Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Although non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a frequent cancer worldwide, primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare presentation, with an incidence of less than 0.5 per 100,000 persons-years in the western world. In the vast majority of cases, it has the histology of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and is a hardly curable disease with high relapse risk. Therapeutic options are limited by blood-brain barrier penetration of drugs and because of its low-incidence high-grade evidence from large studies is lacking, current management being based on reports on rather small cohorts. The current standard first-line treatment for PCNSL consists of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in combination with a variety of drugs and consolidation whole-brain radiotherapy, the latter being progressively replaced by chemotherapy. For patients relapsing after first-line treatment, intensive chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support is a feasible and relatively safe salvage therapy. In the present chapter, we briefly discuss primary central nervous system lymphoma management and review current therapeutic options and evidence-based recommendations. We discuss the role of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and new prospects to avoid this side effect-ridden approach. Also, we will look at new therapeutic approaches currently under investigation, including immunotherapy

A perspective on the recent developments in international financial reporting

The objective of the present paper is to provide a synopsis of the recent international financial reporting developments as well as to identify some of the related worldwide implications. The unprecedented joint activity of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has caused, in the last decade, a series of debates on whether or not International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) represent what is best of the international accounting practices. The adoption of these IFRSs by more than one hundred jurisdictions around the world is probably one of the most important recent changes in financial information environment. In this context it is imperative to examine the position of the United States of America and European Union in relation to the endorsement of these standards, in order to differentiate the institutional decisions able to influence greatly the adoption process. Moreover, this paper explores several aspects connected to the changes in IASB’s conceptual framework and in the main accounting standards. From the proposed analysis, it emerges the image of IASB’s standards complex nature and the role played by these recent developments in reshaping the future of accounting

Specific features of Islamic accounting and cultural paradigm

The objective of this paper is to provide a synopsis of Islamic accounting characteristics as well as to identify some of the determinants which led to its specificity. It explores several aspects related to the Islamic accounting principles and its institutional framework. The cultural paradigm is viewed as a differentiating key factor in the elaboration and implementation of the accounting standards in the Islamic Word. Based on Hofstede approach, the elements of this paradigm are linked to the relative preference for IFRS adoption of different Islamic countries. From the proposed analysis, it emerges the image of Islamic Accounting’s complex nature, which may be seen as a distinct alternative to the principles and views promoted by IFRS

A perspective on the recent developments in international financial reporting

The objective of the present paper is to provide a synopsis of the recent international financial reporting developments as well as to identify some of the related worldwide implications. The unprecedented joint activity of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has caused, in the last decade, a series of debates on whether or not International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) represent what is best of the international accounting practices. The adoption of these IFRSs by more than one hundred jurisdictions around the world is probably one of the most important recent changes in financial information environment. In this context it is imperative to examine the position of the United States of America and European Union in relation to the endorsement of these standards, in order to differentiate the institutional decisions able to influence greatly the adoption process. Moreover, this paper explores several aspects connected to the changes in IASB’s conceptual framework and in the main accounting standards. From the proposed analysis, it emerges the image of IASB’s standards complex nature and the role played by these recent developments in reshaping the future of accounting

A perspective on the recent developments in international financial reporting

The objective of the present paper is to provide a synopsis of the recent international financial reporting developments as well as to identify some of the related worldwide implications. The unprecedented joint activity of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has caused, in the last decade, a series of debates on whether or not International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) represent what is best of the international accounting practices. The adoption of these IFRSs by more than one hundred jurisdictions around the world is probably one of the most important recent changes in financial information environment. In this context it is imperative to examine the position of the United States of America and European Union in relation to the endorsement of these standards, in order to differentiate the institutional decisions able to influence greatly the adoption process. Moreover, this paper explores several aspects connected to the changes in IASB’s conceptual framework and in the main accounting standards. From the proposed analysis, it emerges the image of IASB’s standards complex nature and the role played by these recent developments in reshaping the future of accounting

Specific features of Islamic accounting and cultural paradigm

The objective of this paper is to provide a synopsis of Islamic accounting characteristics as well as to identify some of the determinants which led to its specificity. It explores several aspects related to the Islamic accounting principles and its institutional framework. The cultural paradigm is viewed as a differentiating key factor in the elaboration and implementation of the accounting standards in the Islamic Word. Based on Hofstede approach, the elements of this paradigm are linked to the relative preference for IFRS adoption of different Islamic countries. From the proposed analysis, it emerges the image of Islamic Accounting’s complex nature, which may be seen as a distinct alternative to the principles and views promoted by IFRS

CAT, GPX1, MnSOD, GSTM1, GSTT1

Oxidative damage at the DNA level may be promoted by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to genomic instability and increased neoplastic risk. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) enzymes are implicated in the prevention of DNA damage by ROS. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between CAT C262T, GPX1 Pro198Leu, MnSOD Ala16Val, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms and the risk of CML. No association was observed between CML and variant genotypes of GPX1, MnSOD, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms in any of the investigated cases. Our study suggests that the homozygous variant genotype of the GSTP1 Ile105Val gene polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of developing CML (OR=2.5; 95% CI=1.08–5.7; P value = 0.02), while the heterozygous genotype of the CAT C262T polymorphism seems to have a protective effect against CML (OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.39–0.89, P value = 0.01). In most cases, no association was found between laboratory parameters and prognostic factors and the variant genotype of investigated gene polymorphisms. We concluded that CAT, GPX, MnSOD, GSTM1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of CML. Variant genotype of the GSTP1 Ile105Val gene polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of developing CML

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with pneumothorax, a challenge for the neonatologist on call

Objectives. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) represents a developmental defect of the diaphragm, which allows the protrusion of the abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity. In view of the fact that herniation occurs during a critical period of lung development, the pathological effect is pulmonary hypoplasia in different degrees, usually more severe on the ipsilateral side of the hernia, and also may be present contralateral if the mediastinum is bulged, compressing the lung. Material and methods. We present the case of a patient hospitalized in the Neonatology Department of “St. Andrew” County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Constanta, diagnosed with left CDH at birth. Outcomes. Full-term male newborn, gestational age (GA) 39 weeks, birth weight (BW) 3300g, Apgar Score 6. The 35-year-old mother, Gravida-VI, Para-III, has a pregnancy with inadequate prenatal care, with no structural abnormalities of the fetus detected by the 3rd-semester ultrasound. At birth, the newborn needed neonatal resuscitation, initially with positive pressure ventilation (on mask and bag) and after that, intubated and mechanical ventilated. Chest X-Ray showed a left diaphragmatic hernia, and the pediatric surgery team was called for further therapeutic management. Approximately 48 hours postoperatively, the chest X-Ray identified right upper lobe pneumothorax, with complete remission in 24 hours, under mechanical ventilation. Conclusions. CDH represents a condition with a challenging diagnosis and management. In the best cases, newborns have a very good clinical outcome with neonatal care and surgical treatment after birth. The management of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia requires the services of an interprofessional team. After the diagnosis in the antenatal period, parents should be allowed to discuss with a team, including maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric surgery, neonatology, and social work as appropriate. Genetic evaluation and counseling are recommended to identify risks in future pregnancies. Following the repair in the postnatal period, a standardized and interdisciplinary follow-up to provide surveillance, screening, and clinical care is recommended to improve outcomes

Assessment tools of disability status after stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The global incidence of stroke has increased in recent years, although low and middle-income countries have been heavily affected. Because of the complicated and diversified physical and emotional disruption, stroke survivors are likely to face a variety of difficulties in daily life activities. Because of the wide impact of a stroke on all body structures and functions, there is no gold standard instrument to evaluate impairment and all elements of recovery after a stroke, and there is no single scale that can capture all the effects of a stroke. The International Classification of Impairments, Disability, and Handicaps (ICIDH) categorized the consequences of the diseases into three categories: impairment, disability, and handicap. Using the biopsychosocial model in 2001 WHO defines and classifies disability by using International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF divides the impairment into three categories: body function and structure, activity, and participation. This article aims to review the most important tools that are reliable and valid in assessing the disability left after a stroke: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI), The modified Rankin scale (mRS), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0). The WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire is validated in several countries and it would be useful to be validated, also, in our country