Perimenopausal physical activity and dementia risk: A systematic review.

Mixed-gender studies predominate the current literature exploring the interaction between physical activity and dementia risk. Considering that menopause appears to contribute to females' increased risk of cognitive decline when compared to males, further clarity is required on the impact of physical activity in reducing late-life dementia risk specifically in perimenopausal females. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases yielded fourteen studies for review. A significant inverse relationship between perimenopausal leisure time physical activity, or physical fitness, and future all-cause dementia risk was found in most studies exploring this interaction. Higher levels of perimenopausal household physical activity and combined non-leisure time physical activity also displayed a favourable impact in lowering dementia risk. A dose-response effect was demonstrated, with approximately 10 MET-hour/week of leisure time physical activity required for significant dementia risk reduction. Three of four papers exploring causality provided analyses that are proposed to counter the 'reverse causation' argument, suggesting that physical activity may indeed have a protective role in reducing dementia risk post-menopause. The current systematic review provides promising results regarding the impact of pre- and perimenopausal physical activity on reducing late-life dementia risk, suggesting that promoting perimenopausal physical activity may serve as a crucial tool in mitigating the risk of post-menopausal cognitive decline.

Management of brain tumour related epilepsy (BTRE): a narrative review and therapy recommendations.

Brain Tumour Related Epilepsy (BTRE) has a significant impact on Quality of Life with implications for driving, employment, and social activities. Management of BTRE is complex due to the higher incidence of drug resistance and the potential for interaction between anti-cancer therapy and anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, palliative care physicians and clinical nurse specialists treating these patients would benefit from up-to-date clinical guidelines. We aim to review the current literature and to outline specific recommendations for the optimal treatment of BTRE, encompassing both Primary Brain Tumours (PBT) and Brain Metastases (BM). A comprehensive search of the literature since 1995 on BTRE was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMCARE. A broad search strategy was used, and the evidence evaluated and graded based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Seizure frequency varies between 10 and 40% in patients with Brain Metastases (BM) and from 30% (high-grade gliomas) to 90% (low-grade gliomas) in patients with PBT. In patients with BM, risk factors include number of BM and melanoma histology. In patients with PBT, BTRE is more common in patients with lower grade histology, frontal and temporal tumours, presence of an IDH mutation and cortical infiltration. All patients with BTRE should be treated with ASMs. Non-enzyme inducing ASMs are recommended as first line treatment for BTRE, but up to 50% of patients with BTRE due to PBT remain resistant. There is no proven benefit for the use of prophylactic ASMs, although there are no randomised trials testing newer agents. Surgical and oncological treatments i.e. radiotherapy and chemotherapy improve BTRE. Vagus Nerve Stimulation has been used with partial success. The review highlights the relative dearth of high-quality evidence for the management of BTRE and provides a framework for further studies aiming to improve seizure control, quality of life, and indications for ASMs.KEY POINTSOffer levetiracetam or lamotrigine to all patients with primary or metastatic brain tumours who have seizure(s), irrespective of whether these are partial or generalised.ASM withdrawal for patients in remission is not recommended due to high rates of seizure recurrence.ASM prophylaxis is not generally recommended in the management of seizure-naïve patients.Both levetiracetam and lamotrigine are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Myosin 1g as a high-risk biomarker in a pediatric patient with lineage switch from acute lymphoblastic leukemia to myeloid phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Myosin 1g (Myo1g) has recently been identified as a potential diagnostic biomarker in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 1-year-old Mexican female patient. Although initially studied for hepatomegaly, an infectious or genetic etiology was excluded. Liver biopsy showed infiltration by neoplastic B-cell precursors (BCPs), and bone marrow (BM) aspirate showed 14.5% of BCPs. In a joint session of the oncology, hematology, and pathology departments, low-risk (LR) BCP-ALL of hepatic origin with aberrant myeloid markers was diagnosed. Although treatment was initiated, the patient presented early with BM relapse. Modest overexpression of Myo1g was observed from the onset. However, at the end of the steroid window, expression increased significantly and remained elevated during this first relapse to BM. The parents refused hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but she continued chemotherapy. After a second BM relapse at 5 years of age, the phenotype switched to myeloid. Her parents then opted for palliative care, and the patient died two months later at home. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows the potential use of Myo1g in clinical practice as a high-risk indicator. Myo1g monitoring may reveal a high risk and relapse trend, even when typical parameter values are not altered: Myo1g could be used to classify patients from low to high risk from diagnosis, allowing patients to promptly receive the best treatment and potentially modifying prognosis and survival.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Recientemente se ha identificado a miosina 1g (Myo1g) como un potencial biomarcador de diagnóstico en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) infantil. CASO CLÍNICO: Se describe el caso de una paciente mexicana de 1 año de edad. Aunque inicialmente se estudió por hepatomegalia, se descartó una etiología infecciosa o genética. La biopsia hepática mostró infiltración por precursores de células B neoplásicas (PCB) y un aspirado de médula ósea (MO) mostró 14.5% de PCB. En una sesión conjunta de los departamentos de oncología, hematología y patología, se diagnosticó PCB-LLA de bajo riesgo de origen hepático con marcadores mieloides aberrantes. Aunque se inició tratamiento, la paciente presentó tempranamente recaída de MO. Se observó una modesta sobreexpresión de Myo1g. Sin embargo, al final de la ventana de esteroides, la expresión aumentó considerablemente y permaneció elevada durante esta primera recaída a MO. El trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas fue rechazado por los padres, pero se continuó con la quimioterapia. Tras una segunda recaída de MO a los 5 años, el fenotipo cambió a mieloide. Sus padres optaron entonces por cuidados paliativos y la paciente falleció dos meses después en su domicilio. CONCLUSIONES: Este caso muestra el potencial uso de Myo1g como indicador de alto riesgo en la práctica clínica. El seguimiento de Myo1g puede revelar una tendencia de alto riesgo y recaídas, incluso cuando los valores de los parámetros rutinarios son aparentemente normales; Myo1g podría utilizarse para clasificar a los pacientes de bajo a alto riesgo desde el diagnóstico, lo que permitiría que los pacientes reciban el mejor tratamiento de manera oportuna, modificando potencialmente el pronóstico y la supervivencia.

Bilateral osteochondral defects of the patellae in an 11-year-old girl.

Osteochondral defect or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee usually affects young, active populations. It is a challenging diagnosis as patients typically present with poorly localised activity-related pain, which is non-specific and covers many differentials. We present an active 11-year-old girl with bilateral osteochondral defects of the patellae: a rare clinical disorder which was affecting her sporting activities. She had a 12-month history of bilateral anterior knee pain before the diagnosis was achieved with appropriate imaging. Her pain significantly improved with activity modification and physiotherapy. Follow-up will require outpatient clinic assessment and imaging to determine if non-operative management continues to be successful or surgery may be required. This case report emphasises the importance of appropriate high index of suspicion when managing patients with non-specific knee pain. It also demonstrates the importance of judicious use of imaging to avoid a missed or delayed diagnosis.

Myosin 1g as a high-risk biomarker in a pediatric patient with lineage switch from acute lymphoblastic leukemia to myeloid phenotype / Miosina 1g como un marcador de alto riesgo en una paciente pediátrica con cambio de linaje de leucemia linfoblástica aguda a fenotipo mieloide

Abstract Background: Myosin 1g (Myo1g) has recently been identified as a potential diagnostic biomarker in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Case report: We describe the case of a 1-year-old Mexican female patient. Although initially studied for hepatomegaly, an infectious or genetic etiology was excluded. Liver biopsy showed infiltration by neoplastic B-cell precursors (BCPs), and bone marrow (BM) aspirate showed 14.5% of BCPs. In a joint session of the oncology, hematology, and pathology departments, low-risk (LR) BCP-ALL of hepatic origin with aberrant myeloid markers was diagnosed. Although treatment was initiated, the patient presented early with BM relapse. Modest overexpression of Myo1g was observed from the onset. However, at the end of the steroid window, expression increased significantly and remained elevated during this first relapse to BM. The parents refused hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but she continued chemotherapy. After a second BM relapse at 5 years of age, the phenotype switched to myeloid. Her parents then opted for palliative care, and the patient died two months later at home. Conclusions: This case shows the potential use of Myo1g in clinical practice as a high-risk indicator. Myo1g monitoring may reveal a high risk and relapse trend, even when typical parameter values are not altered: Myo1g could be used to classify patients from low to high risk from diagnosis, allowing patients to promptly receive the best treatment and potentially modifying prognosis and survival.

Resumen Introducción: Recientemente se ha identificado a miosina 1g (Myo1g) como un potencial biomarcador de diagnóstico en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) infantil. Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de una paciente mexicana de 1 año de edad. Aunque inicialmente se estudió por hepatomegalia, se descartó una etiología infecciosa o genética. La biopsia hepática mostró infiltración por precursores de células B neoplásicas (PCB) y un aspirado de médula ósea (MO) mostró 14.5% de PCB. En una sesión conjunta de los departamentos de oncología, hematología y patología, se diagnosticó PCB-LLA de bajo riesgo de origen hepático con marcadores mieloides aberrantes. Aunque se inició tratamiento, la paciente presentó tempranamente recaída de MO. Se observó una modesta sobreexpresión de Myo1g. Sin embargo, al final de la ventana de esteroides, la expresión aumentó considerablemente y permaneció elevada durante esta primera recaída a MO. El trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas fue rechazado por los padres, pero se continuó con la quimioterapia. Tras una segunda recaída de MO a los 5 años, el fenotipo cambió a mieloide. Sus padres optaron entonces por cuidados paliativos y la paciente falleció dos meses después en su domicilio. Conclusiones: Este caso muestra el potencial uso de Myo1g como indicador de alto riesgo en la práctica clínica. El seguimiento de Myo1g puede revelar una tendencia de alto riesgo y recaídas, incluso cuando los valores de los parámetros rutinarios son aparentemente normales; Myo1g podría utilizarse para clasificar a los pacientes de bajo a alto riesgo desde el diagnóstico, lo que permitiría que los pacientes reciban el mejor tratamiento de manera oportuna, modificando potencialmente el pronóstico y la supervivencia.