Ipilimumab induced digital vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: Immune check point inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a new therapeutic paradigm for a variety of malignancies including metastatic melanoma. As the use of ICIs expand, immune-mediated adverse events are becoming a common occurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the first reported patient with small vessel vasculitis, manifested by digital ischemia, following treatment with high dose Ipilimumab for resected stage IIIB/C melanoma. This patient received high dose steroids, five-day intravenous (IV) Epoprostenol protocol, botulinum toxin injections, and Rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for four cycles. With this treatment regimen, the digital ischemia did not progress proximally, but she did require multiple distal digit amputations about six months after the onset of her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt identification and management of immune related adverse events (IRAEs) are critical to optimal patient management. This patient's vasculitis did not reverse, but was likely halted and stabilized with multiple immunosuppressive medications.

Developments in Screening Tests and Strategies for Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and second most common in women. It is the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. In the United States, CRC is the third most common cause of cancer and second most common cause of cancer mortality. Incidence and mortality rates have steadily fallen, primarily due to widespread screening. METHODS: We conducted keyword searches on PubMed in four categories of CRC screening: stool, endoscopic, radiologic, and serum, as well as news searches in Medscape and Google News. RESULTS: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for CRC screening and the most common method in the United States. Technological improvements continue to be made, including the promising "third-eye retroscope." Fecal occult blood remains widely used, particularly outside the United States. The first at-home screen, a fecal DNA screen, has also recently been approved. Radiological methods are effective but seldom used due to cost and other factors. Serum tests are largely experimental, although at least one is moving closer to market. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy is likely to remain the most popular screening modality for the immediate future, although its shortcomings will continue to spur innovation in a variety of modalities.

Oriented graphene nanoribbon yarn and sheet from aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube sheets.

Highly oriented graphene nanoribbons sheets and yarns are produced by chemical unzipping of self-standing multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) sheets. The as-produced yarns - after being chemically and thermally reduced - exhibit a good mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical performance.