European flow cytometry quality assurance guidelines for the diagnosis of primary immune deficiencies and assessment of immune reconstitution following B cell depletion therapies and transplantation.

Over the last 15 years activity of diagnostic flow cytometry services have evolved from monitoring of CD4 T cell subsets in HIV-1 infection to screening for primary and secondary immune deficiencies syndromes and assessment of immune constitution following B cell depleting therapy and transplantation. Changes in laboratory activity in high income countries have been driven by initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-1 regardless of CD4 T cell counts, increasing recognition of primary immune deficiency syndromes and the wider application of B cell depleting therapy and transplantation in clinical practice. Laboratories should use their experience in standardization and quality assurance of CD4 T cell counting in HIV-1 infection to provide immune monitoring services to patients with primary and secondary immune deficiencies.

Wrist arthroplasty for treatment of infected distal radius nonunion using free vascularised proximal fibular bone graft.

Objective: Management of infected distal radius nonunion with a bone defect and radiocarpal and distal radio-ulnar joint arthritis is considered an orthopaedic challenge. Although several methods have been described but none provide a satisfactory solution. Free vascularised fibula bone graft constitutes a good option to eradicate the infection, correct the deformity, compensate for the shortening and maintain motion.

Effect of Obesity on Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy Outcomes in Patients with Early Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Institutional Study.

Background: Obesity and overweight are usually considered as poor prognostic factors in early breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI) is a significant predictive factor for lower pathologic complete response (pCR) rates after neo-adjuvant systemic therapy (NST). The relationship between obesity and breast cancer prognosis varies according to patient and tumor characteristics such as menopausal status and tumor subtype, respectively.

Obinutuzumab with Bendamustine for Treating Follicular Lymphoma Refractory to Rituximab: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal.

As part of its single technology appraisal process, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invited the manufacturer of obinutuzumab (Roche) to submit evidence on its clinical and cost effectiveness when used in combination with bendamustine in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) refractory to rituximab. The Evidence Review Group (ERG), the School of Health and Related Research Technology Appraisal Group at the University of Sheffield, produced a document summarising the key points from the company submission alongside a critical review. Efficacy for progression-free survival (PFS) and safety was positively demonstrated in the pivotal GADOLIN trial, which compared obinutuzumab in combination with bendamustine followed by obinutuzumab maintenance (O-Benda+O) against bendamustine monotherapy.

Expression of cytomegalovirus in glioblastoma multiforme: Myth or reality?

A role for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was proposed more than a decade ago and has since generated a considerable debate as a possible therapeutic target. We investigate the presence of HCMV in the specimens of patients with GBM treated in our centre. This is a retrospective cohort study to investigate the presence of HCMV by routine immunohistochemical stains and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular analysis on formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded tissue of all patients with GBM treated in our hospital in 2009-2013 (5 years).