Golimumab and malignancies: true or false association?

Malignancy is one of the comorbidities linked to golimumab, a biological TNF-α blocker. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched different databases and analyzed original publications to elucidate the remaining open question about the real association of malignancies with golimumab therapy. The most frequent cancer in patients treated with golimumab, in association or not with methotrexate, is the lung adenocarcinoma. However, lymphoma is not very commonly represented in these patients. We show that there is no major and evident risk of malignancies associated with golimumab in current scientific literature. An increased risk of malignancies may be associated with golimumab, but this warrants further clinical confirmation. Also, this risk mentioned in different studies must be taken with caution because of number of limits and biases.     

The posterior ventricular branches of the internal cerebral and basilar veins in cases of deep cerebral tumours infiltrating the basal ganglia

Summary The authors reviewed 40 cases of cerebral tumours with deep extension into the basal ganglia. — In 50% the posterior ventricular branches of the internal and basilar veins could be defined. The venous signs of deep tumoral extension of cerebral tumours are evaluated.

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Die Ventrikeläste der V. cerebralis interna und V. basilaris bei tiefgelegenen Hirntumoren, die in die basalen Ganglien gewachsen sind

Zusammenfassung In einer Serie von 40 Fällen tief lokalisierter Cerebraltumoren, die in die basalen Ganglien einwuchsen, haben die Autoren in 50% die ventrikulären Äste der vena cerebralis interna und der vena basilaris definieren können. Die venösen Zeichen der tiefen Proliferation der Tumoren wurden vermerkt und beschrieben.

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Les branches ventriculaires postérieures de la veine cérébrale interne et de la veine basilaire dans les cas de tumeur infiltrante des ganglions de la base

Résumé A propos de 40 tumeurs malignes à extension profonde vers les noyaux gris, les auteurs étudient les veines ventriculaires que sont parfaitement définies dans 50% des cas. L'étude de ces veines constitue un élément d'appoint pour juger l'envahissement profond d'un processus expansif.

     

Primary sporadic Burkitt lymphoma of the orbit,clinical characteristics,management, and outcomes: a case study

Background

Involvement of the orbit with Burkitt’s lymphoma is a very rare presentation of extra-nodal lymphoma.

Illustrative case

We report a case of a 2-year-old female presented an unusual location of sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma arising in the orbital region. Diagnostic magnetic resonance imagining identified an oval-shaped mass on the lateral rectus of the right orbit that caused dislocation of eyeball, for which she underwent a biopsy from the periorbital swellings.The mass was histologically confirmed as Burkitt’s lymphoma, and postoperative aggressive chemotherapy was initiated.We describe clinical diagnosis, histological aspects, radiological features, and current management of this rapidly growing malignant tumor.

Conclusion

Because of the rapid progression of Burkitt lymphoma, and considering that it responds well to treatment, early recognition and appropriate management are important factors for survival and to preserve visual function.

     

Tyrosine phosphorylation / dephosphorylation balance is involved in thrombin-evoked microtubular reorganisation in human platelets

We have investigated the intracellular mechanisms involved in microtubular remodelling by thrombin and its possible involvement in platelet aggregation and secretion. Platelet stimulation with thrombin induces a time- and concentration-dependent regulation of the microtubular content, which was found to be maximally effective at the concentration 0.1 U/ml. Thrombin (0.1 U/ml) evoked an initial decrease in the microtubule content detectable at 5 seconds (sec) and reached a minimum 10 sec after stimulation. The microtubular content then increased, exceeding basal levels again approximately 30 sec after stimulation. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases using vanadate abolished thrombin-induced microtubular depolymerisation while inhibition of tyrosine kinases by methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate prevented microtubule polymerisation. Thrombin activates the cytosolic Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and Src proteins. Inhibition of Btk or Src by LFM-A13 or PP1, respectively, abolished thrombin-induced microtubular polymerisation, while maintaining intact its ability to induce initial depolymerisation. Microtubular disruption by colchicine significantly reduced thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and ATP secretion. Similar results were observed after inhibition of microtubular disassembly by paclitaxel. These findings indicate that thrombin induces microtubular remodelling by modifying the balance between protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. The former seems to be required for microtubular polymerisation, while tyrosine dephosphorylation is required for microtubular depolymerisation. Both, initial microtubular disassembly and subsequent polymerisation are required for thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and secretion in human platelets.     

HLA-G regulators in cancer medicine: an outline of key requirements

HLA-G is unique among the class I human leukocyte antigens. It plays a pivotal role in immune tolerance and a paradoxical role in therapies. Indeed, HLA-G expression is associated with a good prognosis in organ transplantation and an ominous prognosis in cancer. Recent progress has been made in HLA-G regulation identification, especially on human cell lines; however, little is known about their role in cancer therapy. Based on the role of HLA-G expression in cancer, we investigated the potential impact of the regulation of this expression on the outcome of some cancers. In this communication, we emphasize the importance of screening for HLA-G expression after cancer therapy. Future clinical trials could lead to a better understanding of the implication of HLA-G expression in cancer and lead to a better knowledge of cancer monitoring and recurrence. These studies could also implicate HLA-G as a therapeutic target in cancer therapy.     

Presentation and diagnosis of patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease in resources-limited laboratory

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder that results from decreased von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity <0.30 iu/mL. Therefore, the diagnosis of type 3 VWD in patients with bleeding requires finding a VWF:Ag and/or VWF:platelet ristocetin cofactor (RiCof) <0.03 iu/mL, no further testing is usually necessary. This is a cohort study that included 64 patients with type 3 VWD who were presented and diagnosed at the National Center of Hematology (NCH) from October 2014 to October 2016. In this study the sensitivity of VWF:Ag is only 78%, the sensitivity of VWF:RiCof is 92% of diagnosed cases. From our results it can be concluded that patients with type 3 VWD are usually presented with moderate/severe mucocutaneous bleeding that is associated with prolonged bleeding time test of >10 min and a family history of similar type of bleeding. This fact was frequently utilized to provisionally diagnose several members of the same family, forming a cohort of patients that is larger than the number of objectively-diagnosed patients included in this study, when they cannot afford to be all tested with VWF:Ag/VWF:RiCof.     

Phytochemical Characterization of Olea europea Leaf Extracts and Assessment of Their Anti-Microbial and Anti-HSV-1 Activity

Owing to the richness of bioactive compounds, Olea europea leaf extracts exhibit a range of health effects. The present research evaluated the antibacterial and antiviral effect of leaf extracts obtained from Olea europea L. var. sativa (OESA) and Olea europea var. sylvestris (OESY) from Tunisia. LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the identification of different compounds that contributed to the observed biological properties. Both OESA and OESY were active against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC values between 7.81 and 15.61 μg/mL and between 15.61 and 31.25 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 for OESY and OESA, respectively). The antiviral activity against the herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) was assessed on Vero cells. The results of cell viability indicated that Olea europea leaf extracts were not toxic to cultured Vero cells. The half maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) values for OESA and OESY were 0.2 mg/mL and 0.82 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both a plaque reduction assay and viral entry assay were used to demonstrate the antiviral activity. In conclusion, Olea europea leaf extracts demonstrated a bacteriostatic effect, as well as remarkable antiviral activity, which could provide an alternative treatment against resistant strains.