Investigating Serious Adverse Drug Reactions in Patients Receiving Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents: A Root Cause Analysis Using the "ANTICIPATE" Framework.

Background: Unexpected serious adverse drug reactions (sADRs) affecting patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were identified by study co-authors. These included pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) after administration of the Eprex formulation of epoetin or the epoetin biosimilar HX575 and fatal anaphylaxis associated with peginesatide, an erythropoietin receptor agonist. We developed and applied a structured framework to describe these sADRs, including root cause analyses and eradication efforts.

Hydrophobic treatment enabling analysis of wettable surfaces using a liquid microjunction surface sampling probe/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry system.

An aerosol application procedure involving one or more commercially available silicone-based products was developed to create hydrophobic surfaces that enable analysis of otherwise wettable, absorbent surfaces using a liquid microjunction surface sampling probe/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system. The treatment process resulted in a hydrophobic surface that enabled formation of the requisite probe-to-surface liquid microjunction for sampling and allowed efficient extraction of the analytes from the surface, but did not contribute significant chemical background in the mass spectra. The utility of this treatment process was demonstrated with the treatment of wettable high-performance thin layer chromatography plates, post-plate development, and their subsequent analysis with the sampling probe.

New districts--old results?

On Nov. 5, Michigan voters will elect legislators in each of Michigan's 15 new congressional districts to serve in Washington, DC, as well as state senators and representatives from newly drawn districts. But will the new districts change the makeup of the congressional delegation and the Republican's decade-long hold on majorities in the state House and Senate?