Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation versus autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: a retrospective case-matched study from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

A retrospective case-matched analysis was performed comparing 189 myeloma patients treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) with an equal number of patients who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Matching was performed with respect to gender and number of treatment lines before transplantation. The groups were comparable with the exception of median age (43 years for allo-BMT v 49 years for ASCT, P = .0001) and median posttransplant follow-up (46 months for allo-BMT v 30 months for ASCT, P = .0003). The overall survival was significantly better for ASCT than for allo-BMT, with a median survival of 34 months and 18 months, respectively (P = .001). However, this survival advantage was only observed in men, but not in women. The statistically significant survival advantage for ASCT was seen in most subgroups, ie, chemotherapy-responsive patients, patients who had received two or more treatment lines before transplantation, patients in partial remission, patients with an IgG- subtype, patients older than 46 years of age, patients with stage II disease, and patients with a low or high serum-beta-2-microglobulin at diagnosis. The main reason for the poorer survival in allo-BMT patients was higher transplant-related mortality (41% v 13% for ASCT, P = .0001), which was not compensated for by a lower rate of relapse and progression. However, in patients alive at 1 year posttransplant, there was a trend for better long-term survival (P = .09) and significantly better progression-free survival (P = .02) for allo-BMT as compared with ASCT. We conclude that the median survival is superior for ASCT. However, allo-BMT has a lower relapse rate, which results in a similar long-term outcome for both approaches, but a longer follow-up is needed to assess the final outcome.     

Establishing metaphorical reasoning in children with autism

Researchers have shown that children with autism have difficulty with non-literal language, such as irony, sarcasm, deception, humor, and metaphors. To date, few studies have attempted to remediate these deficits, and no studies of which we are aware have attempted to teach children with autism to understand metaphors. Metaphorical reasoning consists of complex verbal behavior, involving relations of coordination, hierarchy, and distinction, at a minimum. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate multiple exemplar training for teaching children with autism to attend to relevant features of the context in which a metaphor is used and to engage in the required relational responding in order to respond correctly to metaphorical questions. Participants included three children, ages 5-7. Results suggest that multiple exemplar training is effective for teaching children with autism to understand metaphors. Furthermore, generalization to untrained metaphors was found for all participants.     

Fractionated proton beam irradiation of pituitary adenomas

PURPOSE： Various radiation techniques and modalities have been used to treat pituitary adenomas. This report details our experience with proton treatment of these tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS： Forty-seven patients with pituitary adenomas treated with pro- tons, who had at least 6 months of follow-up, were included in this analysis. Forty-two patients underwent a prior surgical resection; 5 were treated with primary radiation.     

Anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of Carpolobia lutea

Context: There is an unmet need to discover new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. This study determined the anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, DPPH free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae).

Objective: The objective of this study is to quantify C. lutea anti-AChE, DPPH free radical scavenging, and antioxidant activities and cell cytotoxicity.

Materials and methods: Plant stem, leaves and roots were subjected to sequential solvent extractions, and screened for anti-AChE activity across a concentration range of 0.02–200?μg/mL. Plant DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined, and cytotoxicity evaluated using human hepatocytes.

Results: Carpolobia lutea exhibited concentration-dependent anti-AChE activity. The most potent inhibitory activity for the stem was the crude ethanol extract and hexane stem fraction oil (IC₅₀?=?140?μg/mL); for the leaves, the chloroform leaf fraction (IC₅₀?=?60?μg/mL); and for roots, the methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous root fractions (IC₅₀?=?0.3–3?μg/mL). Dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity and reducing power were observed with increasing stem, leaf or root concentration. Total phenolic contents were the highest in the stem: ～632?mg gallic acid equivalents/g for a hexane stem fraction oil. Total flavonoid content was the highest in the leaves: ～297?mg quercetin equivalents/g for a chloroform leaf fraction. At 1?μg/mL, only the crude ethanol extract oil was significantly cytotoxic to hepatocytes.

Discussion and conclusions: Carpolobia lutea possesses anti-AChE activity and beneficial antioxidant capacity indicative of its potential development as a treatment of Alzheimer’s and other diseases characterized by a cholinergic deficit.     

Teaching children with autism to detect and respond to sarcasm

Previous research has demonstrated that children with autism often have difficulty using and understanding non-literal language (e.g., irony, sarcasm, deception, humor, and metaphors). Irony and sarcasm may be especially difficult for children with autism because the meaning of an utterance is the opposite of what is stated. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a training package, including rules and in vivo multiple exemplar training, to teach three children with autism to detect and respond appropriately to sarcastic statements. The training package was effective and generalization was obtained across novel exemplars, settings, and people.