. Thus, I argue that scientists who possess expert knowledge are confronted with hard questions about when and how to testify and, therefore, that being a scientific expert comes with great responsibility. Consequently, I provide a concrete "expert guideline" according to which scientific experts, in certain contexts, face an obligation to qualify their assertions when speaking outside their domain of expertise. Furthermore, I consider a number of the conditions in which the guideline is waived or overridden. On this basis, I consider the broader aspects of the roles of scientific experts in a society with a high division of cognitive labor that calls for trust in scientific expert testimony.

Respuesta de la dermatitis autoinmune por progesterona al acetato de ulipristal

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): S. Oscoz-Jaime, M. Larrea-García, M.J. Mitxelena-Eceiza, N. Abián-Franco

Granuloma anular pseudolinfomatoso: una variante poco conocida

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): M. Llamas-Velasco, A. Urquina-Renke, A. Pérez-Plaza, J. Fraga

Artritis paradójica por ixekizumab en un paciente con psoriasis en placas

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): D. Vidal, S. Ros, D. Reina

Enfermedad de Behçet

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): A. Imbernón-Moya, P. Collado-Ramos, R. Díaz-Delgado

Biblioteca de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): L. Conde Salazar

Correction to: Ultrasound thermal monitoring with an external ultrasound source for customized bipolar RF ablation shapes

The original article has been published without article note.

Activity of acetylcholinesterase and acid and alkaline phosphatases in different insecticide-treated Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera is a major devastating insect pest on a wide range of vegetables and cash crops. Insecticides are presently indispensable for its control in nearly all crops. H. armigera has acquired resistance against almost all insecticides because of the activity of detoxification enzymes used for the defensive mechanism. The current research was carried out to evaluate the activity of detoxification enzymes, i.e., acetylcholinesterase and alkaline and acid phosphatases in chlorpyrifos-, bifenthrin-, lufenuron-, lambda cyhalothrin-, and emamectin benzoate-treated larvae of H. armigera. The maximum AChE activity was recorded in emamectin benzoate-treated larval samples followed by chlorpyrifos, lufenuron, lambda cyhalothrin and bifenthrin, respectively, while the highest alkaline phosphatases' activity was recorded in emamectin and the lowest in bifenthrin-treated H. armigera. As far as acid phosphatases' activity is concerned, the highest activity was noted in lufenuron samples while the lowest in lambda cyhalothrin samples, respectively. Comparatively, activities of alkaline and acid phosphatases were higher than AChE. The elevated activities of detoxification enzymes can possibly lead to increase in resistance development against synthetic chemical insecticides.