Optimal turnaround time for direct identification of microorganisms by mass spectrometry in blood culture.

Introduction: During the past few years, several studies describing direct identification of bacteria from blood culture using mass spectrometry have been published. These methods cannot, however, be easily integrated into a common laboratory workflow because of the high hands-on time they require. In this paper, we propose a new method of identification with a short hands-on time and a turnaround time shorter than 15min.

Endoxifen levels and its association with CYP2D6 genotype and phenotype: evaluation of a southern Brazilian population under tamoxifen pharmacotherapy.

Background: An association between CYP2D6 variation and clinical outcomes among women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen (TAM) has been demonstrated, such that the presence of 2 functional CYP2D6 alleles was associated with better clinical outcomes. This association is mainly due to the CYP2D6-mediated hydroxylation of N-desmethyltamoxifen (NDT) to yield endoxifen (EDF), which because of its high antiestrogenic potency, is mainly responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of TAM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of CYP2D6 genotyping and phenotyping with EDF levels and [NDT]/[EDF] metabolic ratio in breast cancer patients from South of Brazil under TAM therapy.

Severe acute cardiomyopathy associated with venlafaxine overdose and possible role of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms.

Introduction: Venlafaxine (VEN) is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor that causes usually a mild cardiotoxicity when ingested in overdose. We report a patient who developed acute heart failure following overdose. As the toxicokinetic data suggested a prolonged metabolism, genetic polymorphisms for cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 were also investigated.

Lack of evidence of stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet-derived growth factor receptor in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs. Recent findings suggested that the disease is driven by stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), which stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collagen by fibroblasts. These results opened novel avenues of research into the diagnosis and treatment of SSc.