Integrative prognostic models predict long-term survival after immunochemotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

Chemoimmunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) can induce long-term remissions in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Treatment efficacy with Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors was found similar to FCR in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with a mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) gene. In order to identify patients who specifically benefit from FCR, we developed integrative models including established prognostic parameters and gene expression profiling (GEP).

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome type 1 caused by biallelic ANAPC1 gene mutations.

Background: Rare syndromic skin disorders may represent a diagnostic challenge.

Aims: We report a unique case associating cutaneous manifestations and developmental delay.

Materials & Methods: The affected 14 months old boy had poikiloderma, facial dysmorphism with deep-set eyes, atrichia, as well as nail dysplasia and non-descended testes.

SIX2 gene haploinsufficiency leads to a recognizable phenotype with ptosis, frontonasal dysplasia, and conductive hearing loss.

Heterozygous microdeletions of chromosome 2p21 encompassing only the SIX2 gene have been described in two families to date. The clinical phenotype comprised autosomal-dominant inherited frontonasal dysplasia with ptosis in one family. In the second family, conductive hearing loss was the major clinical feature described; however, the affected persons also had ptosis.

Targeting inhibitor of apoptosis proteins by Smac mimetic elicits cell death in poor prognostic subgroups of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are highly expressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and contribute to evasion of cell death and poor therapeutic response. Here, we report that Smac mimetic BV6 dose-dependently induces cell death in 28 of 51 (54%) investigated CLL samples, while B-cells from healthy donors are largely unaffected. Importantly, BV6 is significantly more effective in prognostic unfavorable cases with, e.

High-resolution genomic profiling of chronic lymphocytic leukemia reveals new recurrent genomic alterations.

To identify genomic alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we performed single-nucleotide polymorphism-array analysis using Affymetrix Version 6.0 on 353 samples from untreated patients entered in the CLL8 treatment trial. Based on paired-sample analysis (n = 144), a mean of 1.

Laparoscopically assisted total daVinci aorto bifemoral graft bypass with a unique system of graft delivery.

We report the first known example of a fully robotic aortobifemoral graft and aortic endarterectomy using the daVinci Surgical System and a unique method for graft delivery using the Endo-Vein Harvester.

Computer-assisted instrumentation during endoscopic transaxillary first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome: a safe alternate approach.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this article is to discuss the feasibility of using computer-enhanced instrumentation to improve visualization and therefore patient safety during transaxillary first rib resection. From November 1998 to July 2005, 105 patients who had failed conservative treatment underwent 131 procedures for thoracic outlet decompression. Eighty-nine endoscopic transaxillary first rib resections were completed using Aesop/Hermes integrated voice control instrumentation (Computer Motion, Goleta, CA).