The prognostic utility of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in paediatric brain tumours: a retrospective case control study.

Introduction: Paediatric brain tumours (PBT) are the most common cause of death among all childhood cancers. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to prognosticate many adult cancers. There is a paucity of literature on the NLR in PBTs.

Prospective cohort study on the use of low molecular weight heparin calibrated anti-Xa assay for measurement of direct oral Xa inhibitors in ex vivo patient samples.

Drug-specific anti-Xa chromogenic assays are recommended for measurement of direct anti-Xa inhibitor levels but are not routinely available in many institutions. We performed a prospective study to determine: (1) the relationship between low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) calibrated anti-Xa measurements and apixaban or rivaroxaban levels measured using drug-specific anti-Xa assays and, (2) if a LMWH calibrated anti-Xa assay can be used to detect clinically significant apixaban or rivaroxaban levels. Haematology outpatients on rivaroxaban or apixaban for at least 72 h were recruited for this study.

COVID-19 and immunothrombosis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.

The coagulopathy of COVID-19 is characterised by significantly elevated D Dimer and fibrinogen, mild thrombocytopenia and a mildly prolonged PT/APTT. A high incidence of thrombotic complications occurs despite standard thromboprophylaxis. The evidence to date supports immunothrombosis as the underlying mechanism for this coagulopathy which is triggered by a hyperinflammatory response and endotheliopathy.

Incidence of residual perfusion defects by lung scintigraphy in patients treated with rivaroxaban compared with warfarin for acute pulmonary embolism.

Residual perfusion defects (RPD) as detected by lung scintigraphy occur in over 50% of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) treated with vitamin K antagonists but there is lack of data in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants. The aim of this retrospective study was to estimate the incidence of RPD detected by ventilation perfusion (VQ) scan at 3-6 months in patients with first acute symptomatic PE treated with rivaroxaban compared to warfarin. Consecutive eligible patients treated with rivaroxaban as part of a previous study were identified.

Utility of a Nurse-Led Pathway for Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism Discharged on Rivaroxaban: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The highest risk of adverse events for patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) is during the early anticoagulation period. However, no established model exists for early clinical monitoring of patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The authors' aim was to evaluate the utility of a nurse-led pathway to minimize adverse events in acute VTE patients starting on rivaroxaban.

Spontaneous Fractures in the Setting of Extensive Craniocervical Pneumatization: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Cranial pneumatization in humans is normally confined to the paranasal sinuses and the petrous and mastoid parts of the temporal bones.

Case Description: We present a case of left-sided fractures of the occipital condyle and lateral mass of the atlas in the setting of extensive craniocervical pneumatization but in the absence of trauma, with a resulting unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy.

Conclusions: We discussed the possible etiology of this rare disease, its management, and prognosis.

Sensitivity of routine coagulation assays to direct oral anticoagulants: patient samples versus commercial drug-specific calibrators.

Most studies on the sensitivities of coagulation assays to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are based on normal plasma spiked with anticoagulant in the laboratory. Recent studies have shown that reagent sensitivity varies significantly depending on whether spiked or patient samples are used. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivities of routine coagulation assays in patient samples and commercial drug specific calibrators using commonly used activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) reagents (i.

Inflammatory regulation of stem-like cells in melanoma.

The link between inflammation, immunity and cancer is well established. In the last decade, there has been considerable excitement over cancer stem cells, believed to be a subset of tumour cells responsible for their initiation, propagation and resistance to conventional chemoradiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the characterization of cancer stem cells and describe their modulation by inflammation with a focus on melanoma.

Safety of anticoagulation in the treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with haematological malignancies and thrombocytopenia: Report of 5 cases and literature review.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is relatively common among patients with haematological malignancies. Management is challenging because many of these patients are also thrombocytopenic and at increased risk of bleeding. Current recommendations regarding the treatment of VTE in thrombocytopenic patients with haematological malignancies are limited as there only few studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation in this population of patient.

Isolated Cerebellar Spindle Cell Pseudotumor Caused by Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex in a Patient without AIDS.

Background: Spindle cell pseudotumors are formed by histiocytes in response to infection by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) and are rare in patients without AIDS.

Case Description: A 66-year-old man presented with neck pain, ataxia, and a history of sarcoidosis. A cerebellar lesion was identified on magnetic resonance imaging and surgically excised.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): a rare entity.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive haematological malignancy in the elderly, with a high frequency of cutaneous and bone marrow involvement and poor prognosis. We report a case of BPDCN with classic presentation and discuss its treatment and the value of different investigation tools used in diagnosis and response assessment.