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Background : An increasing number of neuroimaging studies have revealed gray matter (GM) anomalies of several brain regions by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies in migraineurs. However, not all the studies reported entirely consistent findings. Our aim is to investigate concurrence across VBM studies to help clarify the structural anomalies underpinning this condition. Methods : A systematic search of VBM studies of patients with migraine and healthy controls (HC) published in PubMed and Embase databases from January 2000 to March 2014 was conducted. A quantitative meta-analysis of whole-brain VBM studies in patients with migraine compared with HC was performed by means of anisotropic effect size version of signed differential mapping (AES-SDM) software package. Results : Nine studies comprising 222 patients with migraine and 230 HC subjects were included in the present study. Compared to HC subjects, the patients group showed consistent decreased GM in the posterior insular-opercular regions, the prefrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. Results remained largely unchanged in the following jackknife sensitivity analyses. Meta-regression analysis showed that a higher percentage of females in the patient sample was associated with decreased GM in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Conclusions : This is the first quantitative whole-brain VBM meta-analysis in migraine showing strong evidence of brain GM anomalies within the pain-processing neural network. Further longitudinal investigations are needed to determine whether these structural anomalies are reversible with effective treatment on migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with fibroblastic growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) abnormalities originate from mutated pluripotent stem cells and have a heterogeneous clinical presentation. There are 12 identified partner genes commonly involved in FGFR1 translocation at an 8p11 breakpoint. In FGFR1-related neoplasms, T-lymphoblastic lymphoma with eosinophilia is the most common clinical scenario, whereas acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL/LBL) is rare. To date, only 7 cases of B-ALL/LBL with FGFR1 abnormalities have been reported. Here, we report an additional case of a 64-year-old gentleman with leukocytosis, eosinophilia and diffuse mediastinal and general lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow examination showed patchy infiltrates of immature precursors/blasts, along with myeloid/eosinophilic hyperplasia. Immunophenotyping confirmed increased B lymphoblasts (30-40%). Karyotyping revealed cytogenetic abnormalities, including t(8;13)(p11;q12)/ZMYM2 (ZNF198)-FGFR1 and trisomy 21. The patient did not respond to hyper-CVAD chemotherapy and within 4 months developed acute myelomonocytic leukemia and expired 11 months after the initial diagnosis. Similar cases from the literature are reviewed. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes several novel mutations that result in breakpoint cluster region (BCR)-ABL protein truncations of various lengths within the kinase domain. It relates the structures of the ABL kinase, part of the BCR-ABL leukemogenic molecule. It outlines the four previously unrecognized ABL kinase mutations found in chronic myologenous leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients using a sensitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing approaches.

Background In RRMS, clinical exacerbations are usually associated with different types of active lesions at MRI, including: hyperintense lesions on T1-weighted post-gadolinium sequences; new hyperintense lesions or enlarging old lesions on PD/T2-weighted scans; or new hypointense lesions on T1-weighted pre-Gd sequences. Objective/methods Primary outcome was the occurrence of patients with at least one active MRI lesion of the different types indicated above during treatment with 250 m g every other day (EOD) interferon beta (IFNβ)-1b or 30 μg once weekly (OW) IFNβ-1a in outpatients with RRMS (INCOMIN Trial). Results The number of patients with at least one 'active' lesion, evaluated over the two-year follow-up, was significantly (P=0.014) lower in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm (13/76, 17%) then in the OW IFNβ-1a arm (25/73, 34%). NAb frequency over two-year follow-up was 22/65 (33.8%) in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm and 4/62 (6.5%) in the OW IFNβ-1a arm, significantly greater in the EOD IFNβ-1b arm. Conclusions The development of MRI active lesions is strongly reduced by EOD-IFNβ-1b compared with OW-IFNβ-1a, indicating that EOD-IFNβ-1b is more effective than OW-IFNβ-1a in reducing ongoing inflammation and demyelination in MS. Logistic regression showed that NAb status did not affect the risk of MRI activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background context: Postoperative paresis, so-called C5 palsy, of the upper extremities is a common complication of cervical surgery. There have been several reports about upper extremity palsy after cervical laminoplasty for patients with cervical myelopathy. However, the possible risk factors remain unclear. Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with the development of upper extremity palsy after expansive open-door laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy. Study design: A retrospective review of medical records. Patient sample: A total of 102 patients (76 men and 26 women) were eligible for analysis in this study. The mean age of the patients was 58.7 years (range 35–81 years). Sixteen patients (13 men and 3 women, average age 62.8 years) with palsy were categorized as Group P, and eighty-six patients (63 men and 23 women, average age 57.8 years) without palsy as Group C. Outcome measures: The demographic data collected from both groups were age, sex, duration of symptoms, disease, and type of surgical procedure. Cervical curvature index, width of the intervertebral foramen (WIF) at C5, anterior protrusion of the superior articular process (APSAP), number of compressed segments, high–signal intensity zone at the level corresponding to C3–C5 (HIZ:C3–C5), and posterior shift of the spinal cord (PSSC) were also evaluated. Methods: Upper extremity palsy was defined as weakness of Grade 4 or less of the key muscles in the upper extremity by manual muscle test without any deterioration of myelopathic symptoms after surgery. Comparisons were made with screen for the parameters with significant differences, and then we further analyzed these parameters by logistic regression analysis (the forward method) to verify the risk factors of the upper extremity palsy. Results: Significant differences in diagnosis, the type of procedure, WIF, APSAP, and HIZ:C3–C5 were observed between the two groups. No statistical difference in PSSC between the groups was noted (2.06 vs. 2.53 mm, p=.247). In logistic regression analysis, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), cervical open-door laminoplasty together with posterior instrumented fusion (CLP+PIF), and WIF were found to be significant risk factors for postoperative upper extremity palsy. Conclusions: Patients with preoperative foraminal stenosis, OPLL, and additional iatrogenic foraminal stenosis because of CLP+PIF were more likely to develop postoperative upper extremity palsy. Attention should be given to the WIF determined on preoperative computed tomography of the C5 root. To prevent iatrogenic foraminal stenosis, appropriate distraction between spine segments should be provided during placement of the rod. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]