MSIV Schedule

MLC III: Current Biomedical Research (2007-2008)

The main focus for each session is a report of clinical or translational research, oftentimes accompanied by a perspective piece (editorial, mini-review) and a report of some concrete event (patient case or news article) that makes the reason for studying the subject more obvious or compelling.

July	17	Topic: EPO; Discussants: Sara Grethlein, MD and Steve Knohl, MD Study: Correction of Anemia with Epoetin Alfa in Chronic Kidney Disease [NEJM 355(20): 2085, 2006] Case: Epoetin-induced pure red cell aplasia successfully treated with androgens [J Nephrol 19: 220, 2006] Editorial: Correction of Anemia - Payoffs and Problems [NEJM 355(20): 2144, 2006] News Release: Anemia Drugs Under Review by Congress [The New York Times, March 22, 2007]
July	24	Topic: Kinase Inhibitors in CML; Discussant: Sara Grethlein, MD Study: Dasatinib in imatinib-resistant Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias [NEJM 354(24): 2531, 2006] Case: A mutation conferring resistance to imatinib at the time of diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia [NEJM 348(22): 2265, 2003] Editorial: Circumventing Resistance to Kinase-Inhibitor Therapy [NEJM 354(24): 2594, 2006]
July	31	Topic: Schizophrenia ; Discussant: Tom Schwartz, MD Study: Effectiveness of Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia [NEJM 353(12): 1209, 2005] Case: Integrating Jungian and Self-Psychological Perspectives Within Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for a Young Man With a Fixed Religious Delusion [Clinical Case Studies, 6(3): 263, 2007] Correspondence: Antipsychotic Drugs and Schizophrenia [NEJM 354(3): 298, 2006] Editorial: The Choice of Antipsychotic Drugs for Schizophrenia [NEJM 353(12): 1286, 2005]
Aug	7	Topic: Neuropsychiatry and the Frontal Lobe; Discussants: Tom Schwartz, MD and Mike Vertino, MD Research: Huntington’s Disease - Making Connections [NEJM 356(5): 518, 2007] Case: Forgotten Frontal Lobe Syndrome or “Executive Dysfunction Syndrome” [Psychosomatics 45(3): 247, 2004] Commentary: Lessons from Neuropsychiatry [J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 18(4): 445, 2006]
Aug	14	Topic: Sepsis and the Cytokine Storm; Discussant: Tim Endy, MD, MPH Study: Cytokine Storm in a Phase 1 Trial of the Anti-CD28 Monoclonal Antibody TGN1412 [NEJM 355(10): 1018, 2006] Editorial: Volunteers at Risk [NEJM 355(10): 1060, 2006] Correspondence: Cytokine Storm and an Anti-CD28 Monoclonal Antibody [NEJM355:2591, 2006] Perspective: T-Cell Costimulation — Biology, Therapeutic Potential, and Challenges [NEJM 355(10): 973, 2006] Correspondence: T-Cell Costimulation [NEJM 355: 3594, 2006]
Aug	21	Topic: Membranous Nephropathy Discussant: Paul Shanley, MD Case: Antenatal membranous glomerulonephritis due to anti-neutral endopeptidase antibodies [NEJM 346(26): 2053, 2002] Editorial: Molecular dissection of target antigens and nephritogenic antibodies in membranous nephropathy: towards epitope-driven therapies [J Am Soc Nephrol 17: 1772, 2006] Commentary: Membranous nephropathy: when and how to treat [Kidney Int 71: 841, 2007] Perspective: Membranous nephropathy: a long road but well traveled [J Am Soc Nephrol 16: 1184, 2005]
Sept	4	Topic: Atrial Fibrillation; Discussant: Jose Jalife, MD Study: Circumferential Pulmonary-Vein Ablation for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation [NEJM 354(9): 934, 2006] Perspective: Rotors and spiral waves in atrial fibrillation [J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 14: 776, 2003] Editorial: Catheter Ablation of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation- The Gap between Promise and Practice [NEJM 354(9): 967, 2006] Editorial: Reentry and atrial fibrillation [Heart Rhythm 4: S13-S16, 2007]
Sept	11	Topic: September 11th Syndromes; Discussant: Sara Grethlein, MD Study: World Trade Center "Sarcoid-Like" Granulomatous Pulmonary Disease in New York City Fire Department Rescue Workers [Chest 131: 1414, 2007] Perspective: The Legacy of World Trade Center Dust [NEJM 356(22): 2233, 2007] News Article: Lawyer killed by lung disease added to 9/11 toll [CNN, May 24, 2007]
Sept	18	Topic: Vasopressin Antagonists in Hyponatremia; Discussant: Sri Narsipur, MD Trial: Tolvaptan, a Selective Oral Vasopressin V2-Receptor Antagonist, for Hyponatremia [NEJM 355(20): 2099, 2006] Perspective: Vasopressin Antagonists - Progress and Promise [NEJM 355(20): 2146, 2006] Case: Mini-cases
Sept	25	Topic: Controversies in Spinal Surgery; Discussant: James Holsapple, MD Perspective: Back Surgery - Who Needs It? [NEJM 356(22): 2239, 2007] Trial: Surgical versus Nonsurgical Treatment for Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis [NEJM 356(22): 2257, 2007] Editorial: Spinal-Fusion Surgery – The Case for Restraint [NEJM 350(7): 722, 2004] News Article: Surgery Better Option for Common Back Conditions [Medical News Today, 5/31/07]
Oct	2	Topic: End-Stage Heart Failure; Discussant: Nancy Nussmeier, MD Study: Left Ventricular Assist Device and Drug Therapy for the Reversal of Heart Failure [NEJM 355(18): 1873, 2006] Editorial: When the Failing, End-Stage Heart Is Not End-Stage [NEJM 355(18): 1922, 2006]
Oct	9	Topic: DKA in the Pediatric Population; Discussant: Thomas Welch, MD Study: Preventing a Drop in Effective Plasma Osmolality to Minimize the Likelihood of Cerebral Edema During Treatment of Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis [J Pediatr 150: 467, 2007] Editorial: Choosing the Right Fluid and Electrolytes Prescription in Diabetic Ketoacidosis [J Pediatr 150: 455, 2007]
Oct	16	Topic: Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction; Discussant: John Fortune, MD Study: Neostigmine for the Treatment of Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction [NEJM 341(3): 137: 1999] Case #1: Colonic ileus [NEJM 354(7): e6, 2006] Case #2: Post-cesarean section acute colonic pseudo-obstruction with spontaneous perforation [Int J Gynaecol Obstet 89:144, 2005] Editorial: Management of Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction [NEJM 341: 192, 1999]
Oct	23	Topic: Smoking Cessation; Discussant: James Holsapple, MD Study: Damage to the Insula Disrupts Addiction to Cigarette Smoking [Science 315: 531, 2007] Optional: Supplement to [Science 315: 531, 2007]
Oct	30	Topic: Bariatric Surgery; Discussant: Paul Cunningham, MD Case: Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity [NEJM 356(21): 2176, 2007] Editorial: The Missing Link [NEJM 357(8): 818, 2007] Optional Case #2: Case 31-2006 [NEJM 355: 1593, 2006]
Nov	6	Topic: Antimicrobial Resistance ; Discussant: Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH Study: Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the United States [JAMA 298(15): 1763, 2007] Editorial: Antimicrobial Resistance - It’s Not Just for Hospitals [JAMA 298(15): 1803, 2007]
Nov	13	Topic: Syndrome of Inappropriate Diuresis; Discussant: Sri Narsipur, MD and Patricia Kane, PhD Research: Nephrogenic Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis [NEJM 352(18): 1884, 2005] Case: The Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis [NEJM 356(20): 2064, 2007] Editorial: Hyperactive Vasopressin Receptors and Disturbed Water Homeostasis [NEJM 352(18): 1847, 2005]
Nov	27	Topic: Stem Cells; Discussant: Tom Poole, PhD and David Turner, PhD Perspective: Pluripotency redux – advances in stem cell research [NEJM 375(15): 1469, 2007] Commentary: New advances in iPS cell research do not obviate the need for human embryonic stem cells [Cell Stem Cell 1: 367, 2007] News Release: Researchers turn skin cells into stem cells [ScienceNOW, November 20, 2007] News Release: Stem cells show early promise for heart problems [Washington Post, November 7, 2007] Research: Generation of germline-competent induced pluripotent stem cells [Nature 448: 313, 2007]
Dec	4	Topic: Myotonic Dystrophy in Children; Discussant: Carl Crosley, MD and Margaret Maimone, PhD Research: A reversal of misfortune for myotonic dystrophy [NEJM 355(17): 1825, 2006] Case: “Shake hands”: diagnosing a floppy infant – myotonic dystrophy and the congenital subtype: a difficult perinatal diagnosis [J Perinat. Med 28: 497, 2000] Research (selected figure and text only): Reversal of RNA missplicing and myotonia after muscleblind overexpression in a mouse poly(CUG) model for myotonic dystrophy [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103, 11748-11753, 2006]
Dec	11	Topic: Scleroderma ; Discussant: Fatme Allam, MD Case: Three rheumatologic emergencies: A sore toe, a cough, hypertension (Case 3 only) [Cleve Clin J Med 72(1): 54, 2005] Study: Stimulatory Autoantibodies to the PDGF Receptor in Systemic Sclerosis [NEJM 354(25): 2667,2006] Editorial: Autoantibodies against PDGF Receptor in Scleroderma [NEJM 354(25): 2709, 2006] Optional Review: Systemic sclerosis: a prototypic multisystem fibrotic disorder [J Clin. Invest. 117:557, 2007]
Dec	18	Topic: Dengue Fever; Discussant: Tim Endy, MD, PhD Case: Dengue hemorrhagic fever in a British travel guide [J Am Acad Dermatol 46: 430, 2002] Study: Burden of symptomatic dengue infection in children at primary school in Thailand: a prospective study [Lancet 369(9571): 1452, 2007] Perspective: The burden of dengue infection [Lancet 369(9571): 1410, 2007] Review: Dengue: defining protective versus pathologic immunity [J Clin Invest 113:946, 2004]. News Release: Dengue fever surges in Latin America [Associated Press, September 29, 2007]
Jan	15	Topic: Transplantation to Improve Quality of Life; Discussant: Amy Friedman, MD Research: Outcomes 18 Months after the First Human Partial Face Transplantation [NEJM 357(24): 2451, 2007] Editorial: Transplantation of the Larynx – A Case Report that Speaks for Itself [NEJM 344(22): 1712, 2001]
Jan	22	Topic: Sinusitis; Discussant: Steve Blatt, MD Study: Antibiotics and Topical Nasal Steroid for Treatment of Acute Maxillary Sinusitis [JAMA 298(21): 2487, 2007] Case: Mini-case
Jan	29	Special Session Topic: Health Care and the 2008 Presidential Election; Discussants: Health Care Forum Panel Study: Health care in the 2008 presidential primaries [NEJM 358(4): 414, 2008] Perspective: Candidate positions on six health care issues Perspective: Presidential politics and the resurgence of health care reform [NEJM 357(21): 2101, 2007]
Feb	5	Topic: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; Discussant: David Duggan, MD Perspective: Five Years After To Err Is Human: What Have We Learned? [JAMA 293(10): 2384, 2005] Case: Mini-case Optional background: To Err is Human [National Academy of Sciences, 1999]
Feb	7	Special Date and Time Topic:Genetics of IgA Nephropathy ; Discussant: Steve Scheinman, MD Study: Genome-wide linkage scan of a large family with IgA nephropathy localizes a novel susceptibility locus to chromosome 2q36 [J Am Soc Nephrol 18: 2408, 2007] Review: Genetic studies of IgA nephropathy [Nephron Exp Nephrol 2006; 102: e76] Optional background: The genetics of IgA nephropathy [Nat Clin Pract 2007; 3(6): 325] Optional background: IgA nephropathy [NEJM 2002; 347(10): 738]
Feb	12	Topic: Regenerative Therapies; Discussant: Tom Poole, PhD Study: Perfusion-decellularized matrix: using nature’s platform to engineer a bioartificial heart [Nature Med 2008] News Release: Team Creates Rat Heart Using Cells of Baby Rats [New York Times, January 14, 2008]
Feb	19	Topic: RNA Inteference and Gene Therapy; Discussant: Robert Hutchison, MD Research: RNAi and gene therapy: a mutual attraction [Hematology 2007] Perspective: Exploring the uses of RNAi – gene knockdown and the Nobel Prize [NEJM 355(23): 2391, 2006] Study (abstract only): Downregulation of NPM-ALK by siRNA causes anaplastic large cell lymphoma cell growth inhibition and augments the anti cancer effects of chemotherapy in vitro [Cancer Invest. 25(4): 240, 2007]
Feb	26	Topic: Alternative Medicine; Discussant: Lisa Kaufmann, MD Study: Hypericum extract versus imipramine or placebo in patients with moderate depression: randomised multicentre study of treatment for eight weeks [BMJ 1999;319:1534–8] Commentary: Has hypericum found its place in antidepressant treatment? [BMJ 1999;319:1539] Editorial: Botanical medicine - the need for new regulations [NEJM 347(25): 2073, 2002] Case: Hypertensive crisis associated with St. John's wort [Am J Med 112: 507, 2002] Optional background: St John’sWort for depression [Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005]
Mar	4	Topic: Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections; Discussant: James Listman, MD Study: Imaging studies after a first febrile urinary tract infection in young children [NEJM 348(3): 195, 2003] Study (editorial and table only) :Clinical significance of primary vesicoureteral reflux and urinary antibiotic prophylaxis after acute pyelonephritis: a mulitcenter, randomized, controlled study [Pediatrics 117(3): 626, 2006] Editorial: Imaging studies for childhood urinary tract infections [NEJM 348(3): 251, 2003]
Mar	11	Topic: Prophylaxis against Fungal Infections; Discussant: Sara Grethlein, MD Editorial: Prophylaxis and Aspergillosis – Has the Principle Been Proven? [NEJM 356(4): 409, 2007] Study #1 (Students Last Name A-K): Posaconazole or Fluconazole for Prophylaxis in Severe Graft-versus-Host Disease [NEJM 356(4): 335, 2007] Study #2 (Students Last Name L-Z): Posaconazole vs. Fluconazole or Itraconazole Prophylaxis in Patients with Neutropenia [NEJM 356(4): 348, 2007] Optional background: Antifungal Prophylaxis in Cancer Patients After Chemotherapy or Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [J Clin Oncol 25(34): 5471, 2007]