External validation of the medication taper complexity score for methadone tapers in children with opioid abstinence syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Methadone is commonly prescribed for children with opioid abstinence syndrome (OAS) as a taper schedule over several days to weeks. The Medication Taper Complexity Score (MTCS) was developed to evaluate outpatient methadone tapers. OBJECTIVE: To further validate the MTCS and determine if it is a reliable tool for clinicians to use to assess the complexity of methadone tapers for OAS. METHODS: An expert panel of pediatric clinical pharmacists was convened. Panel members were provided 9 methadone tapers (ie, "easy," "medium," and "difficult") to determine construct and face validity of the MTCS. The primary objective was to further establish reliability and construct/face validity of the MTCS. The secondary objective was to assess the reliability of the MTCS within and between tapers. Instrument reliability was assessed using a Pearson correlation coefficient; with 0.8 as the minimum acceptable coefficient. Construct (divergent) validity was assessed via a repeated-measures ANOVA analysis (Bonferroni post hoc analyses) of the mean scores provided by panel members. RESULTS: Six panel members were recruited from various geographical locations. Panel members had 18.3 ± 5.5 years of experience, with practice expertise in general pediatrics, hematology/oncology, and the pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit. The MTCS had a reliability coefficient of .9949. There was vivid discrimination between the easy, medium, and difficult tapers; P = .001. The panel recommended minor modifications to the MTCS. CONCLUSIONS: The MTCS was found to be a reliable and valid tool. Overall, the panel felt that the MTCS was easy to use and had potential applications in both practice and research.

Diagnostic testing and interpretation of tests for autoimmunity.

Laboratory testing is of great value when evaluating a patient with a suspected autoimmune disease. The results can confirm a diagnosis, estimate disease severity, aid in assessing prognosis and are useful for following disease activity. Components of the laboratory examination include a complete blood count with differential, a comprehensive metabolic panel, measurement of inflammatory markers and autoantibodies, and flow cytometry. This chapter discusses these components and includes a discussion about organ-specific immunologic diseases for which immunologic laboratory testing is used. Comprehensive laboratory evaluation of a suspected autoimmune illness in conjunction with a thorough clinical evaluation provides a better understanding of a patient's immunologic disease.

Comparison of dialysis dose through real-time Kt/V by ultraviolet absorbance of spent dialysate, single-pool Daugirdas II, and Kt/BSA according to sex and age.

BACKGROUND: Kt/V OnLine (Kt/VOL) avoids inaccuracies associated with the estimation of urea volume distribution (V). The study aimed to compare Kt/VOL, Kt/V Daugirdas II, and Kt/BSA according to sex and age. METHODS: Urea volume distribution and body surface area were obtained by Watson and Haycock formulas in 47 patients. V/BSA was considered as a conversion factor from Kt/V to Kt/BSA. Dry weight was determined before the study. Kt/VOL was obtained on DIALOG machines. RESULTS: Pearson correlation between Kt/VOL vs Kt/VII and Kt/VOL vs Kt/BSA was significant for males (r = 0.446, P = 0.012 and r = -0.476 P = 0.007) and individuals < 65 years (0.457, P = 0.019 and -0.549 P = 0.004), but not for females and individuals ≥ 65 years. V/BSA between individuals < 65 and individuals ≥ 65 years were 18.28 ± 0.15 and 18.18 ± 0.16 P = 0.000). No agreement between Kt/VII vs Kt/BSA. Men and individuals > 65 years received a larger dialysis dose than, respectively, females and individuals < 65 years, in the comparison between Kt/VOL versus Kt/VII. V/BSA ratios among men and women were respectively 18.29 ± 0.13 and 18.12 ± 0.15 P = 0.000. CONCLUSIONS: Kt/VOL allows recognition of real-time dose regardless of sex and age.

Case report: primary gastric melanoma in a patient with dermatomyositis.

We present the first reported case of a patient with dermatomyositis found to have primary gastric melanoma. The possibility of primary gastric melanoma occurring before, concurrently or after the onset of dermatomyositis is the subject of this case report.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of infliximab in refractory polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate in a pilot study the safety and efficacy of infliximab in patients with refractory dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial including subjects with active DM or PM. Participants had stable doses of immunosuppressive medication and prednisone (≤0.5mg/kg/day), and exhibited clinical signs of muscle weakness for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry. Participants received infusions of either placebo or infliximab 5mg/kg at 0, 2, 6, and 14 weeks in blinded manner. The primary outcome was a ≥15% manual muscle strength (MMT) improvement at week 16 compared to week 0. The secondary outcome measures were improvement defined by the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) criteria. At week 16, responders in each arm had the option of either continuing the same treatment or changing to the non-responder treatment for that study arm. Non-responders in the 5mg/kg infliximab arm were increased to infliximab 7.5mg/kg for weeks 22, 30, and 38. Non-responders in the placebo arm at week 16 received infliximab 5mg/kg at weeks 16, 18, 22, 30, and 38. Outcomes were reassessed at week 40. RESULTS: Twelve subjects completed the study to week 16. Six of the 12 subjects received infliximab treatment at the dose of 5mg/kg with only one subject meeting the responder criteria at that dose. Of the remaining five subjects on infliximab, three crossed over to the infliximab 7.5mg/kg dose. One of those three subjects responded. All six patients in the placebo arm crossed over to the 5mg/kg dosing regimen after week 16, and two of those responded to infliximab. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab therapy for patients with refractory PM and DM was well tolerated and may benefit a subset of patients.

Feeding programs for commercial turkeys at the finishing stage / Programas alimentares para perus comerciais em fase de terminação

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of feeding management on performance and carcass yield of male turkeys during finishing stage. 920 male turkeys were used, which were housed in 40 pens; each pen was comprised of experimental unit. The birds, from 91 to 154 days, were submitted to four feeding managements, based on feed intake, that were: ad libitum, where feed was permanently available to birds; controlled with a daily supply of 100% of recommended feed amount; controlled with 95% of recommended daily feed amount, and controlled with 90% of recommended daily feed amount. Each feeding treatment had ten replicates of 23 birds each. Controlled or restricted feeding management reduced feed intake, average weight, and weight gain (P <0.05), and worsened feed conversion (P <0.05). Carcass and leg weight were reduced (P <0.05) from the 5% restriction related to the recommended. Breast weight was reduced (P <0.05) with a restriction of 10%. No differences were seen when compared to carcass and leg yield and fat deposition (P> 0.05), only breast yield was reduced (P<0.05) when the birds received 90% of that recommended by the lineage, compared to the ad libitum feed management. The feeding management of male turkeys with restriction of the recommended feed amount during the finishing stage had a negative effect on the performance of the birds. However, controlled feeding at 100% of recommended to the lineage reduced feed intake and did not change the carcass weight, breast or leg yield, or fat deposition.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes manejos alimentares de perus machos na fase de terminação sobre desempenho e rendimento de carcaça. Foram utilizados 920 perus machos, alojados em 40 boxes, onde cada box constituiu uma unidade experimental. As aves, de 91 a 154 dias de idade, foram submetidas a quatro diferentes manejos alimentares, baseados no consumo de ração. Os manejos alimentares foram: a vontade, em que a dieta estava permanentemente disponível as aves; controlado com o fornecimento diário de 100% da quantidade recomendada; controlado com o fornecimento diário de 95% da quantidade de ração recomendada; controlado com o fornecimento diário de 90 % da quantidade de ração recomendada. Cada tratamento alimentar contou com 10 repetições de 23 aves cada. Manejos de alimentação controlados ou restritos reduziram o consumo de ração, peso médio, ganho de peso (P<0.05) e pioraram a conversão alimentar (P<0.05). O peso da carcaça e das pernas foi reduzido (P<0.05) a partir da restrição de 5 % em relação ao recomendado. Já o peso de peito foi reduzido (P<0.05) com a restrição de 10%. Não foram observadas diferenças em relação ao rendimento de carcaça, pernas e deposição de gordura (P>0.05), apenas o rendimento de peito foi reduzido (P<0.05) quando as aves receberam 90% do recomendado pela linhagem em relação ao manejo a vontade. Manejos alimentares com restrição da quantidade de ração recomendada, na fase de terminação de perus de corte machos, têm efeito negativo sobre o desempenho das aves, no entanto a alimentação controlada em 100 % do recomendado pela linhagem reduz o consumo de ração e não altera o peso ou rendimento da carcaça, peito, pernas e a deposição de gordura.

Comparison of dialysis dose through real-time Kt/V by ultraviolet absorbance of spent dialysate, single-pool Daugirdas II, and Kt/BSA according to sex and age / Comparação da dose de diálise através do Kt/V em tempo real pela absorbância ultravioleta do dialisato gasto, Daugirdas II de pool único e Kt/BSA de acordo com sexo e idade

ABSTRACT Background: Kt/V OnLine (Kt/VOL) avoids inaccuracies associated with the estimation of urea volume distribution (V). The study aimed to compare Kt/VOL, Kt/V Daugirdas II, and Kt/BSA according to sex and age. Methods: Urea volume distribution and body surface area were obtained by Watson and Haycock formulas in 47 patients. V/BSA was considered as a conversion factor from Kt/V to Kt/BSA. Dry weight was determined before the study. Kt/VOL was obtained on DIALOG machines. Results: Pearson correlation between Kt/VOL vs Kt/VII and Kt/VOL vs Kt/BSA was significant for males (r = 0.446, P = 0.012 and r = -0.476 P = 0.007) and individuals < 65 years (0.457, P = 0.019 and -0.549 P = 0.004), but not for females and individuals ≥ 65 years. V/BSA between individuals < 65 and individuals ≥ 65 years were 18.28 ± 0.15 and 18.18 ± 0.16 P = 0.000). No agreement between Kt/VII vs Kt/BSA. Men and individuals > 65 years received a larger dialysis dose than, respectively, females and individuals < 65 years, in the comparison between Kt/VOL versus Kt/VII. V/BSA ratios among men and women were respectively 18.29 ± 0.13 and 18.12 ± 0.15 P = 0.000. Conclusions: Kt/VOL allows recognition of real-time dose regardless of sex and age.

RESUMO Introdução: O Kt/V OnLine (Kt/VOL) evita imprecisões associadas à estimativa da distribuição do volume de uréia (V). O estudo teve como objetivo comparar Kt/VOL, Kt/V Daugirdas II e Kt/BSA de acordo com sexo e idade. Métodos: A distribuição do volume de uréia e área de superfície corporal foram obtidas pelas fórmulas de Watson e Haycock em 47 pacientes. V/BSA foi considerado um fator de conversão de Kt/V para Kt/BSA. O peso seco foi determinado antes do estudo. Kt/VOL foi obtido através de máquinas DIALOG. Resultados: A correlação de Pearson entre Kt/VOL vs Kt/VII e Kt/VOL vs Kt/BSA foi significativa para os homens (r = 0,446, P = 0,012 e r = -0,476 P = 0,007) e indivíduos < 65 anos (0,457, P = 0,019 e -0,549 P = 0,004), mas não para mulheres e indivíduos ≥ 65 anos. A V/BSA entre indivíduos <65 e indivíduos ≥ 65 anos foi 18,28 ± 0,15 e 18,18 ± 0,16 P = 0,000). Sem concordância entre Kt/VII vs Kt/BSA. Homens e indivíduos > 65 anos receberam maior dose de diálise do que, mulheres e indivíduos <65 anos, respectivamente, na comparação entre Kt/VOL versus Kt/VII. As razões V/BSA entre homens e mulheres foram, respectivamente, 18,29 ± 0,13 e 18,12 ± 0,15 P = 0,000. Conclusões: Kt/VOL permite o reconhecimento da dose em tempo real, independentemente do sexo e idade.

Diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory myopathy: issues and management.

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies include polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM). The specific etiologies of these muscle diseases are not well known and are thought to involve components of the humoral and cellular immune system as well as other nonimmune factors. Diagnosing these myopathies involves a laboratory evaluation, imaging studies, multidisciplinary consultations, histologic examination and potentially genetic studies. Despite all that we currently know about inflammatory muscle disease with these studies, we find that our current concept of muscle disease is changing. In the cases of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy and inclusion body myositis, the concept of inflammation needs to be rethought. Moreover, the classification schemes for these idiopathic myopathies may need updating to include current research findings that relate to pathogenesis. With ongoing discoveries, classification and appropriate treatment is becoming increasingly challenging. This paper discusses the inflammatory myopathies, the challenges to diagnosis, classification controversies and potential treatment options.

A pilot study assessing the frequency and complexity of methadone tapers for opioid abstinence syndrome in children discharged to home.

BACKGROUND: Methadone is often prescribed as a taper schedule to prevent/treat opioid abstinence syndrome (OAS) or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the percentage of children discharged home on methadone tapers and to develop, assess, and implement an instrument for measuring the complexity of the methadone regimens. METHODS: This study used a descriptive retrospective design to examine patients younger than 18 years from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2008, administered methadone for prevention/treatment of OAS/NAS and discharged home on a methadone taper. Data collection included demographics and characteristics of methadone regimen. The primary objective was to determine the percentage of children discharged on methadone. Secondary objectives included characterization (ie, number of dosage and interval changes), duration, and complexity of the methadone taper. Descriptive statistics were performed using Stata v10 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX). Complexity was evaluated using the medication taper complexity score (MTCS) between 4 raters. Reliability of the MTCS was established using interrater correlation analyses of the regimen complexity scores. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (41.8%) were discharged on methadone. The median (range) age was 0.42 (0-12) years, with most patients (75.8%) initiated on methadone for prevention of OAS. Thirty-one patients were included for further analysis of medication complexity. The median (range) duration of the home taper was 8 days (2-48), which included a median (range) of 4 (1-11) dose changes and at least 1 (0-2) change in the interval. MTCS ranged from 7 to 42, with the tool demonstrating 95% interrater reliability. CONCLUSIONS: More than one-third of patients were discharged home on methadone. The median taper duration was 8 days and included a median of 5 adjustments in either the dose or interval. The MTCS demonstrated very good interrater reliability to measure wide variability in the complexity of individual tapers. Future studies should determine the construct validity of the MTCS and the applicability of this tool for further research and clinical application.