Molecular phenotype predicts sensitivity of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition.

Despite nearly universal expression of the wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and reproducible activity of EGFR inhibitors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), the majority of patients will not have objective responses. The mechanisms of this intrinsic resistance are not well established. We hypothesized that sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors can be predicted based on the inhibitors' effects on downstream signaling.

Opioid overdose prevention with intranasal naloxone among people who take methadone.

Overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) is an intervention that addresses overdose, but has not been studied among people who take methadone, a drug involved in increasing numbers of overdoses. This study describes the implementation of OEND among people taking methadone in the previous 30 days in various settings in Massachusetts. From 2008 to 2010, 1553 participants received OEND who had taken methadone in the past 30 days.

Changes in maternal weight 5-10 years after a first delivery.

Aim: The objective of this study was to identify maternal, obstetrical and reproductive factors associated with long-term changes in maternal weight after delivery.

Materials & Methods: Participants were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study of maternal health 5-10 years after childbirth. Data were obtained from obstetrical records and a self-administered questionnaire.

Association between common iron store markers and hemoglobin in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) are used to assess iron status in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their sensitivity in identifying those at risk of lower hemoglobin (HGB) values is unclear.

Methods: We assessed the association of iron status markers (ferritin, TSAT, and serum iron) with age- and gender-related HGB percentile in mild-to-moderate CKD in 304 children in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Study. Standardized HGB percentile values were examined by KDOQI-recommended ferritin (≥ 100 ng/ml) and TSAT (≥ 20 %) thresholds.

Longitudinal changes in pelvic organ support among parous women.

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize changes in pelvic organ support and symptoms of prolapse over time and identify characteristics associated with worsening of support.

Methods: Participants were recruited based on the mode of delivery (cesarean vs vaginal delivery) of their first child. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system was used to describe support at baseline and 12 to 18 months later.

Patterns of post-traumatic stress symptoms in families after paediatric intensive care.

Purpose: To establish longitudinal rates of post-traumatic stress in a cohort of child-parent pairs; to determine associations with poorer outcome.

Method: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study set in a 21-bed unit. In total 66 consecutive admissions aged 7-17 years were screened with one parent at 3 and 12 months post-discharge.

Methadone dose, take home status, and hospital admission among methadone maintenance patients.

Objectives: Among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opioid dependence, receipt of unobserved dosing privileges (take homes) and adequate doses (ie, ≥ 80 mg) are each associated with improved addiction treatment outcomes, but the association with acute care hospitalization is unknown. We studied whether take-home dosing and adequate doses (ie, ≥80 mg) were associated with decreased hospital admission among patients in an MMT.

Methods: We reviewed daily electronic medical records of patients enrolled in one MMT program to determine receipt of take-home doses, methadone dose 80 mg or more, and hospital admission date.

Clot dissolution: a novel treatment of midgut volvulus.

Midgut volvulus due to malrotation may result in loss of the small bowel. Until now, after derotation of the volvulus, pediatric surgeons do not deal with the mesenteric thrombosis, which causes continuing ischemia of the intestine. On occasion, a "second look" laparotomy is performed in the hope that some improvement in blood supply to the intestine has occurred.

Prevalence of retinal hemorrhages in critically ill children.

Background: Retinal hemorrhages (RHs) with encephalopathy and subdural bleeding are considered suggestive of abusive head trauma (AHT). Existing studies describing RH focus on AHT and have potential selection bias. We undertook a prospective observational study to define the prevalence, distribution, and extent of RH in critically ill children.

Posterior cruciate ligament tears: functional and postoperative rehabilitation.

Purpose: Historically, the results of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions are not as favourable as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions, and it is well recognized that nonoperative treatment and postoperative rehabilitation for PCL injuries must be altered compared to those for ACL injuries. The purpose of this article was to review current peer-reviewed PCL rehabilitation programmes and to recommend a nonoperative and postoperative programme based on basic science and published outcomes studies.

Methods: To discover the current practices being used to rehabilitate PCL injuries, we conducted a search of PubMed with the terms "posterior cruciate ligament" and "rehabilitation" from 1983 to 2011.

Transesophageal Doppler measurement of renal arterial blood flow velocities and indices in children.

Background: Doppler-derived renal blood flow indices have been used to assess renal pathologies. However, transesophageal ultrasonography (TEE) has not been previously used to assess these renal variables in pediatric patients. In this study, we (a) assessed whether TEE allows adequate visualization of the renal parenchyma and renal artery, and (b) evaluated the concordance of TEE Doppler-derived renal blood flow measurements/indices compared with a standard transabdominal renal ultrasound (TAU) in children.

A single Cu(II) catalyst for the three-component coupling of diverse nitrogen sources with aldehydes and alkynes.

A single Cu(II) catalyst without the addition of ligand or base couples a diverse range of nitrogen sources with alkynes and aldehydes bearing alkyl, halogenated, silyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups. The first example of a copper-catalyzed alkynylation involving p-toluenesulfonamide provides high yields of N-Ts-protected propargylamines. The superior activity of copper(II) triflate also allows this three-component alkynylation to incorporate a ketone.

Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique with Use of Endoscopic Femoral Graft Placement.

Introduction: As the varied results seen after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions might be due to surgical techniques that fail to reconstruct both functional bundles of the PCL and that injure the vastus medialis obliquus muscle, we developed a technique to address these problems and thus improve patient outcomes.

Step 1 Examine Under Anesthesia: Assess range of motion and patellofemoral stability; perform stress tests, Lachman and pseudo-Lachman tests, pivot shift test, drawer tests, reverse pivot shift test, and dial test.

Step 2 Perform Arthroscopy: Preserve any remnants of PCL at anterolateral and posteromedial bundle attachment sites to promote vascular healing.

Assessing mortality in women with hepatitis C virus and HIV using indirect markers of fibrosis.

Objective: Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. However, predictors of mortality are poorly defined and most studies have focused predominantly on co-infection in men. We evaluated whether two indirect markers of hepatic fibrosis, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB-4 scores, were predictive of mortality in a well defined longitudinal cohort of HCV/HIV-co-infected women on HAART.

Establishing a methodology for development and dissemination of nursing evidence-based practice to promote quality care.

Reducing nursing practice variance by standardization of practice guidelines based on supportive literature has demonstrated improvements in the quality of patient care and positive patient outcomes. The challenge is to link the bedside nurse providing nursing care to subject matter experts well-versed in the critical analysis of clinical practice recommendations. This article discusses the restructuring of nursing research departments within Army healthcare facilities to facilitate nursing practice based on supportive evidence and the development of a senior nursing leadership practice council to support dissemination of approved nursing practice guidelines across all Army inpatient medical facilities.

Metal-specific interactions of H2 adsorbed within isostructural metal-organic frameworks.

Diffuse reflectance infrared (IR) spectroscopy performed over a wide temperature range (35-298 K) is used to study the dynamics of H(2) adsorbed within the isostructural metal-organic frameworks M(2)L (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn; L = 2,5-dioxidobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) referred to as MOF-74 and CPO-27. Spectra collected at H(2) concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 3.

Reliability of resting blood pressure measurement and classification using an oscillometric device in children with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To compare the reliability of blood pressure (BP) readings obtained with an oscillometric device with those obtained by auscultation and assess for differences in BP status classification based on the 2 techniques.

Study Design: Resting BP was measured by auscultation and with an oscillometric device at the same encounter in 235 subjects enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study. Resting auscultatory BP values were averaged and compared with averaged oscillometric readings.

Viable Staphylococcus aureus quantitation using ¹⁵N metabolically labeled bacteriophage amplification coupled with a multiple reaction monitoring proteomic workflow.

A multiple reaction monitoring liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometric detection for quantitation of Staphylococcus aureus via phage amplification detection is described. This phage amplification detection method enables rapid and accurate quantitation of viable S. aureus by detecting an amplified capsid protein from a specific phage.

The role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in pediatric patients.

Like in the adult population, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly used agents for their anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic effects in pediatrics. They are also used for some distinct indications in pediatrics such as Kawasaki disease, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure, and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). The primary mechanism thought to cause their therapeutic effects is the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.