Chiropody May Prevent Amputations in Diabetic Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

← Background

A multidisciplinary approach has been shown to be of benefit in the prevention of lower limb ulceration and amputation in patients with diabetes, but there is less information on the role of such an approach in patients receiving dialysis treatment.

← Objective

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the institution of a chiropody program would result in fewer amputations in diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

← Design

Retrospective chart review.

← Setting

The PD program at a tertiary-care hospital.

← Patients

Patients with diabetes that were enrolled in the PD program between January 1997 and December 1999, inclusive, that were offered the opportunity to see a chiropodist, and that agreed to be seen. A total of 132 patients were included.

← Intervention

Education about foot care, assessment, and, in some instances, treatment by a chiropodist.

← Results

Patients with an amputation were more likely to be male ( p < 0.01) and have peripheral vascular disease ( p < 0.001) compared to those without an amputation. They also had a lower average mean arterial pressure ( p < 0.05), lower weekly creatinine clearance ( p < 0.01), higher mean erythropoietin dose ( p < 0.05), and longer duration of end-stage renal disease ( p < 0.001). Factors that were predictive of shorter time to death or amputation were older age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.03, p < 0.05], peripheral vascular disease (HR = 2.66, p < 0.01), and cerebrovascular disease (HR = 2.70, p < 0.01). Being seen by a chiropodist was protective (HR = 0.39, p < 0.01).

← Conclusion

The current study suggests that a chiropody program may help to prevent amputation in patients with diabetes on PD.

Effects of Intraperitoneal Hyaluronan on Peritoneal Fluid and Solute Transport in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

← Background

Hyaluronan (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan found in connective tissues and tissue spaces, including the peritoneal cavity. In vivo studies in a rat model of peritoneal dialysis (PD) have shown that addition of HA to PD solution during an intraperitoneal dwell can alter peritoneal fluid transport and protect the peritoneal membrane from the effects of inflammation and repeated infusions of dialysis solution. The current study sought to evaluate the safety of intraperitoneal HA and its effect on peritoneal fluid and solute transport when administered during a dialysis dwell in humans.

← Methods

13 PD patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized crossover study involving three dialysis treatments using the following PD solutions: ( 1 ) a commercially available PD solution (Dianeal PD-4, 1.36% glucose; Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Alliston, Ontario, Canada); ( 2 ) Dianeal PD-4 containing 0.1 g/L HA, and ( 3 ) Dianeal PD-4 containing 0.5 g/LHA. Each 6-hour dialysis exchange was separated from the other exchanges by a 2-week washout period. Radioiodinated human serum albumin (RISA) was administered with the dialysis solution to evaluate intraperitoneal volume, net ultrafiltration (UF), and fluid reabsorption. Peritoneal clearances, dialysate/plasma ratios (D/P), and mass transfer area coefficients (MTACs) were determined for sodium, urea, creatinine, albumin, and glucose. Safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse events and changes in serum chemistries. Ten patients completed all three dialysis exchanges and two additional patients completed at least one treatment exchange.

← Results

There were no reported adverse events related to HA administration and no significant changes in serum chemistries. There were no significant differences in net UF or peritoneal volume profiles among the three treatments. Mean net UF calculated using residual volumes, estimated by RISA dilution, tended to be slightly higher during treatment with solution containing 0.1 g/L HA and 0.5 g/L HA [74 ± 86 (SE) and 41 ± 99 mL, respectively] compared to control treatment (–58 ± 129 mL). Although not statistically significant, there was a trend toward decreased fluid reabsorption during treatment with HA. Solute clearances, D/P ratios, and MTACs were similar for the three treatments. Serum levels of HA were also unaffected by the two treatment solutions.

← Conclusions

These data support the acute safety of HA when administered intraperitoneally with the dialysis solution to PD patients. Due to the small sample size and variability in net UF and fluid reabsorption, statistically significant differences were not demonstrated for these parameters. However, a trend toward decreased fluid reabsorption was observed, suggesting that HA may act by a mechanism similar to that observed in animal studies. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether the beneficial effects of HA observed in animal studies can be shown in humans.

28 Can Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment be Achieved in the Emergency Department?

Background

Our National Health Service is facing unprecedented challenges to accommodate our frailer healthcare users. The gold standard tool for the identification and management of frailty is the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and has been shown to lead to better outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Introduction

With a largely elderly demographic profile in the East of England, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital opened the first Older People’s Emergency Department (OPED) in the UK in 2017. This work reviews the effectiveness of a geriatrician-led CGA in a dedicated OPED, which operates during daylight hours, compared to usual care in Accident & Emergency (A&E).

Methods

99 patients assessed in OPED and 99 patients assessed overnight in A&E during February 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Electronic case notes for each patient were reviewed by the authors and results were expressed as percentages.

Results

OPED outperformed A&E in all components of the CGA; strongest areas included assessing for pain, falls risk and activities of daily living. Both departments performed well in reviewing medications and assessing for safeguarding concerns. Areas for improvement include assessing for mood disorders, sensory impairment, discussing Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation status, and end of life care plans. The average length of stay of OPED patients was only 7.3 days compared to 8.7 days in A&E, and 89% of OPED patients were discharged back to their usual residences compared to 87% in A&E.

Conclusions

The improved CGA process in OPED has led to better outcomes, notably through a reduction in the average length of inpatient stay. Nevertheless, certain components of the CGA still require improvement. Further examination is needed to assess long-term mortality to support the use of CGA in the emergency setting.

Comparison of MICRO-ID Listeria Method with Conventional Biochemical Methods for Identification of Listeria Isolated From Food and Environmental Samples: Collaborative Study

Fourteen laboratories participated in a collaborative study to evaluate the ability of the MICRO-ID Listeria identification method to correctly identify Listeria isolated from food and environmental sources. Each collaborator received 60 isolates consisting of 51 Listeria and 9 non-Listeria cultures. All isolates were identified by conventional biochemical analyses in the principal laboratory. Cultures were checked for purity by Gram staining and examined for oxidase and catalase activities. Only Gram positive, oxidase negative, catalase positive cultures were tested with the method. Colonies from trypticase soy agar with 0.6% yeast extract were suspended in 4.6 ml_ physiological saline to a MacFarland No. 1 turbidity standard and used to inoculate the test strip. In addition, the hemolytic reaction of each isolate was determined by using the Christie-Atkins-Munch-Peterson (CAMP) test and by stabbing sheep blood agar. Identification of Listeria is based on the octal code obtained from the strip and the hemolytic reaction of the isolate. The MICRO-ID Listeria method agreed with conventional biochemical identification for 98.0% of L. monocytogenes, 77.1% of L. seeligeri, 98.0% of L ivanovii, 96.4% of L. grayi/L. murrayi, 73.9% of L. welshimeri, and 100% of L innocua isolates. A large percentage of errors in identification of the L. seeligeri and L ivanovii cultures was caused by inaccurate reading of the CAMP and hemolysis tests rather than errors in the test strip. The method was adopted first action by AOAC International.

The value of routine laboratory screening in the neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Healthcare spending is expected to grow faster than the economy over the next decade, and the cost of prematurity increases annually. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of intervention after routine laboratory testing in preterm infants.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of preterm infants (≤34 weeks) admitted to the NYU Langone Health NICU from June 2013 to December 2014. Data collected included demographics, results of laboratory tests, and resulting interventions. Intervention after a hemogram was defined as a blood transfusion. Intervention after a hepatic panel was defined as initiation or termination of ursodiol or change in dose of vitamin D. Subjects were stratified into 3 groups based on gestation (<28 weeks, 28-31 6/7 weeks, 32-34 weeks). Chi-square analysis was used to compare the frequency of intervention between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 135 subjects were included in the study. The frequency of intervention after a hemogram was 8.4% in infants <28 weeks, 4.6% in infants 28-31 6/7 weeks, and 0% in infants 32-34 weeks; this difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.02). The frequency of intervention after a hepatic panel was 4.2% in infants <28 weeks, 5.7% in infants 28-31 6/7 weeks, and 0% in infants 32-34 weeks, which was not found to be a statistically significant different.

CONCLUSION

No interventions were undertaken post-routine laboratory testing in any infant 32-34 weeks and routine testing in this population may be unnecessary. Further studies are needed to elucidate if routine testing affects neonatal outcomes.

Characterization of insulin and IGF-1 receptor binding in equine liver and lamellar tissue: implications for endocrinopathic laminitis

Although it is well established that equine laminitis can be triggered by extreme hyperinsulinemia, the mechanism of insulin action is not known. High concentrations of insulin lead to separation of the weight-bearing apparatus from the hoof wall and are associated with an increased cycle of cell death and proliferation in the lamellae. Gene expression and immunohistochemistry studies have indicated that the lamellae are sparsely populated with insulin receptors, whereas IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) are abundant, suggesting that the action of insulin may be mediated by insulin binding to the IGF-1R. To investigate this possibility, cell membrane fragments containing IGF-1R were extracted from the livers of 6 horses and the lamellae of >50 horses euthanized for nonresearch purposes at an abattoir. Radioligand-binding studies using ¹²⁵I-IGF-1 and ¹²⁵I-insulin confirmed an abundance of high-affinity IGF-1R in the liver (K_D 0.11 nM, B_max 223 fmol/mg protein) and lamellae (K_D 0.16 nM, B_max 243 fmol/mg protein). However, the affinity of insulin for binding to the lamellar IGF-1R (K_i 934 nM) was >5,800 fold less than that of IGF-1, suggesting that insulin is unlikely to bind to equine IGF-1R at physiological concentrations. Although insulin receptors could be detected in the liver (K_D 0.48 nM, B_max 123 fmol/mg protein), they were barely detectable in lamellae (estimated B_max 14 fmol/mg protein). There was no evidence to support the presence of insulin/IGF-1 hybrid receptors in either tissue. These findings suggest that insulin does not act directly through IGF-1 receptors and that an alternative theory is required to explain the mechanism of insulin action in laminitis.

Twelve tips for implementing effective service learning

Service learning is an educational methodology that facilitates transformation of students' knowledge, attitudes and attitudes around holistic care through work with community organizations. To implement academically, defensible service learning requires faculty endorsement, consideration of course credit, an enthusiastic champion able to negotiate agreements with organizations, organizations' identification of their own projects so they are willing to both fund and supervise them, curricular underpinning that imparts the project skills necessary for success, embedding at a time when students' clinical identity is being formed, small packets of curriculum elements delivered "just in time" as students engage with their project, flexible online platform/s, assessment that is organically related to the project, providing cross cultural up-skilling, and focused on the students' responsibility for their own product. The result is a learning experience that is engaging for medical students, links the university to the community, and encourages altruism which is otherwise reported to decline through medical school.

Maternal Grief: A Qualitative Investigation of Mothers’ Responses to the Death of a Child From Cancer

This study explored bereaved mothers’ responses to the death of a child from cancer, with a focus on identifying adaptive and complicated grief reactions. To understand the unique meaning of their loss, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 mothers at two time points. Interpretative phenomenological analysis—guided by meaning-making theories of loss—revealed five master categories: the perceptions of the child’s life with cancer and death from the disease, changed self-identity, coping style, developing an ongoing relationship to the deceased child, and the postdeath social environment. Each of these master categories and associated subthemes provided insights into the characteristics of the bereaved mothers’ adaptive and complicated grief responses to their loss. Given all the mothers evidenced multiple forms or types of these responses over time, they could not be categorized as adaptive or complicated grievers. However, the varying proportions of each of these responses highlighted differences in overall bereavement adaptation.