Evaluation of an Empiric Vancomycin Dosing Protocol on Goal Troughs and Acute Kidney Injury in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Review the efficacy and safety of an updated empiric vancomycin dosing protocol in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: Retrospective chart review including neonates with postmenstrual age (PMA) less than 40 weeks without renal dysfunction who received vancomycin per protocol at a single institution's NICU before and after implementation of an updated dosing protocol. The primary outcome is the proportion of initial therapeutic troughs.

Development of a Mitochondrial Myopathy-Composite Assessment Tool.

Background: 'Mitochondrial Myopathy' (MM) refers to genetically-confirmed Primary Mitochondrial Disease (PMD) that predominantly impairs skeletal muscle function. Validated outcome measures encompassing core MM domains of muscle weakness, muscle fatigue, imbalance, impaired dexterity, and exercise intolerance do not exist. The goal of this study was to validate clinically-meaningful, quantitative outcome measures specific to MM.

CFTR modulator drug desensitization: Preserving the hope of long term improvement.

The development of modulator therapy has, for the first time, allowed direct targeting of the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Patients treated with CFTR modulators have improvement in lung function and decreased rates of pulmonary exacerbations. In 2019, elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor was approved for use in the United States, opening these therapies to 90% of patients with CF.

[Toilet Hygiene in Schools: an Old and Still Current Topic. Results of a Survey of School Administrators and Students in Frankfurt am Main, 2018].

Background: Due to numerous complaints regarding the bad condition of the toilets in schools in Frankfurt am Main, a structured survey was conducted in schools in June 2018. The objectives of the survey were: investigation of problem situations and collection of good-practice examples METHODS: One questionnaire was developed for the school management and another one for the students, to be completed by each class. Experiences and suggestions for improvement were asked for from both the management and the students RESULTS: All 147 schools in Frankfurt were contacted.