Hydralazine use can be associated with IgM-dominated immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.

Context: IgM-dominant immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (IgM-dominant ICMGN) is a rare renal entity, characterized by a membranoproliferative pattern by light microscopy, dominant IgM staining by immunofluorescent staining, and subendothelial deposits by electron microscopy. This study was to investigate if some of IgM-ICMGN were associated with autoimmune disorders induced by hydralazine.

Design: Seven IgM-dominant ICMGN cases were identified over 8 years.

The Role of Bone Marrow Biopsy Evaluation in the Workup for Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance: A Diagnosis of Exclusion.

Context.—: Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a relatively new concept for patients with renal monoclonal protein deposition (RMPD) (except monoclonal cast nephropathy) and has been used as a reason for nephrologists to obtain a bone marrow biopsy (BMB). It takes a team of pathologists and clinicians to determine when RMPD at our institution can be defined as MGRS.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in the Pediatric Spine Requiring Stabilization: A Literature Review and Report of 3 Cases.

Case: This report describes 3 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the cervical and thoracic spine in patients aged 4 to 10 years. Each patient had painful lytic spinal lesions with vertebral body collapse and posterior involvement suggesting instability requiring corpectomy, grafting, and fusion. All 3 patients were doing well at their most recent follow-up without pain or recurrence.

Differences in activation of intracellular signaling in primary human retinal endothelial cells between isoforms of VEGFA 165.

Purpose: There are reports that a b-isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor-A 165 (VEGFAb) is predominant in normal human vitreous, switching to the a-isoform (VEGFAa) in the vitreous of some diseased eyes. Although these isoforms appear to have a different ability to activate the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in various endothelial cells, the nature of their ability to activate intracellular signaling pathways is not fully characterized, especially in retinal endothelial cells. We determined their activation potential for two key intracellular signaling pathways (MAPK, AKT) over complete dose-response curves and compared potential effects on the expression of several VEGFA target genes in primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs).

Use of Topical Insulin to Treat Refractory Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcers.

Purpose: To report the clinical course of 6 patients with refractory neurotrophic corneal ulcers that were treated with topical insulin drops.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who had neurotrophic corneal ulcers or epithelial defects refractory to standard medical and surgical treatment. Insulin drops, prepared by mixing regular insulin in artificial tears with a polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol base at a concentration of 1 unit per milliliter, were prescribed 2 to 3 times daily.

Different effects of valproic acid on photoreceptor loss in Rd1 and Rd10 retinal degeneration mice.

Purpose: The histone-deacetylase inhibitor activity of valproic acid (VPA) was discovered after VPA's adoption as an anticonvulsant. This generated speculation for VPA's potential to increase the expression of neuroprotective genes. Clinical trials for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are currently active, testing VPA's potential to reduce photoreceptor loss; however, we lack information regarding the effects of VPA on available mammalian models of retinal degeneration, nor do we know if retinal gene expression is perturbed by VPA in a predictable way.