Large and middle hepatitis B surface antigen: the lower the better?

We read with great interest the article entitled 'Quantification of large and middle proteins of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) as a novel tool for the identification of inactive HBV carriers' by Pfefferkorn et al.1 Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level has been shown to complement HBV DNA level in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with chronic HBV infection.2 3 In Asian patients, mostly genotype B and C infection, with a low viral load (HBV DNA  ≤2000 IU/mL), HBsAg level >1000 IU/mL indicates a higher risk of hepatitis flare, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.2 3 In this paper, the authors confirmed that inactive carriers (IC) with HBV genotype A and D infection had a lower HBsAg level.1 Furthermore, they compared the composition of HBsAg between IC and patients with chronic hepatitis B and found that IC had lower...

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Issue Information

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Real-time Analysis of Transcription Factor Binding, Transcription, Translation, and Turnover to Display Global Events During Cellular Activation

This protocol describes the combinatorial use of ChIP-seq, 4sU-seq, total RNA-seq, and ribosome profiling for cell lines and primary cells. It enables tracking changes in transcription-factor binding, de novo transcription, RNA processing, turnover and translation over time, and displaying the overall course of events in activated and/or rapidly changing cells.

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Focused Ion Beam Fabrication of LiPON-based Solid-state Lithium-ion Nanobatteries for In Situ Testing

A protocol for the fabrication of electrochemically active LiPON-based solid-state lithium-ion nanobatteries using a focused ion beam is presented.

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Treatment of Unruptured, Saccular, Anterior Choroidal Artery Aneurysms with Flow Diversion

Abstract

Background

The region of the brain supplied by the anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) is exquisitely eloquent. Aneurysms arising at or close to the origin of the vessel are not uncommon and damage or occlusion to the vessel can result in devastating consequences. The optimal treatment strategy is yet to be determined.

Objective

We sought to determine the efficacy of flow diversion for the treatment of unruptured AChoA aneurysms.

Method

A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was performed to identify all patients with unruptured aneurysms of the AChoA between March 2009 and May 2017. The fundus size, number and type of flow-diverting stent (FD), complications and follow-up data were recorded.

Results

We identified 30 patients (60% female), average age 52.8 ± 10.8 years (range 27–73), with 30 aneurysms. The aneurysms were generally small with a mean fundus diameter of 3.4 mm (range 1–7 mm). Early angiographic follow-up data were available for all patients at which point 15 aneurysms were completely occluded (50%). Delayed angiographic follow-up was available in 24 patients and occlusion was seen in 21 patients (87.5%). Of the patients one developed transient ischemic symptoms after interruption of the antiplatelet medication and another patient had a small embolic infarct with transient symptoms in the periprocedural period.

Conclusion

Flow diversion can be used to successfully treat aneurysms of the AChoA. The treatment carries a high rate of technical and radiological success with a good safety profile.

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Rituximab as a therapeutic option for patients with advanced melanoma

Abstract

Treatment of metastatic melanoma remains challenging, despite a variety of new and promising immunotherapeutic and targeted approaches to therapy. New treatment options are still needed to improve long-term tumour control. We present a case series of seven patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated individually with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab between July 2014 and July 2015. Two of the patients were treated in an adjuvant setting. All patients had already received a variety of treatments. During an induction phase, the administration of four cycles of weekly rituximab 375 mg/m² body surface area was planned. After imaging, patients with stable disease continued therapy with rituximab 375 mg/m² body surface area every 4 weeks up to a maximum of 24 weeks. Two patients experienced grade 2 infusion reactions during the first infusion. Otherwise, treatment was well tolerated and there were no grade 3 or 4 side effects. Staging after the induction phase showed stable disease in five patients, and two patients had progressive disease. Median progression-free survival was 6.3 months (95% CI 4.97–7.53), median overall survival was 14.7 months (95% CI 4.52–24.94), and one patient was still alive in December 2016. In conclusion, rituximab might be a therapeutic option for metastatic melanoma. However, further studies on rituximab among larger patient cohorts are warranted. Evaluation of therapy in an adjuvant setting or in combination with other systemic treatment might, therefore, be of particular interest.

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Changes in Arachidonic Acid Metabolism During Liver Ischemia Triggers Induction of Inflammatory Injury

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