Partially reversible bortezomib-induced cardiotoxicity: an unusual cause of acute cardiomyopathy.

Chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity can present as a spectrum from arrhythmia to acute congestive heart failure. Unlike anthracyclines, proteasome inhibitors - for example, bortezomib - are not notorious for causing cardiotoxicity in absence of pre-existing cardiac dysfunction or without concomitant use of other cardiotoxic agents. We describe a 66-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease who developed acute dyspnea hours after a third treatment with bortezomib for IgG kappa myeloma.

Comparison of p63 and p40 (ΔNp63) as Basal, Squamoid, and Myoepithelial Markers in Salivary Gland Tumors.

p40 is selective for ΔNp63 isoforms and appears to be more specific for squamous differentiation than p63. Its performance as a basal/myoepithelial marker in salivary gland tumors has only rarely been addressed in the literature. We thus compared the performance of p63 and p40 (ΔNp63) immunohistochemical stain as markers of basal, squamoid, and myoepithelial differentiation in 105 salivary gland tumors selected from our archives.

SAGES expert Delphi consensus: critical factors for safe surgical practice in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Although it has been 25 years since the introduction of laparoscopy to cholecystectomy, outcomes remain largely unchanged, with rates of bile duct injury higher in the modern age than in the era of open surgery. The SAGES Safe Cholecystectomy Task Force (SCTF) initiative seeks to encourage a culture of safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and reduce biliary injury. An expert consensus study was conducted to identify interventions thought to be most effective in pursuit of this goal.

A survey of primary care resident attitudes toward continuity clinic patient handover.

Background: Transfer of clinic patients from graduating residents to interns or junior residents occurs every year, affecting large numbers of patients. Breaches in care continuity may occur, with potential for risk to patient safety. Several guidelines have been developed for implementing standardized inpatient sign-outs, but no specific guidelines exist for outpatient handover.

Extending the 5Cs: the health plan tobacco cessation index.

Objectives: To describe the smoking cessation services covered by licensed health plans in New York, and to evaluate plan characteristics that could account for variation in services.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional survey.

Methods: All 44 unique plans in the 2005 Managed Care Plan Directory of the New York State Department of Health were invited to participate.

Occurrence, predictors, and outcomes of post-percutaneous coronary intervention thrombocytopenia in an unselected population.

Objectives: We sought to determine the occurrence, predictors, and prognostic impact of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (post-PCI) thrombocytopenia on an unselected real-world patient population.

Background: Thrombocytopenia after PCI has been shown to portend worse prognosis in clinical trials. The significance of post-PCI thrombocytopenia has not previously been examined outside the clinical trial setting.