Metastatic melanoma with balloon/histiocytoid cytomorphology after treatment with immunotherapy: A histologic mimic and diagnostic pitfall

Epithelioid cells with foamy cytoplasm (histiocytoid features) are typical histopathologic findings among benign and malignant histiocytic neoplasms such as xanthoma and atypical fibroxanthoma. However, these changes are unusual in melanoma, which is typically composed of nested and variably pigmented atypical epithelioid cells. Here, we report a patient with metastatic melanoma in lymph nodes presenting with prominent balloon cell/histiocytoid features expressing melanocytic markers, after treatment with nivolumab. This report suggests that the spectrum of neoplasms with histiocytoid features should be expanded to include melanoma, a pattern that, to the best of our knowledge, is uncommon, especially in the setting of post‐neoadjuvant therapy.     

Impact of autism in adolescents on parental quality of life

Purpose

To study the impact of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) on parental quality of life (QoL) at adolescence using the parental–developmental disorders-quality of life scale (Par–DD-QoL).

Methods

One hundred and fifty-two mothers of adolescents with ASD completed Par–DD-QoL. This scale assesses the following dimensions: emotional, daily disturbance and global QoL. This cross-sectional study uses a subset of data collected at the final time of a follow-up study (EpiTED cohort).

Results

A polytomic regression identified an increase in aberrant behavior scores as the major independent risk factor for parental QoL. The identified protective factors were the increase in daily living, communication and object cognition scores and a higher number of siblings.

Conclusions

Those results suggest that there is a negative effect of externalizing behaviors and a protective effect of adaptive skills, communication and object cognition on parental QoL. Study limitations and implications are discussed.     

Comparative study of perioperative infusion of diltiazem and nicorandil on myocardial protection during OPCAB surgery

We compared the effects of continuous intravenous infusions of nicorandil and diltiazem on left ventricular function, haemodynamics and as anti-ischaemic and anti-arrhythmic agents in 50 patients undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass surgery using arterial conduits. The patients were randomized into two equal groups to receive diltiazem or nicorandil. Both the drugs were given as a continuous infusion in the dose of 1microg/kg/min starting at induction and continued for 24 hours postoperatively. Haemodynamic parameters, cardiac enzyme levels and use of vasoactive agents were studied and compared using ANOVA, unpaired "t" and Fisher's exact tests. The two groups did not differ with respect to preoperative and operative data. Diltiazem group showed lower cardiac index (2.66+/-0.8 and 2.27+/-0.89 L/min/m2) as compared with nicorandil group (3.16+/-0.79 and 2.97+/-1.01 L/min/m2) during revascularisation of anterior (P=0.03) and inferior (P=0.01) circulation respectively. The systemic vascular resistance index was higher (2290+/-699 and 2545+/-911 dync.sec.cm-5.m2) in diltiazem group as compared with nicorandil group (1822+/-532 and 1877+/-548 dyne. sec.cm-5.m2) during revascularization of anterior (P=0.01) and inferior (P=0.002) circulation respectively. The mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly higher in nicorandil group as compared with diltiazem group during revascularisation of anterior circulation (22.5+/-4.9 and 18.1+/-6.8 mmHg, P=0.01). The patients in the diltiazem group maintained a lower heart rate throughout the study period, but the difference was not statistically significant. None of the patients exhibited any arrhythmia except one in nicorandil group, who developed supraventricular arrhythmia 24 hours postoperatively. Cardiac enzyme levels were found to be similar in the two groups. The present study demonstrates that the anti-ischemic and antiarrythmic effects of diltiazem and nicorandil are comparable, but diltiazem causes a decrease in cardiac index and increase in systemic vascular resistance index during revascularization of anterior and inferior circulation.     

Initial Characteristics of Psychological Development and Evolution of the Young Autistic Child

This longitudinal study assessed multidisciplinary data on 219 children with autistic spectrum disorders from the median age of 5 (Time 1) to 8 years old (Time 2). The evolution of psychological and adaptive data was subjected to cluster analysis. Four clinically meaningful clusters emerged. The first group (21%) demonstrated the most important psychological transformations between the two times of the research. The second group (24%) made progress but less than group 1. The third and biggest group (30%) kept the same developmental slope. The fourth group (25%) showed no significant evolution between the two times of the research. This study highlights important differences among children with autism and the necessity of using a developmental view when considering the autistic syndrome.     

Socio-demographic determinants of neonatal mortality in Algeria according to MICS4 data (2012–2013)

BackgroundNeonatal mortality remains a public health problem in developing countries, including Algeria. Information on this indicator makes it possible to assess government efforts to improve the living conditions of target populations.ObjectivesThis study aims to identify some determinants associated with this mortality from data of multiple indicator cluster survey conducted in Algeria in 2012–2013 (mics 4).MethodsA retrospective case-control study including 1047 cases and 1041 controls. From a logistic regression model, we appreciated the role of different factors, socio-demographic, economic and geographic (Mother''s age, level of education, wealth index, area of residence) in newborn survival.ResultsThe main factors associated with neonatal mortality were rural residence (p<0.01; OR= 1.3; CI 1.08–1.54), South geographical area (p<0.05; OR=1.5; CI 1.18–1.84), low education level of mother (p<0.01; OR= 2.10; CI 1.35– 3.29), early age of maternal procreation (p<0.001; OR=4.34; CI 2.19– 14.40), the birth rank “7 and over” (<0.01; OR = 1.57; CI 1.13 – 2.44) and the two lowest wealth indices (p <0.001; OR = 2; 1.45–2.62 and p <0.01; OR = 1.66; CI 1.23–2.26).ConclusionIn addition to the various reproductive health strategies already adopted by the authorities for health promotion and family planning, action should be taken to evaluate their implementation with sustained assistance for disadvantaged people and in risk areas.