CALR frameshift mutation detection in myeloproliferative neoplasms by microfluidic chip analysis.

Background: CALR mutation analysis is routinely used to diagnose BCR/ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. The 2 most common CALR mutations are a 52-base pair (bp) deletion and a 5-bp insertion, which account for approximately 85% of cases.

Methods: To evaluate our new microfluidic chip assay, we tested CALR mutant and wild-type specimens that were previously analyzed using conventional methods at a reference laboratory.

Patient demographics and psychotropic medication prescribing in Australian general practices: pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in the adult population significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rates of prescribing psychotropic medications in adults during the COVID-19 period have not been well explored. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the association between demographic characteristics and rates of prescribing psychotropic medications to general practice patients during 2018-2022.

Shared mechanisms of enhanced plasmid maintenance and antibiotic tolerance mediated by the VapBC toxin:antitoxin system.

Unlabelled: Toxin:antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in bacteria and were first identified as plasmid addiction systems that kill bacteria lacking a TA-encoding plasmid following cell division. TA systems have also been implicated in bacterial persistence and antibiotic tolerance, which can be precursors of antibiotic resistance. Here, we identified a clinical isolate of (CS14) with a remarkably stable pINV virulence plasmid; pINV is usually frequently lost from , but plasmid loss was not detected from CS14.

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Secreting MS Neuroblastoma.

We present a rare case of a 17-month-old child diagnosed with MS-stage neuroblastoma and associated chronic diarrhea due to elevated vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels. The unusual occurrence of a VIP-secreting tumor in a patient with MS neuroblastoma is a rare combination, not previously reported in the literature. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and excision of the tumor, leading to a significant decline in VIP levels and resolution of symptoms.