Cardiovascular disease burden and risk factors before and after kidney transplant.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of mortality among kidney transplant candidates on the waiting-list and after kidney transplantation. The mechanisms of cardiovascular disease burden after transplant are multifactorial and the risk is largely determined by pre-transplant factors including CV disease and dialysis duration. Current pre-transplant cardiac evaluation protocols have proven to be inconsistent in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcome post-transplant.

Amonafide: a future in treatment of resistant and secondary acute myeloid leukemia?

Development of the novel topoisomerase II inhibitor, amonafide, began almost 40 years ago. The drug was selected for further investigation owing to evidence of marked antineoplastic efficacy in preclinical models of cancer. When its usefulness in the treatment of various solid malignancies proved limited, focus was shifted to establishing its use as an antileukemic agent, specifically against secondary and treatment-associated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Case report: a branchial cleft anomaly presenting as an oropharyngeal mass.

Branchial anomalies are common cervical pathologic entities encountered in the field of otolaryngology and are typical in the pediatric and young adult populations. In most cases, these anomalies present as a cyst, sinus, or fistula in a rather stereotypical fashion. When a branchial anomaly deviates from the classic presentation, an improper diagnosis and inadequate management are more likely to occur, leading to an increased recurrence rate.

Bivalvular Bartonella henselae prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of infection with Bartonella species. Herein, we report a case of Bartonella henselae endocarditis involving prosthetic mitral and aortic valves. The patient had a favorable outcome with combined medical and surgical therapy.