A three-component biomarker panel for prediction of dengue hemorrhagic fever

Dengue virus infections are a major cause of morbidity in tropical countries. Early detection of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) may help identify individuals that would benefit from intensive therapy. Predictive modeling was performed using 11 laboratory values of 51 individuals (38 DF and 13 DHF) obtained on initial presentation using logistic regression. We produced a robust model with an area under the curve of 0.9615 that retained IL-10 levels, platelets, and lymphocytes as the major predictive features. A classification and regression tree was developed on these features that were 86% accurate on cross-validation. The IL-10 levels and platelet counts were also identified as the most informative features associated with DHF using a Random Forest classifier. In the presence of polymerase chain reaction-proven acute dengue infections, we suggest a complete blood count and rapid measurement of IL-10 can assist in the triage of potential DHF cases for close follow-up or clinical intervention improving clinical outcome.     

Distinct classes of c-Kit-activating mutations differ in their ability to promote RUNX1-ETO-associated acute myeloid leukemia

The t(8;21) RUNX1-ETO translocation is one of the most frequent cytogenetic abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In RUNX1-ETO(+) patient samples, differing classes of activating c-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase mutations have been observed. The most common (12%-48%) involves mutations, such as D816V, which occur in the tyrosine kinase domain, whereas another involves mutations within exon 8 in a region mediating receptor dimerization (2%-13% of cases). To test whether distinct subtypes of activating c-KIT mutations differ in their leukemogenic potential in association with RUNX1-ETO, we used a retroviral transduction/transplantation model to coexpress RUNX1-ETO with either c-Kit(D814V) or c-Kit(T417IΔ418-419) in murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells used to reconstitute lethally irradiated mice. Analysis of reconstituted animals showed that RUNX1-ETO;c-Kit(D814V) coexpression resulted in 3 nonoverlapping phenotypes. In 45% of animals, a transplantable AML of relatively short latency and frequent granulocytic sarcoma was noted. Other mice exhibited a rapidly fatal myeloproliferative phenotype (35%) or a lethal, short-latency pre-B-cell leukemia (20%). In contrast, RUNX1-ETO;c-Kit(T417IΔ418-419) coexpression promoted exclusively AML in a fraction (51%) of reconstituted mice. These observations indicate that c-Kit(D814V) promotes a more varied and aggressive leukemic phenotype than c-Kit(T417IΔ418-419), which may be the result of differing potencies of the activating c-Kit alleles.     

Therapeutic Liposomal Dry Powder Inhalation Aerosols for Targeted Lung Delivery

Therapeutic liposomal powders (i.e., lipospheres and proliposomes) for dry powder inhalation aerosol delivery, formulated with phospholipids similar to endogenous lung surfactant, offer unique opportunities in pulmonary nanomedicine while offering controlled release and enhanced stability. Many pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer, tuberculosis (TB), cystic fibrosis (CF), bacterial and fungal lung infections, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could greatly benefit from this type of pulmonary nanomedicine approach that can be delivered in a targeted manner by dry powder inhalers (DPIs). These delivery systems may require smaller doses for efficacy, exhibit reduced toxicity, fewer side effects, controlled drug release over a prolonged time period, and increased formulation stability as inhaled powders. This state-of-the-art review presents these novel aspects in depth.