Leveraging Technology in Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Programs.

Description Medication safety is improved through REMS programs. Multidisciplinary teams and front-line staff are vital in setting up a REMS program and should be included in any discussions surrounding REMS programs. Certain components of the REMS requirements may be replaced with CDS screens.

CD166/ALCAM expression is characteristic of tumorigenicity and invasive and migratory activities of pancreatic cancer cells.

Background: CD166, also known as activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), is expressed by various cells in several tissues including cancer. However, the role of CD166 in malignant tumors is controversial, especially in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to clarify the role and significance of CD166 expression in pancreatic cancer.

Total pancreatectomy and autologous islet cell transplantation as a means to treat severe chronic pancreatitis.

Autologous islet cell transplantation after near-total or total pancreatic resection can alleviate pain in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis and preserve endocrine function. From February 2000 to February 2003, a total of 22 patients, whose median age was 38 years, underwent pancreatectomy and autologous islet cell transplantation. Postoperative complications, metabolic studies, insulin usage, pain scores, and quality of life were recorded for all of these patients.

The impact of post-procedure interpretation of ERCP X-ray films by radiologists on patient care: should it be routine or selective?

Background: Review of ERCP x-ray films by radiologists is routine, but the utility of this practice is unproven. The aim of this study was to assess whether the routine post-procedural interpretation of ERCP films by radiologists alters patient management.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 212 ERCPs followed by a prospective analysis of 112 ERCPs was performed.

Prevalence and predictors of severity as defined by atlanta criteria among patients presenting with acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: Effective triage of patients with acute pancreatitis is dependent on the ability to accurately predict a severe course. Predictors (e.g.

Lack of benefit of intravenous synthetic human secretin in the treatment of autism.

The objective of this study was to determine if an intravenous infusion of synthetic human secretin improves language and behavioral symptoms in children with autism. Forty-two children with the diagnosis of autism were randomized to one of two groups in this double-blind cross-over trial. One group received 2 IU/kg of intravenous synthetic human secretin at the first visit, followed by an equal volume of intravenous saline placebo at week 6.

IAP Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Acute Pancreatitis.

During 2002 the International Association of Pancreatology developed evidenced-based guidelines on the surgical management of acute pancreatitis. There were 11 guidelines, 10 of which were recommendations grade B and one (the second) grade A. (1) Mild acute pancreatitis is not an indication for pancreatic surgery.

Acute pancreatitis in children.

Objectives: Currently, there is no scoring system for predicting severity in acute pancreatitis in children. Our intent was to evaluate the performance of existing scoring systems in children, to develop a system for children, and to examine the etiology of acute pancreatitis in children.

Methods: A chart review of children with acute pancreatitis was conducted at six centers, three serving as criterion centers and three as validation centers.

Elucidation of vasoactive intestinal peptide pharmacophore for VPAC(1) receptors in human, rat, and guinea pig.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neurotransmitter involved in a number of pathological and physiological processes. VIP is rapidly degraded and simplified stable analogs are needed. VIP's action was extensively studied in rat and guinea pig.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis.

Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis should be treated with the same supportive and symptom-oriented measures as those with acute pancreatitis. The need for specific treatment depends on the cause of the pancreatitis. Patients should discontinue alcohol use, putative causative medications, and exposure to toxins or helminths in endemic areas.