Prognostic significance of genetic biomarkers in isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type lower-grade glioma: the need to further stratify this tumor entity - a meta-analysis.

The clinical outcomes of isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type (IDH-wt) lower-grade glioma (LGG) have been the subject of debate for some time. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the prognostic values of several known genetic markers (e.g. TERT promoter mutation, H3F3A mutation, CDKN2A loss) in this tumor group. Four electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Virtual Health Library, were searched for relevant articles. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for overall survival were calculated using a random-effect model weighted by an inverse variance method. A total of 11 studies were finally selected from 2274 articles for meta-analyses. Several genetic alterations were demonstrated to have a negative impact on prognosis of IDH-wt LGGs, specifically TERT promoter mutation (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.42-2.70), H3F3A mutation (HR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.86-5.55) and EGFR amplification (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.02-2.74). However, CDKN loss, ATRX mutation and coexisting gain of chromosome 7/loss of chromosome 10 showed no clinical significance in this glioma entity. Our study results demonstrated that IDH-wt LGGs are heterogeneous in clinical outcome and not all tumors have a poor prognosis. The presence of TERT promoter mutation, H3F3A mutation and EGFR amplification showed negative prognostic impacts in this tumor entity. These genetic events can be used to better stratify patient outcomes.

Interactive effects of compost and pre-planting soil moisture on plant biomass, nutrition and formation of mycorrhizas: a context dependent response.

We aimed to investigate the combined impacts of compost addition and pre-planting soil moisture conditions, on plant-available nutrients, and subsequent impacts on the biomass, nutrition and formation of AM by two important crop species. A glasshouse study was undertaken in which wheat and tomato plants were grown in compost amended or un-amended soil that was subjected to different moisture regimes prior to planting. The availability of P was strongly influenced by compost addition, but not pre-planting moisture conditions. In contrast, mineral N pools were affected by compost addition and pre-planting soil moisture conditions in complex ways. These changes in nutrient availability affected plant biomass, nutrient uptake and formation of AM. In general, plant performance was better where pre-planting soil moisture conditions were wet or dry, and worse where they involved a wet/dry cycle, and mycorrhizal colonisation was lower where compost was added to the soil. That pre-planting moisture conditions affect the biomass of subsequent crops is an important finding, the potential implications of which are considered here.

Blood naltrexone levels over time following naltrexone implant.

AIMS: Oral naltrexone is used in the management of both heroin and alcohol dependence. However, poor compliance has limited its clinical utility. The study's objective was to determine the period of therapeutic coverage (>or=2 ng/ml) provided by a 3.3 g naltrexone subcutaneous implant compared with existing data on 1.1 g and 2.2 g implants. METHODS: We assessed free blood naltrexone levels following treatment with a 3.3 g naltrexone implant in heroin dependent patients (n=50) in Perth, Western Australia. Results were compared with previously collated data for patients treated with either a 1.1 g (n=10) or 2.2 g (n=24) implant. RESULTS: Following 3.3 g naltrexone implant treatment, free blood naltrexone levels remained above 2 ng/ml for 145 days (95% CI 125-167). In comparison, 1.1 g or 2.2 g implant treatment resulted in 95 days (95% CI 69-121) and 136 days (95% CI 114-158) coverage, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 3.3 g implant provides longer therapeutic coverage than the 1.1 g implant but not significantly longer than the 2.2 g implant.