RAS mutations drive proliferative chronic myelomonocytic leukemia via a KMT2A-PLK1 axis.

Proliferative chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (pCMML), an aggressive CMML subtype, is associated with dismal outcomes. RAS pathway mutations, mainly NRAS, define the pCMML phenotype as demonstrated by our exome sequencing, progenitor colony assays and a Vav-Cre-Nras mouse model. Further, these mutations promote CMML transformation to acute myeloid leukemia.

Bone marrow dendritic cell aggregates associate with systemic immune dysregulation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Systemic immune microenvironment signatures in CMML indicate an altered T- and natural killer cell balance. CMML bone marrow dendritic cell aggregates associate with disease progression and systemic regulatory T-cell phenotypic switch.

Lights, camera, path splitter: a new approach for truly simultaneous dual optical mapping of the heart with a single camera.

Background: Optical mapping of transmembrane voltage and intracellular calcium is a powerful tool for investigating cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. However, simultaneous dual mapping of two fluorescent probes remains technically challenging. We introduce a novel, easy-to-use approach that requires a path splitter, single camera and excitation light to simultaneously acquire voltage and calcium signals from whole heart preparations, which can be applied to other physiological models - including neurons and isolated cardiomyocytes.

Plasticizer Interaction With the Heart: Chemicals Used in Plastic Medical Devices Can Interfere With Cardiac Electrophysiology.

Background: Phthalates are used as plasticizers in the manufacturing of flexible, plastic medical products. Patients can be subjected to high phthalate exposure through contact with plastic medical devices. We aimed to investigate the cardiac safety and biocompatibility of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), a phthalate with documented exposure in intensive care patients.