Molecular Cytogenetic Profiling Reveals Similarities and Differences Between Localized Nodal and Systemic Follicular Lymphomas

Recently, we have developed novel highly promising gene expression (GE) classifiers discriminating localized nodal (LFL) from systemic follicular lymphoma (SFL) with prognostic impact. However, few data are available in LFL especially concerning hotspot genetic alterations that are associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of SFL. A total of 144 LFL and 527 SFL, enrolled in prospective clinical trials of the German Low Grade Lymphoma Study Group, were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect deletions in chromosomes 1p, 6q, and 17p as well as BCL2 translocations to determine their impact on clinical outcome of LFL patients. The frequency of chromosomal deletions in 1p and 17p was comparable between LFL and SFL, while 6q deletions and BCL2 translocations more frequently occurred in SFL. A higher proportion of 1p deletions was seen in BCL2-translocation–positive LFL, compared with BCL2-translocation–negative LFL. Deletions in chromosomes 1p, 6q, and 17p predicted clinical outcome of patients with SFL in the entire cohort, while only deletions in chromosome 1p retained its negative prognostic impact in R-CHOP–treated SFL. In contrast, no deletions in one of the investigated genetic loci predicted clinical outcome in LFL. Likewise, the presence or absence of BCL2 translocations had no prognostic impact in LFL. Despite representing a genetic portfolio closely resembling SFL, LFL showed some differences in deletion frequencies. BCL2 translocation and 6q deletion frequency differs between LFL and SFL and might contribute to distinct genetic profiles in LFL and SFL

Clinical neuro-oncology for the neurologist.

Purpose of reviewNeuro-oncologic patients are routinely encountered in clinical practice. Neuro-oncology is a rapidly evolving field, so understanding the most classic paradigms and contemporary advances will optimize patient care.Recent findingsWe discuss the recent reclassification of tumors via molecular characteristics as it applies to direct clinical practice and review the contemporary standard of care for infiltrating gliomas, meningiomas, brain metastases, and CNS lymphoma.SummaryWe provide a straightforward primer on neuro-oncology with a focus on the brain tumors most commonly encountered by the adult neurologist and a clear emphasis on clinically relevant points including those which have recently become incorporated into our standard management. We cite key reviews to allow interested readers an opportunity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of specific topics

Analysis of thermal infrared directional anisotropy over different surface types

Measurements of surface temperature performed in the thermal infrared (TIR) domain display important directional anisotropy and significant 'hot spot' effects during daytime. These depend (1) on the surface structure which governs the temperature profiles inside the canopy via the coupled energy-radiative transfers simultaneously to the spatial distribution of the facets seen by the sensor, and (2) on the solar position. Characterizing the TIR directional anisotropy is important for several purposes : (1) access to the surface temperature of the different canopy layers for improving sensible heat flux estimates, (2) assimilation of multi-angular remotely sensed data in the surface models, (3) correction and normalization of large swath satellite sensors with the scope of analyzing temporal or spatial variability, and (4) definition of optimal viewing configurations and recommendations for future TIR spatial systems. Several experiments based on airborne measurements have been performed to characterize the TIR directional anisotropy over different types of surfaces: pine forests, vineyards, urban areas. The protocol is based on the use of a TIR camera equipped with wide-angle lenses and installed aboard a small aircraft flying different directions. It allows retrieving directional anisotropy (differences between oblique and nadir viewing temperatures) in a range of zenithal viewing angles up to 60° and in all azimutal directions. The possible sources of errors related to the instruments and the atmosphere are analysed and corrections proposed. Experimental results reveal significant directional anisotropy whatever the surface type. Measurements performed at different times of day and at different periods of the year show systematic hot spots in relation with the sun position. The impact of the surface structure is also illustrated. Over maritime pine stands it is shown that the size of the hot spot directly depends on the stand structure (i.e. size, geometry and spacing of trees on the stand), with values reaching ±2 K in the principal plane. Results obtained over vineyards reveal that anisotropy results from the combination of a 'macro structure' effect (orientation of rows) with a 'micro-structure' effect (hot spot of bare stony soil). The strong contrasts between dry bare soil and vegetation walls explain huge directional variations from -12 to 4 K in the principal plane. The impact of the size of buildings, the built-up ratio, and the vegetation ratio on the TIR anisotropy over urban areas is also illustrated from results obtained in the framework of the ESCOMPTE experiment performed at Marseille in 2001 which show ranges of variation between -5 K up to 7 K. An example of application for the correction of two temporal series of NOAA 14 and NOAA 16 data over the city is given. Finally we discuss the difficulty of assessing the contribution of angular variations in surface emissivity to the overall thermal anisotropy, and we briefly present a directional anisotropy modelling approach of surface temperature based on combining 3D canopy models with surface models

Disability outcomes in early-stage African American and White people with multiple sclerosis

Factors driving differences in disease burden between African American and White people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) remain unclear. Here, we explored whether differences in disability outcomes could be observed after controlling for major sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, and assessed the presence of a possible interaction between MS and race

Practical guidance for telemedicine use in neuro-oncology.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the expansion of telemedicine into nearly every specialty of medicine, few articles have summarized current practices and recommendations for integrating virtual care in the practice of neuro-oncology. This article identifies current telemedicine practice, provides practical guidance for conducting telemedicine visits, and generates recommendations for integrating virtual care into neuro-oncology practice. Practical aspects of telemedicine are summarized including when to use and not use telemedicine, how to conduct a virtual visit, who to include in the virtual encounter, unique aspects of telehealth in neuro-oncology, and emerging innovations

Efficacy of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for newly diagnosed and recurrent IDH wild-type glioblastoma

BackgroundTreatment options for unresectable new and recurrent glioblastoma remain limited. Laser ablation has demonstrated safety as a surgical approach to treating primary brain tumors. The LAANTERN prospective multicenter registry (NCT02392078) data were analyzed to determine clinical outcomes for patients with new and recurrent IDH wild-type glioblastoma.MethodsDemographics, intraprocedural data, adverse events, KPS, health economics, and survival data were prospectively collected and then analyzed on IDH wild-type newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma patients who were treated with laser ablation at 14 US centers between January 2016 and May 2019. Data were monitored for accuracy. Statistical analysis included individual variable summaries, multivariable differences in survival, and median survival numbers.ResultsA total of 29 new and 60 recurrent IDH wild-type WHO grade 4 glioblastoma patients were treated. Positive MGMT promoter methylation status was present in 5/29 of new and 23/60 of recurrent patients. Median physician-estimated extent of ablation was 91%-99%. Median overall survival (OS) was 9.73 months (95% confidence interval: 5.16, 15.91) for newly diagnosed patients and median post-procedure survival was 8.97 months (6.94, 12.36) for recurrent patients. Median OS for newly diagnosed patients receiving post-LITT chemo/radiation was 16.14 months (6.11, not reached). Factors associated with improved survival were MGMT promoter methylation, adjuvant chemotherapy within 12 weeks, and tumor volume <3 cc.ConclusionsLaser ablation is a viable option for patients with new and recurrent glioblastoma. Median OS for IDH wild-type newly diagnosed glioblastoma is comparable to outcomes observed in other tumor resection studies when those patients undergo radiation and chemotherapy following LITT

Biobanking in everyday clinical practice in psychiatry—The Munich Mental Health Biobank

Translational research on complex, multifactorial mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders requires databases with large-scale, harmonized, and integrated real-world and research data. The Munich Mental Health Biobank (MMHB) is a mental health-specific biobank that was established in 2019 to collect, store, connect, and supply such high-quality phenotypic data and biosamples from patients and study participants, including healthy controls, recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DPP) and the Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany. Participants are asked to complete a questionnaire that assesses sociodemographic and cross-diagnostic clinical information, provide blood samples, and grant access to their existing medical records. The generated data and biosamples are available to both academic and industry researchers. In this manuscript, we outline the workflow and infrastructure of the MMHB, describe the clinical characteristics and representativeness of the sample collected so far, and reveal future plans for expansion and application. As of 31 October 2021, the MMHB contains a continuously growing set of data from 578 patients and 104 healthy controls (46.37% women; median age, 38.31 years). The five most common mental health diagnoses in the MMHB are recurrent depressive disorder (38.78%; ICD-10: F33), alcohol-related disorders (19.88%; ICD-10: F10), schizophrenia (19.69%; ICD-10: F20), depressive episode (15.94%; ICD-10: F32), and personality disorders (13.78%; ICD-10: F60). Compared with the average patient treated at the recruiting hospitals, MMHB participants have significantly more mental health-related contacts, less severe symptoms, and a higher level of functioning. The distribution of diagnoses is also markedly different in MMHB participants compared with individuals who did not participate in the biobank. After establishing the necessary infrastructure and initiating recruitment, the major tasks for the next phase of the MMHB project are to improve the pace of participant enrollment, diversify the sociodemographic and diagnostic characteristics of the sample, and improve the utilization of real-world data generated in routine clinical practice