Screening features to improve the class prediction of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.
After more than three decades of intensive investigations, the underpinning mechanism of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathogenesis still remains largely uncharacterized, and their diagnosis relies heavily on the subjective factors. Recently gene expression profiling technique showed significant improvement in classifying some subtypes of AML, but the model's discriminating power of MDS from AML is still in its infancy. Feature selection plays an important role in the classification of the samples on the basis of the gene expression profiles. Our hypothesis explains that a better choice of features could improve the classification of the diseased and normal stage samples, and the potential application of feature screening to produce feature sets, with better accuracies and lowest number of embedded features. The observed results suggest that feature selection proves to be an essential and affirmative step in the biomedical data mining models based on gene expression profiles.


Controlled, single-step, stratum corneum disruption as a pretreatment for immunization via a patch.
A Skin Prep System (SPS) has been developed to provide a well-tolerated and controlled method of stratum corneum disruption using mild abrasion as part of transcutaneous immunization (TCI). In this study, four groups (n=10) of volunteers were pretreated with the SPS using three different lengths of mild abrasive strips (13 mm, 25 mm and 38 mm), or a handheld applicator. They then received a vaccine patch containing 50 microg of the heat-labile enterotoxin from Escherichia coli (LT) at day 0 and day 21. Subsequent anti-LT IgG antibody responses were dependent on abrasive strip length, with highest immune responses seen after use of the longest strip. The development of a simple, single-use, disposable device that is well-tolerated and allows disruption to be modulated represents an important step forward in physical penetration enhancement for the skin.


Prevalence of mental disorders is higher in patients with multiple sclerosis than in the general population or in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in France.
Mental disorders (MDs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients decreases treatment adherence and quality of life, and increases the risk of disability progression and care consumption. This study was to assess the prevalence of MDs in MS patients compared with healthy controls (HC) of the French general population and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The 2015 prevalence of MDs for MS patients, RA patients and general population was estimated using a random population-based data sample from 'National Inter-Scheme Information System on Health Insurance' in the 2011-2015 period. Two control groups (1:5 ratio for the HC and 1:1 for the RA group) were matched to the MS group for year of birth, gender, area of residence and health insurance scheme. A total of 1145 MS patients were identified (sex ratio of 2.5 (F/M); median age 50 years). The prevalence of MDs was higher in the population of patients with MS (37.3%) than in the French general population (13.6%), and to a lesser extent in the RA group (21.1%) leading to the prevalence ratios of 2.8 (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 2.5-3.0) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.7-2.3), respectively. This study confirmed that MS patients are at a higher risk of MDs than the French general population or RA patients.


[Influenza A: H1N1 post-viral membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis occurring in aggressive systemic mastocytosis: Case report and literature review].
Systemic mastocytosis is characterised by tissular infiltration and a cytokine storm due to mast cells excessive proliferation and activation. Herein, we report an extraordinary case of AH1N1 influenza post-viral glomerulonephritis occurring in the course of an aggressive systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematological neoplasm. Because of a multisystemic involvement including the liver and lungs, we treated mastocytosis with midostaurin (multiple inhibitor of kinase protein), anti H1/H2 blockers and dexamethasone as first line treatment. One month later and despite vaccination, he developed a severe acute lung injury with respiratory distress due to AH1N1 influenza in association with the nephrotic syndrome. Kidney biopsy disclosed a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis that was successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil. Only a few cases of influenza post-viral or post-vaccination glomerulonephritis are documented in the medical literature. This is an exceptional association of uncommon conditions occurring within only a few months in the same patient.