Population Pharmacokinetics of Piperacillin in Non-Critically Ill Patients with Bacteremia Caused by Enterobacteriaceae.

This study analyzes the pharmacokinetic variability of piperacillin in non-critically ill patients with Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections (EBSI) and explores predicted clinical outcomes and piperacillin-related neurotoxicity under different renal conditions. Hospitalized, non-critically ill patients treated with piperacillin-tazobactam for EBSI were included. Four serum samples per patient were collected and analyzed.

Efficacy and Associated Drug Exposures of Isavuconazole and Fluconazole in an Experimental Model of Coccidioidomycosis.

spp. are important pathogens in regions where they are endemic, and new treatment options are needed. Here, isavuconazonium sulfate (ISAVUSULF) and fluconazole (FLU) were evaluated in experimental disseminated coccidioidomycosis to characterize drug exposures associated with efficacy.

Pneumococcal colonisation is an asymptomatic event in healthy adults using an experimental human colonisation model.

Introduction: Pneumococcal colonisation is regarded as a pre-requisite for developing pneumococcal disease. In children previous studies have reported pneumococcal colonisation to be a symptomatic event and described a relationship between symptom severity/frequency and colonisation density. The evidence for this in adults is lacking in the literature.

Symptoms associated with influenza vaccination and experimental human pneumococcal colonisation of the nasopharynx.

Background: Nasopharyngeal colonisation by S. pneumoniae is a prerequisite for invasive pneumococcal infections. Influenza co-infection leads to increased susceptibility to secondary pneumonia and mortality during influenza epidemics.

Amphotericin B Penetrates into the Central Nervous System Through Focal Disruption of the Blood Brain Barrier in Experimental Hematogenous Meningoencephalitis.

Hematogenous meningoencephalitis (HCME) is a life-threatening complication of neonates and immunocompromised children. Amphotericin B (AmB) shows poor permeability and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations, but is effective in treatment of HCME. In order to better understand the mechanism of CNS penetration of AmB, we hypothesized that AmB may achieve focally higher concentrations in infected CNS lesions.

Association of Serum Ustekinumab Levels With Clinical Response in Psoriasis.

Importance: High-cost biologic therapies have transformed the management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. To optimize outcomes and reduce costs, dose adjustment informed by measurement of circulating drug levels has been shown to be effective in various settings. However, limited evidence exists for this approach with the interleukin 12 and interleukin 23 inhibitor ustekinumab.

Pharmacodynamics of Isavuconazole in a Rabbit Model of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis.

spp., important fungal pathogens, are the leading cause of fungus-related mortality in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, and new therapeutic options are desperately needed. Isavuconazonium sulfate, a newer triazole antifungal agent, was studied to characterize the exposure-response relationship in a rabbit model of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.

Validation of age and height based formulae to predict paediatric airway distances - a prospective observational study.

Background: Preoperative airway evaluation in children is an important part of routine preanesthetic evaluation before surgery. External airway measurements, viz., thyromental, mentohyoid, and sternomental distances, while being growth dependent, could identify pediatric patients with potentially difficult airways.

Twenty-four hour pharmacokinetic relationships for intravenous vancomycin and novel urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in a rat model.

Objectives: To identify the pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicodynamic (TD) relationship for vancomycin-induced kidney injury.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intravenous (iv) vancomycin. Doses ranging from 150 mg/kg/day to 400 mg/kg/day were administered as a single or twice-daily injection over 24 h (total protocol duration).

Volatile organic compounds emitted from faeces as a biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The UK Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) has demonstrated that detection of colorectal cancer at an earlier stage and identification of advanced pre-malignant adenomas reduces mortality and morbidity.

Aim: To assess the utility of volatile organic compounds as a biomarker for colorectal neoplasia.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia/ Small-Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Sac: A Case Series.

Background: Lymphomas of the lacrimal sac are rare, accounting for less than 10% of lacrimal sac malignant tumours. They may present with symptoms typical of secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and are thus often misdiagnosed.

Methods: Case series and literature review.

Glimpses into the transition world: New graduate nurses' written reflections.

Background: This study was born out of our reflections as educators responsible for helping new graduate nurses transition into their first year of professional practice through a formal education programme. Finding ourselves wondering about many of the questions the students raised with us, we set about looking more closely at what could be gleaned from the students' experience, captured in their written work over the course of a year.

Objectives: To identify the challenges and learning experiences revealed in reflective assignments written by new graduate nurses undertaking a postgraduate course as part of their transition to registered nurse practice.

Health-related quality of life in alcohol dependence: Similar cross-cultural impact beyond specific drinking habits.

This study explores sociocultural differences in alcohol-related impact on quality of life between France and United Kingdom. We included 38 alcohol-dependent patients in France and United Kingdom in 10 focus groups. We used a text-mining approach.

Pulmonary infections in the returned traveller.

Pulmonary infections in the returned traveller are a common presentation. A wide variety of infections may present with pulmonary symptoms. It is important for clinicians to differentiate the cause of these symptoms.

Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma -- A Review.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is the most common intraocular lymphoma occurring in the eye. It is a high-grade typically B-cell malignancy, arising in the retina, and is often associated with central nervous system (CNS) disease and thereby a poor prognosis. It needs to be distinguished from choroidal low-grade B-cell lymphomas, which do not disseminate to the brain and have a good prognosis.

Lacrimal Sac Tumors--A Review.

Tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare but their recognition and early management are imperative, as they are locally invasive and potentially life-threatening. Because of their rarity, large clinical studies with statistically significant data on the natural course, management, and prognosis of these neoplasms are unavailable. Current practices are therefore based on a few case series and a small number of isolated case reports.

Dual-focus Magnification, High-Definition Endoscopy Improves Pathology Detection in Direct-to-Test Diagnostic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Background: In the UK, the majority of diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopies are a result of direct-to-test referral from the primary care physician. The diagnostic yield of these tests is relatively low, and the burden high on endoscopy services. Dual-focus magnification, high-definition endoscopy is expected to improve detection and classification of UGI mucosal lesions and also help minimize biopsies by allowing better targeting.