Expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the pathogenesis of endometrial clear cell carcinoma.

Background: The balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins plays a critical role in the regulation of cell death, and a disruption of this delicate balance may eventuate in carcinogenesis through a net reduction in apoptosis. Numerous chemotherapeutic strategies directly or indirectly target apoptotic pathways. However, a thorough assessment of apoptosis-related proteins has not previously been performed in endometrial clear cell carcinoma (CCC).

Esthesioneuroblastoma presenting with orbital signs and ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome.

A 23-year-old woman with known nasal polyps and a recent seizure presented with diplopia, proptosis, extraocular motility deficits, and stigmata of Cushing syndrome. Computed tomography showed a left sinonasal mass extending into the left orbit. Laboratory evaluation revealed refractory hypokalemia and significantly elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Neurosarcoidosis Presenting as Aseptic Meningitis in an Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Recipient.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a presumptive autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas and is usually treated successfully with immunosuppression.

Methods And Results: Here, we describe the case of a 63-year-old male renal transplant recipient with a remote history of pulmonary sarcoidosis on chronic immunosuppression who developed recurrent aseptic meningitis and underwent brain biopsy revealing a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis.

Conclusions: This case highlights the possibility of recurrence of sarcoidosis in the setting of maintenance immunosuppression, the need for heightened awareness of alternative sites of recurrence of autoimmune disease, and future studies to determine the underlying mechanism of recurrence in organ transplant recipients.

Melanoma-specific MHC-II expression represents a tumour-autonomous phenotype and predicts response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Anti-PD-1 therapy yields objective clinical responses in 30-40% of advanced melanoma patients. Since most patients do not respond, predictive biomarkers to guide treatment selection are needed. We hypothesize that MHC-I/II expression is required for tumour antigen presentation and may predict anti-PD-1 therapy response.

ERBB activation modulates sensitivity to MEK1/2 inhibition in a subset of driver-negative melanoma.

Melanomas are characterized by activating "driver" mutations in BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, and GNA11. Resultant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling makes some melanomas susceptible to BRAF (BRAF V600 mutations), MEK1/2 (BRAF V600, L597, fusions; NRAS mutations), or other kinase inhibitors (KIT), respectively. Among driver-negative ("pan-negative") patients, an unexplained heterogeneity of response to MEK1/2 inhibitors has been observed.

Preliminary results from a prospective trial of preoperative combined BRAF and MEK-targeted therapy in advanced BRAF mutation-positive melanoma.

Background: We conducted a prospective trial of BRAF and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) targeted therapy in advanced, operable BRAF mutation-positive melanoma to determine feasibility, tumor response rates, and biomarkers of response and resistance.

Study Design: Thirteen patients with locally or regionally advanced BRAF mutation-positive melanoma received dabrafenib 150 mg po bid for 14 days, followed by dabrafenib plus trametinib 2 mg po daily for 14 days before operation. Biopsies and tumor measurements were obtained at baseline and days 14 and 28.

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia secondary to Plasmodium ovale infection: a case report and review of the literature.

A three year old male from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was admitted to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt with a 10-day history of fever, emesis, and diarrhea. Examination demonstrated scleral icterus, splenomegaly, and anemia.

Carbachol-mediated pigment granule dispersion in retinal pigment epithelium requires Ca2+ and calcineurin.

Background: Inside bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) retinal pigment epithelial cells, pigment granules move in response to extracellular signals. During the process of aggregation, pigment motility is directed toward the cell nucleus; in dispersion, pigment is directed away from the nucleus and into long apical processes. A number of different chemicals have been found to initiate dispersion, and carbachol (an acetylcholine analog) is one example.