Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in combination with sirolimus or ciclosporin in renal transplant patients.

Aims: To compare the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and its metabolite (MPAG) when mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is administered in combination with sirolimus or ciclosporin (CsA) in renal allograft recipients. Safety and efficacy (biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR)) were also assessed.

Methods: Patients (n = 45) were randomized 2 : 1 to receive treatment with sirolimus (n = 30; dosed to maintain trough concentrations of 10-25 ng ml(-1) until week 8, and then 8-15 ng ml(-1) thereafter) or CsA (n = 15; administered as per centre practice) both in combination with daclizumab, oral MMF and corticosteroids.

Renal function with cyclosporine C2 monitoring, enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium and basiliximab: a 12-month randomized trial in renal transplant recipients.

Background: Cyclosporine exposure, as estimated by the area under the curve (AUC), predicts outcomes in renal transplantation. Cyclosporine concentration at two h post-dose (C(2)) has been shown to be the most reliable, single-point surrogate marker for AUC. The objective of this study was to measure renal function beyond month 2 post-transplant using two different C(2) maintenance targets in combination with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), corticosteroids, and basiliximab induction.

12-month safety and efficacy of everolimus with reduced exposure cyclosporine in de novo renal transplant recipients.

The proliferation signal inhibitor everolimus (Certican), has demonstrated efficacy with full-dose cyclosporine (CsA) (Neoral). Two multicenter randomized controlled studies were performed to compare 12-month efficacy and safety of everolimus 1.5 and 3.

Characteristics of combined family practice-psychiatry residency programs.

Objective: To evaluate how family practice-psychiatry residency programs meet the challenges of rigorous accreditation demands, clinical supervision, and boundaries of practice.

Method: A 54-question survey of program directors of family practice-psychiatry residency programs outlining program demographic data, curricula, coordination, resident characteristics, integration, and overall satisfaction was mailed to 11 combined family practice psychiatry-residency programs.

Results: Programs surveyed were meeting residency review committee (RRC) requirements, and a majority of the program directors believe that the training is as good as or better than categorical programs, and categorical residents benefited from training alongside combined residents.