A new synonym of Rhododendronleishanicum (subg. Hymenanthes) from China (Ericaceae).

Based on a critical examination of type specimens, images of living plants, and the literature has shown Rhododendronoligocarpum to be conspecific with R.leishanicum. Although slight variations in corolla colour exist amongst different populations of R.oligocarpum, it does not serve as a key distinguishing trait. Therefore, we reduced R.oligocarpum to a synonym of R.leishanicum, and recommend placing it in Subsection Maculifera.

Microneurosurgery and subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery for functioning pituitary macroadenomas or giant adenomas: One institution's experience.

OBJECTIVE: Functioning pituitary macroadenoma and giant adenoma have large growth volumes and endocrinological abnormalities, requiring proper medical intervention. In this retrospective study, microneurosurgery and subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is assessed for efficacy and safety for the treatment of functioning pituitary macroadenoma and giant adenoma. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2011, 59 patients with functioning pituitary macroadenoma (n=38) or giant adenoma (n=21) received microneurosurgical resection, and after three months, GKRS with average maximum radiation dose ∼42Gy (range 30-66.7Gy). The median follow-up time was 54.3 months (range 36-85 months). RESULTS: The combined treatment controlled tumor growth in 81.4% (48/59) of patients, and improved the endocrinological status in 64.4% (38/59). Complications included hypopituitarism and visual deterioration (22 and 7 patients, respectively). Large tumor size at presentation was a risk factor for tumor recurrence, but not age, gender, invasion, radiosurgical dose, pituitary hormone status or follow-up period. Better outcomes were achieved by patients with macroadenoma than giant adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Combined microneurosurgery and GKRS are safe and effective for functioning pituitary macroadenomas or giant adenomas. Tumor control and endocrinological improvement were satisfactory, with minimal complications.

Bevacizumab treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

High-grade glioma is a richly neovascularized brain solid tumor with a poor prognosis. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis, which has shown clinical efficacy in recurrent glioblastoma. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies that compared bevacizumab plus combined radiotherapy/temozolomide (RT/TMZ) with RT/TMZ alone in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). Of all the studies identified, three comparative trials were included in the systematic review. All three enrolling trials, including a total of 1,738 patients, investigated bevacizumab or placebo plus combined RT/TMZ treatment in glioblastoma. The result showed no increased overall survival (OS) (pooled hazard ratio (HR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.84-1.29; P=0.71) but increased progression-free survival (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.88; P=0.0009). However, the two randomized double-blind placebo-control trials exemplified a high rate of adverse events of the bevacizumab compared with the placebo group while discrepant points were noted in term of quality-of-life outcome. Additionally, bevacizumab plus RT/TMZ did not increase the 6-month survival rate [odd ratios (ORs), 0.65; 95% CI, 0.37-1.13; P=0.13). Overall, addition of bevacizumab to radiotherapy-temozolomide treatment may be an effective therapy strategy for improving progression-free survival. OS and the 6-month survival rate was not prolonged and there was questionable efficacy of bevacizumab on the quality-of-life of glioblastoma patients, thus further clinical trials should be performed.