High-throughput oncogene mutation profiling shows demographic differences in BRAF mutation rates among melanoma patients.

Because of advances in targeted therapies, the clinical evaluation of cutaneous melanoma is increasingly based on a combination of traditional histopathology and molecular pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to expand our knowledge of the molecular events that accompany the development and progression of melanoma to optimize clinical management. The central objective of this study was to increase our knowledge of the mutational events that complement melanoma progression.

A standardized, bundled approach to providing geriatric-focused acute care.

Objectives: To determine whether a bundled intervention can increase detection of delirium and facilitate safer use of high-risk medications.

Design: Pre-post interventional trial.

Setting: Large academic medical center.

Preliminary data from an advanced dementia consult service: integrating research, education, and clinical expertise.

Hospitalized individuals with advanced dementia often receive care that is of limited clinical benefit and inconsistent with preferences. An advanced dementia consultation service was designed, and a pre and post pilot study was conducted in a Boston hospital to evaluate it. Geriatricians and a palliative care nurse practitioner conducted consultations, which consisted of structured consultation, counseling and provision of an information booklet to the family, and postdischarge follow-up with the family and primary care providers.

Increased levels of PD-1 expression on CD8 T cells in patients post-renal transplant irrespective of chronic high EBV viral load.

Studies have identified solid organ transplant recipients who remain asymptomatic despite maintaining CHL. Factors which determine the CHL state remain poorly understood but are likely to involve immunological control of the viral infection. We monitored expression of PD-1, a marker of T-cell exhaustion and viral persistence, on CD8 T cells in patients who resolved EBV infection as determined by undetectable EBV DNA (REI) and CHL patients.

The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices consensus recommendations for the evaluation and management of dementia in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are increasingly presenting to their health care professionals with concerns related to growing older. One particularly challenging clinical question is related to the evaluation of suspected cognitive decline or dementia in older adults with I/DD, a question that most physicians feel ill-prepared to answer. The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices was convened to help formally address this topic, which remains largely underrepresented in the medical literature.

Epstein-barr virus gene expression, human leukocyte antigen alleles and chronic high viral loads in pediatric renal transplant patients.

Background: Studies have identified solid organ transplant recipients who remain asymptomatic despite maintaining chronic high Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral loads. We examined clinical manifestations, EBV gene expression, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and specific T-cell responses to EBV infection in pediatric renal transplant patients.

Methods: Seventeen pediatric renal transplant patients were categorized according to EBV viral load into those with chronic high viral loads (CHL) and recipients who resolve EBV infection (REI).

First report of sudden death due to myocarditis caused by adenovirus serotype 3.

Myocarditis is a rare cause of sudden death in childhood. We describe the sudden death of a child from viral myocarditis, which we demonstrate was likely caused by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to a disseminated adenovirus serotype 3 infection originating in the tonsil.

Kinetics of host immune responses and cytomegalovirus resistance in a liver transplant patient.

Among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, donor-seropositive/recipient-seronegative (D+/R-) cytomegalovirus (CMV) status is associated with the highest risk of ganciclovir-resistant CMV disease, which has been reported for patients receiving oral ganciclovir but not valganciclovir prophylaxis. We report a case of CMV breakthrough infection in a D+/R- liver transplant patient while he was receiving oral valganciclovir. Forty samples collected over 6 months were analyzed for the CMV viral load, lymphocyte counts, cytokine levels, and lymphocyte differentiation status.

Stimulation of endothelial IL-8 (eIL-8) production and apoptosis by phenolic metabolites of benzene in HL-60 cells and human bone marrow endothelial cells.

Benzene toxicity is considered to be elicited by its metabolites and phenolic metabolites of benzene are known to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells in culture and in human bone marrow progenitor cells. One potential mechanism of apoptosis induced by benzene metabolites that has not been examined is the production of pro-apoptotic cytokines such as endothelial IL-8 from endothelial cells in bone marrow stroma. In this study, we utilized HL-60 cells which are known to produce the endothelial form of IL-8 (elL-8) and human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMEC) as model systems.

Stimulation of endothelial IL-8 (eIL-8) production and apoptosis by phenolic metabolites of benzene in HL-60 cells and human bone marrow endothelial cells.

Benzene toxicity is considered to be elicited by its metabolites and phenolic metabolites of benzene are known to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells in culture and in human bone marrow progenitor cells. One potential mechanism of apoptosis induced by benzene metabolites that has not been examined is the production of pro-apoptotic cytokines such as endothelial IL-8 from endothelial cells in bone marrow stroma. In this study, we utilized HL-60 cells which are known to produce the endothelial form of IL-8 (eIL-8) and human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMEC) as model systems.

Differential induction of mafF, mafG and mafK expression by electrophile-response-element activators.

The three small Maf proteins, MafF, MafG and MafK, have been implicated in a number of physiological processes, including development, differentiation, haematopoiesis and stress response. Here we report the constitutive expression of mafF, mafG and mafK in six human cell lines derived from various tissues (HepG2, IMR-32, K-562, HEK-293, RD and A549). The expression patterns of mafF, mafG and mafK varied widely among cell lines.