Management of venous thromboembolism in high-grade glioma: Does low molecular weight heparin increase intracranial bleeding risk?

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in up to 30% of patients with high-grade glioma (HGG). Concern for increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) with therapeutic anticoagulation (AC) complicates VTE treatment. Some retrospective studies have reported an increased risk of ICH associated with therapeutic AC; however, effective alternatives to AC are lacking. The aim of our study is to assess the risk of ICH in HGG patients with VTE on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).MethodsWe performed a retrospective matched cohort study of HGG patients from January 2005 to August 2016. Blinded review of neuroimaging for ICH was performed. For analysis of the primary endpoint, estimates of cumulative incidence (CI) of ICH were calculated using competing risk analysis with death as competing risk; significance testing was performed using the Gray’s test. Median survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsTwo hundred twenty patients were included, 88 (40%) with VTE treated with LMWH, 22 (10%) with VTE, not on AC, and 110 (50%) without VTE. A total of 43 measurable ICH was recorded: 19 (26%) in LMWH, 3 (14%) in VTE not on AC, and 21 (19%) in non-VTE cohort. No significant difference was observed in the 1-year CI of ICH in the LMWH cohort and non-AC with VTE group (17% vs 9%; Gray’s test, P = .36). Among patients without VTE, the 1-year CI of ICH was 13%. Median survival was similar among all 3 cohorts.ConclusionsOur data suggest that therapeutic LMWH is not associated with substantially increased risk of ICH in HGG patients.     

A multicenter United States-Canadian trial to assess lamivudine monotherapy before and after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B

Seventy-seven liver transplant candidates were enrolled in a multicenter study in which patients were treated with lamivudine (100 mg daily) without the adjunctive use of hepatitis B immune globulin. Treatment was begun while patients awaited liver transplantation and continued after transplantation. All were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive, and 61% had detectable hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA when treatment was begun. Forty-seven underwent liver transplantation and 30 did not. Median study participation was 38 months (range, 2.7-48.5) in the transplanted patients and 26 months (range, 0.1-37) in the nontransplanted group. Twenty-five of 42 (60%) transplanted patients with 12 or more weeks of posttransplantation follow-up were HBsAg negative at the last study visit. At treatment week 156, 13 of 22 (59%) remained HBsAg negative, and all 9 reinfected patients were HBV-DNA positive before treatment. In the nontransplanted patients, HBeAg was initially detectable in 20 of 27 (74%) but this decreased to 3 of 17 (18%) after 104 weeks of treatment, and significant improvement in biochemical parameters was observed. HBV-DNA polymerase mutants were detected in 15 (21%) and 6 (20%) of the transplanted and nontransplanted patients, respectively. When compared with historical cohorts, lamivudine-treated patients appeared to have improved survival, and transplanted patients had a decrease in the rate of recurrent HBV infection. Lamivudine therapy was partially effective in preventing recurrent HBV infection when given before and after transplantation. Thus, future trials using a combination of HBIg and lamivudine are needed to assess the optimal prophylactic therapy.     

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown cause affecting young and middle-aged adults. Patients commonly present with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, pulmonary infiltrates, and ocular and skin lesions. The heart, liver,spleen, salivary glands, muscles,bones, kidneys, and central nervous system also may be involved. Diagnosis is based on clinicoradiologic findings plus histologic evidence of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas, and exclusion of other granulomatous diseases. Prognosis correlates with mode of onset, host characteristics, initial clinical course, and extent of disease. The optimal management of sarcoidosis has not been well defined. Although corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment, there is little evidence for the optimal initiation, dosage, or duration of therapy. Topical steroids maybe considered for treatment of anterior uveitis and skin lesions. Systemic steroids are indicated for treatment of cardiac, nervous system, severe ocular, and symptomatic or progressive pulmonary involvement. There is little evidence for the efficacy of inhaled steroids. Cytotoxic agents and immunomodulators usually are reserved for treatment of complex or refractory disease. Of these agents, methotrexate is used more frequently because of its safety profile and possible steroid-sparing effects. Antimalarial agents are used frequently for skin lesions, and they have limited success in the treatment of pulmonary disease. Lung and cardiac transplantation is reserved for end-stage disease. Monitoring for symptoms of drug toxicity is essential, and prevention of osteoporosis must be addressed in patients taking long-term oral corticosteroids. It is not known if current therapy alters disease progression.     

胃肠胰胰岛淀粉样多肽的定位和表达

胰岛淀粉样多肽(islet armyloid polypeptide,IAPP)是1986年瑞典学者Westermarket al[1,2 ]从胰岛素瘤患者的瘤组织,糖尿病猫及Ⅱ型糖尿病患者胰岛淀粉样沉积物中分离出来的一种多肽,几乎在同时,英国生物化学家Cooper et al[3,4]也从Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的胰岛淀粉样沉积物中分离出该肽.IAPP又称为amylin.对IAPP的分子结构、基因表达和生理作用等已有许多报道[5].近年来,在IAPP定位、表达及胃肠胰IAPP免疫反应(immunoreactive,IR)细胞定位、发生、发育方面的研究报道,为探讨IAPP的生理作用及疾病状态下的改变,提供了形态学依据,现综述如下.     

Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation mimicking an ovarian tumour

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a spontaneous singletonpregnancy is exceedingly rare. We report a case of ovarian hyperstimulationpresenting as bilateral ovarian masses in association with spontaneouspregnancy, occurring in a woman with disturbed liver function.A possible mechanism is discussed.     

I will always be with you: Traditional and complementary therapists’ perspectives on patient–therapist–doctor communication regarding treatment of Arab patients with cancer in Israel

Objective

In 2008, an Integrative Oncology Program was implemented at the Clalit Oncology Service in Haifa, Israel, to promote patients’ well-being during chemotherapy and advanced stages of disease. We hypothesized that studying the perceptions of Arab complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapists would facilitate development of a cross-culturally integrative oncology approach.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were held with 27 Arab therapists who use medicinal herbs, the Quran and various CAM modalities, with the aim of characterizing their treatment practices and learning about their perspectives regarding conventional cancer care.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed that therapists act as go-betweens, mediating between patients and conventional physicians. Therapists translate diagnoses into Arabic and elucidate key concepts. They tend to perceive their role as gatekeepers accompanying patients through the conventional health system, referring them for further examinations, and providing CAM-based supportive care consultation.

Conclusions

CAM therapists have an essential role in supportive care of Arab patients with cancer. Triangular patient–therapist–oncologist communication may have an impact on patients’ experience and treatment quality.

Practice implications

Recognition of CAM therapists as mediators between patients’ health beliefs and conventional perceptions of care may improve doctor–patient dialogue and facilitate supportive care provision in a cross-cultural context.