Effectiveness and nephrotoxicity of intravenous colistin for treatment of patients with infections due to polymyxin-only-susceptible (POS) gram-negative bacteria

The prospective case series study presented here was conducted to assess the outcome of patients with infections caused by polymyxin-only-susceptible (POS) gram-negative bacteria managed with intravenous colistin. Between July 2003 and April 2005 a total of 27 patients were infected with a POS gram-negative bacterium and received intravenous colistin at a dose of 2 million international units (MIU) (160 mg or 66.7 mg colistin base) every 8 h for a mean (±SD) duration of 13.9 (±7.5) days. Nine patients had ventilator-associated pneumonia and received, in addition to the intravenous colistin therapy, 1 MIU (80 mg or 33.3 mg colistin base) aerosolized colistin every 12 h for a mean (±SD) duration of 13 (±6.5) days. The predominant pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=17) and Acinetobacter baumannii (n=12); in two patients both pathogens were isolated from one clinical specimen. In-hospital mortality and clinical response were 15% and 85%, respectively. Colistin-associated nephrotoxicity was observed in two of the 27 patients. POS gram-negative pathogens represent a major threat for hospitalized patients. Colistin appears to be an effective and safe treatment, even in patients with severe underlying diseases.     

Within-gene interaction between c.135 G/A genotypes and RET proto-oncogene germline mutations in HSCR families.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is considered a model for a complex inheritance disorder. Several genes, including the major HSCR-susceptibility RET proto-oncogene, play an aetiological role in the development of HSCR. Genetic linkage analysis in familial HSCR with both long- and short-segment phenotypes has demonstrated a tight linkage to the RET locus, while the phenotype within a HSCR family is characterised by an incomplete penetrance or a variable extension of the aganglionosis. Therefore, additional genetic alterations of RET are postulated in the aetiology or modification of the HSCR phenotype. In this study, the coding region of all 21 exons of the RET proto-oncogene, including the flanking intronic sequences, were investigated by direct DNA sequencing in a HSCR population. We genotyped the c.135 G/A polymorphism and resolved haplotypes comprising the mutation locus and the c.135 G/A polymorphism. Twenty different mutations were detected in 18 of 76 HSCR patients. In ten families the mutations were inherited from the parents, while only four patients had a positive family history for the disease. Moreover, in all ten families an incomplete penetrance of the HSCR phenotype was observed. We have investigated the effect of the non-mutated wild-type allele as well as the c.135 G/A polymorphism on the phenotype within the HSCR families. Our findings support the notion that both RET alleles are involved in the pathogenesis of a subgroup of HSCR patients in a dose-dependent fashion. Additionally, we have shown a modifying effect of the c.135 G/A polymorphism on the HSCR phenotype within HSCR families.     

Mindestmengen

BACKGROUND: Consequences of the volume outcome relationship are controversial. Objectification based on data analysis is strongly needed. The aim of this publication was to analyse the effects of volume outcome reallocations based on German inpatient data. METHOD: The analysis based on inpatient data of the Krankenhauszweckverband Koeln, Bonn und Region (Hospital Association of the Cologne and Bonn Region) of 2002 and 2005. Relevant data sets were identified according to the effects of current German regulations on volume outcome on the special fields liver transplant, kidney transplant, complex pancreatic surgery, and complex oesophageal surgery. RESULTS: The effects of current German regulations on volume outcome results differed greatly between the four surgical specialities. There were fewer effects on kidney transplant, but due to an already very high level of centralisation 34% (oesophagus) and 8% (pancreas) of the hospitals stopped related surgery. This affected 8.9% (oesophagus) and 2.2% (pancreas) of related cases. CONCLUSION: Concentration and the formation of specialised medical centres are results of the implementation of volume outcome relationships. The quality of medical treatment does not automatically improve from this development. It is necessary to analyse any correlation between quality and frequency of treatment or other criteria such as know-how, structure and process management, and multidisciplinarity.     

Temporary alopecia after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Primary endovascular intervention is increasingly the first choice of treatment for cerebral aneurysms, particularly for those with complex anatomy in the posterior circulation. However, their clinical management and follow-up continue to be predominantly in the hands of neurosurgeons. In this report, the development of alopecia following the coiling of posterior circulation aneurysms is described. The alopecia was transient and lasted for approximately 6 months, and occurred in the occipital and suboccipital regions of the scalp. This report aims to highlight this condition, which has not been previously reported in the neurosurgical literature. The potential hazards of irradiation should be borne in mind while carrying out complex endovascular procedures. The patient should be counselled and all necessary steps undertaken to limit radiation exposure.     

Evaluation of clinical outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament surgery

Clinical outcomes data can be used to facilitate patient management decisions, assess clinician and organizational performance, and to provide evidence for the effectiveness of surgery and rehabilitation. The validity of the inferences made from outcomes data are dependent on the validity of the outcomes measures themselves and the circumstances under which the data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Clinical outcomes may include measures of impairment of body structure and function, activity limitation, and participation restriction. However, because the relationship between impairment and the resulting activity limitation and participation restriction is not direct, and because activity limitations and participation restrictions are of the utmost concern to the athlete, the primary clinical outcome should be measures of activity limitation and participation restriction. Activity limitation and participation restriction may be measured either through direct observation of performance or by general or specific measures of health related quality of life. Clinical outcomes data must be collected systematically to ensure valid inferences from the data.