Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma mimicking chronic invasive fungal disease of paranasal sinuses

Sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma or teratocarcinoma is an extremely rare aggressive tumour. It usually arises in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. In this study, the authors described magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings from a patient with sinonasal teratocarcinoma. Computed tomography of the sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma can mimic paranasal fungal infections. Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful tool for making a differential diagnosis between the sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma and paranasal sinusitis.

The antimicrobial activity of Liquidambar orientalis mill. against food pathogens and antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants are an important source of substances which are claimed to induce antimicrobial, antimutagenic and antioxidant effects. Many plants have been used due to their antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of L. orientalis have not been reported to the present day. The aim of this work was to investigate of the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of different extracts from L. orientalis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against different food pathogens. These bacteria include 4 Gram positive and 3 Gram negative bacteria and one fungi. The leaf extracts of plant were tested by disc diffusion assay. The MIC was evaluated on plant extracts as antimicrobial activity. In addition to, the plant extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate) free-radical.

RESULTS

The acetone, ethanol and methanol extracts of L. orientalis showed maximum inhibition zone of 12 mm against Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to, the methanol extract displayed a strong antioxidant activity (trolox equivalent = 2.23 mM).

CONCLUSION

L. orientalis extracts have antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential. Our results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine and suggest that some of the plant extracts possess compounds with good antibacterial properties that can be used as antibacterial agents in the search for new drugs.

Congenital IL-12R1β receptor deficiency and thrombophilia in a girl homozygous for an IL12RB1 mutation and compound heterozygous for MTFHR mutations: A case report and literature review

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays an important role in the production of interferon gamma from T cells and natural killer cells and is essential for protection against intra-macrophagic pathogens such as Mycobacterium and Salmonella. Here, we describe a 16-year-old girl with homozygous mutation in exon 12 of the IL12RB1 gene, which causes complete IL-12Rβ1 deficiency in association with heterozygous mutation (C677T and A1298C) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene. She presented with disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection, retroperitoneal fungal abscess and also thrombosis in the superior mesenteric-portal vein junction. This is the first case report of a primary immunodeficiency associated with a genetically determined venous thrombosis.

[Alexandre Vallaury and two of the buildings he constructed]

A. Vallaury appears in the Ottoman society as an architect and an educator with his remarkable personality in the late XIX. century. In this essay two buildings designed by Vallaury, "Mekteb-i Tibbiye-i Sâhâne" and "Büyükada Greek Orphanage" are described. This study consists of three parts, Vallaury's life story, his works and contribution to the Ottoman architecture. Vallaury was born in Istanbul on April 2, 1850. His parents were of Levantin and French origin. He went to Paris for higher education and attended the School of Fine Arts. On returning to Istanbul, he worked as a teacher of architecture at the "Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Alisi", (today's Mimar Sinan University) from March 2, 1883 to August 10, 1908. He was rewarded with Legion d'Honneur in 1896. He died in Istanbul on May 2, 1921. Vallaury's works may be classified as, commercial, cultural, educational, residential and religious buildings. Some of his works may be exemplified as such: Afif Pasha Yalisi (Seaside Residence) at Istinye, Mecid Efendi Kiosk at Bağlarbasşi, Ottoman Bank at Galata and Eminönü, Dümayûn-i (Royal Museum of Archeology) at Sultanahmet, School of Medicine at Haydarpasha, and Greek Orphanage at Büyükada. A. Vallaury fused Ottoman culture and Western forms together in his works. He also designed buildings of free articulation, new measurement and novel proportions. He was a respected Ottoman intellectual, as well.