Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the commonest primary malignant brain tumor and has a remarkably weak prognosis. According to the aggressive form of GBM, understanding the accurate molecular mechanism associated with GBM pathogenesis is essential. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) belongs to transforming growth factor‐β superfamily with important roles to control biological processes. It affects cancer growth and progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. It also can promote stemness in many cancers, and also can stress reactions control, bone generation, hematopoietic growth, adipose tissue performance, and body growth, and contributes to cardiovascular disorders. The role GDF‐15 to develop and progress cancer is complicated and remains unclear. GDF‐15 possesses tumor suppressor properties, as well as an oncogenic effect. GDF‐15 antitumorigenic and protumorigenic impacts on tumor development are linked to the cancer type and stage. However, the GDF‐15 signaling and mechanism have not yet been completely identified because of no recognized cognate receptor.
background. Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the most common debilitating neurological disorder worldwide. The ischemic injury causes inflammation and oxidative stress, and leads to apoptosis, necrosis and activation of autophagal pathways determining final infarct size. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, is a small molecule that acts as a free radical scavenger, and performs antioxidant activities in several neurodegenerative diseases. Melatonin secretion reduces in aging due to pineal gland calcification and thus the calcification is a representative of reduced melatonin production. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the association of pineal gland calcification and stroke. Material and methods. An analytical cross sectional single center study was conducted. Pineal gland calcification was assessed by CT scan in 179 patients with ischemic stroke and 177 hospital controls. results. The mean age in the control and stroke groups were 58.18 and 61.2 years, respectively. Pineal gland calcification was found in 77.4% of subjects in the control group and 88.8% of the subjects in the stroke group. Pineal gland calcification, alone, was shown to significantly increase the risk of ischemic stroke (P=0.005; OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.2-4.1). Furthermore, after adjustment for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyper lipedema, gender, and age, there was still a significant association of pineal gland calcification with ischemic stroke (P=0.04; OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.0-3.9). conclusion. The evidence from the present study suggests that pineal gland calcification is associated with ischemic stroke.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a highly aggressive tumor and mostly develops in children and young adults. PNETs of peripheral nerves are uncommon. Ulnar nerve, in particular, is an extremely peculiar origin for PNET and to the best of our knowledge only few well-documented cases have been yet reported.
Background and Importance: Primitive Neuro-Ectodermal Tumor (PNET) is a highly aggressive tumor composed of small round blue cells, mostly developing in children and young adults. Two subcategories of central and peripheral PNET have been discussed. Central nervous system (CNS) is the usual primary site where PNETs are found, while PNETs of peripheral nerves are uncommon. Ulnar nerve, in particular, is an extremely peculiar origin for PNET and to the best of our knowledge only few well-documented cases have been yet reported.Clinical Presentation: A 30-year-old male presented with progressive paresthesia of right hand's little finger and painless swelling of right axillary. Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography showed a heterogeneous, high-signal, round mass within the right axillary fossa in proximity to the medial aspect of brachial plexus branches. Clinical and radiological study were unable for accurate diagnosis and surgical resection of the tumor was done. Pathology reported a small, round, blue cell tumor which immunohistochemistricaly was consistent with PNET. Conclusion:Although pPNET is not obviously the first differential diagnosis coming to mind when a rapidly growing mass in the axillary fossa arises from the peripheral nerves, but due to its highly malignant behavior, it is important to be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral nerve neoplasms.
Background: Patients with ischemic stroke and underlying Atrial Fibrillation (AF) have a high risk of recurrent embolic events. New Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) is highly effective and reduces the risk of recurrence in AF-associated Ischemic Stroke (AFAIS). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prescription pattern of NOAC and its determinant factors in patients with non-valvular AFAIS. Materials & Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study and the participants were referred to an academic hospital in the north of Iran from 2017 to 2018. The study variables included demographic variables such as the use of new anticoagulants, age, sex, place of residence, income level, education, the history of stroke and myocardial Infarction (MI), medication, and stroke severity based on The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale criteria. The patient’s functional status based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was extracted from the patients’ medical records. The data analysis was conducted by SPSS V. 19, using the Chi-square test and t-test, as well as the logistic regression model. Results: In this study, 363 patients with ischemic stroke with the origin of non-valvular AF and the mean age of 67.87 years were studied. Of them, 191 (52.6%) patients were women, and 30.6% were prescribed rivaroxaban at the time of discharge. The results showed that women were more likely to use rivaroxaban than men (P=0.001, OR=0.422). The history of stroke (P=0.004, OR=2.17) and the stroke severity (P=0.05, OR=2.19) was associated with an increase in NOAC prescription. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the administration of NOAC in this population was low and associated with gender and the severity and the history of stroke.
Trichorrhexis invaginata and ichthyosiform erythroderma are pathognomic for Netherton Syndrome.
Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. MS gradually limits and deteriorates the patients’ quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of life in patients with MS consuming Fingolimod and Cinnovex. Materials & Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional study, 106 patients with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) referred to specialized neurology clinics of Guilan University of Medical Sciences were selected for the study using a convenience sampling method (52 patients consuming Fingolimod and 54 patients consuming Cinnovex). Then, we collected their demographic information and medical profile. The patients were assessed by the Hamburg quality of life questionnaire in MS. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS V. 22 using the Chi-square test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, one-way and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, number of attacks in the last 6 months, and educational level (P<0.05). After controlling confounding variables, it was found that consumers of Fingolimod had a better quality of life. At the subscales level, this difference was significant only in the mood dimension (F=6.931, P=0.011, η=0.12). Conclusion: Patients consuming Fingolimod reported a better quality of life compared to consumers of Cinnovex. This improvement was mainly found in mood scores.
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