Changes in international normalized ratio (INR) and model for endstage liver disease (MELD) based on selection of clinical laboratory

Priority for liver transplantation is based on the Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) score, a mathematical function which includes international normalized ratio (INR). We present an analysis to determine the lab-to-lab variation in INR at 14 clinical laboratories across the United States. We performed a survey to identify representative clinical laboratories across the United States, where INR was measured in the determination of MELD score. Five 'standard' samples for INR were formulated and were sent to the 14 clinical laboratories to determine variation in INR and MELD score. Among the 14 clinical laboratories, the range in INR for the five samples was: sample 1 (1.2-2.0), sample 2 (1.4-2.5), sample 3 (1.7-3.4), sample 4 (1.9-3.7) and sample 5 (2.4-5.1). The range in calculated MELD score was: sample 1 (8-14), sample 2 (10-17), sample 3 (12-20), sample 4 (14-21) and sample 5 (16-25). The selection of the clinical laboratory used to determine INR may result in substantial changes in MELD score independent of severity-of-illness. These data suggest that further review of interlaboratory variation in MELD should be undertaken because of the potential impact on prioritization for liver transplantation.

Phase I trial of bortezomib in adults with recurrent malignant glioma

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Background: Bortezomib is a selective inhibitor of the proteasome that has been approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and has also shown promising evidence of clinical activity against solid tumors. This study was undertaken to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity profile, and biologic activity of bortezomib for the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma (MG). Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had supratentorial progressive MG upon radiotherapy and ≤ 1 prior regimen of chemotherapy. Dose escalation was conducted separately for pts taking enzyme inducing antiseizure drugs (EIASD+) and for those not (EIASD-). Bortezomib was given by bolus iv injection on weeks 1 and 2 of each 3 week cycle of therapy. The starting dose in both groups was 0.9 mg/m2. Cohorts of at least 3 patients were evaluated at each dose level. 20S proteasome activity was determined in whole blood lysates before and at 1 and 24 h after the first dose. Results: Fifty-nine evaluable pts (41 male/18 female) with a median age of 51 years and median KPS of 90% have been enrolled. All but 2 pts had received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen. In the EIASD- group, the weekly dose was escalated from 0.9 to 1.9 mg/m2 through 3 intermediate dose levels, with 1.7 mg/m2 established as the MTD. DLT experienced by 2 of 6 pts in the 1.90 mg/m2 dose level were grade 3 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 fatigue plus neurosensory toxicities. In the EIASD+ group, the dose has been escalated to 2.3 mg/m2 without the occurrence of any DLT. Ten additional EIASD- pts were treated at 1.7 mg/m2, with the most common adverse events being thrombocytopenia and peripheral neuropathy. The extent of proteasome inhibition in whole blood increased in a dose-dependent manner in both treatment groups. Mean proteasome inhibition in EIASD+ pts 1 h after receiving 2.1 mg/m2 of bortezomib (77 ± 12%) was similar to the 1.7 mg/m2 dose in EIASD- pts (79 ± 6%). Conclusions: The MTD for the weekly x 2 schedule of bortezomib in EIASD- patients, 1.7 mg/m2, is higher than the approved dose of 1.3 mg/m2 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The enhanced tolerability of the drug when given together with EIASDs, for which the MTD is at least 2.1 mg/m2, is consistent with the diminished inhibition of 20S proteasome activity in these pts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Packing fractions and maximum angles of stability of granular materials

In two-dimensional rotating drum experiments, we find two separate influences of the packing fraction of a granular heap on its stability. For a fixed grain shape, the stability increases with packing fraction. However, in determining the relative stability of different grain shapes, those with the lowest average packing fractions tend to form the most stable heaps. We also show that only the configuration close to the surface of the pile figures prominently.

Nerve globins in invertebrates

The expression of nerve hemoglobins in invertebrates is a well-established fact, but this occurrence is uncommon. In the species where nerve globins occur, they probably function as an oxygen store for sustaining activity of the nerves during anoxic conditions. Although invertebrate nerve globins are functionally similar with respect to O2 affinity, they are by no means uniform in structure and can differ in size, cellular localization and heme-coordination. The best-studied nerve globin is the mini-globin of Cerebratulus lacteus, which belongs to a class of globins containing the polar TyrB10/GlnE7 pair in the distal pocket. The amide and phenol side chains normally cause low rates of O2 dissociation and ultra-high O2 affinity by forming strong hydrogen bonds with bound ligands. Cerebratulus hemoglobin, however, has a moderate O2 affinity, due to the presence of a third polar amino-acid in its active site, ThrE11, which inhibits hydrogen bonding to bound oxygen by the B10 tyrosine side chain.

A national retinal screening programme for diabetes in Scotland

The Health Technology Board Scotland (HTBS) have issued recommendations for eye screening in patients with diabetes. These are based on evidence-based clinical studies. Evidence-based studies do not answer all the practical issues, and some conclusions have thus been extrapolated from the known evidence base. Other factors such as patient issues, organizational issues and cost effectiveness have also been incorporated into the recommendations. HTBS recommend single-field digital retinal photography. Retinal photography best addresses the issues of adequate sensitivity and accountable quality assurance. Non-mydriatic photography is recommended, followed by immediate use of dilating eye drops if it is unsuccessful, followed by slit-lamp examination if both of these approaches fail. An independent grading scheme has been established, which is similar to the 'Global', and compatible with the National Screening Committee (NSC) grading scheme. The rationale for these recommendations, and debate behind some of the decisions, is laid out in this article.

The value of digital imaging in diabetic retinopathy

OBJECTIVES

To assess the performance of digital imaging, compared with other modalities, in screening for and monitoring the development of diabetic retinopathy.

DESIGN

All imaging was acquired at a hospital assessment clinic. Subsequently, study optometrists examined the patients in their own premises. A subset of patients also had fluorescein angiography performed every 6 months.

SETTING

Research clinic at the hospital eye clinic and optometrists' own premises.

PARTICIPANTS

Study comprised 103 patients who had type 1 diabetes mellitus, 481 had type 2 diabetes mellitus and two had secondary diabetes mellitus; 157 (26.8%) had some form of retinopathy ('any') and 58 (9.9%) had referable retinopathy.

INTERVENTIONS

A repeat assessment was carried out of all patients 1 year after their initial assessment. Patients who had more severe forms of retinopathy were monitored more frequently for evidence of progression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Detection of retinopathy, progression of retinopathy and determination of when treatment is required.

RESULTS

Manual grading of 35-mm colour slides produced the highest sensitivity and specificity figures, with optometrist examination recording most false negatives. Manual and automated analysis of digital images had intermediate sensitivity. Both manual grading of 35-mm colour slides and digital images gave sensitivities of over 90% with few false positives. Digital imaging produced 50% fewer ungradable images than colour slides. This part of the study was limited as patients with the more severe levels of retinopathy opted for treatment. There was an increase in the number of microaneurysms in those patients who developed from mild to moderate. There was no difference between the turnover rate of either new or regressed microaneurysms for patients with mild or with sight-threatening retinopathy. It was not possible in this study to ascertain whether digital imaging systems determine when treatment is warranted.

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of a national screening programme for referable retinopathy, digital imaging is an effective method. In addition, technical failure rates are lower with digital imaging than conventional photography. Digital imaging is also a more sensitive technique than slit-lamp examination by optometrists. Automated grading can improve efficiency by correctly identifying just under half the population as having no retinopathy. Recommendations for future research include: investigating whether the nasal field is required for grading; a large screening programme is required to ascertain if automated grading can safely perform as a first-level grader; if colour improves the performance of grading digital images; investigating methods to ensure effective uptake in a diabetic retinopathy screening programme.

All prompts are created equal, but some prompts are more equal than others

Scores assigned to college placement essays by a computer program (PEG) showed high agreement with the evaluations of human readers (r =.82). Further, both types of graders tended to assign higher or lower scores to essays written about particular topics. Content analyses by a second program (MCCA) indicated that themes in essays varied in terms of emphasis on "analytic," "emotional," or "practical" dimensions. Human and machine readers tended to give higher scores for analytic and practical themes, and lower scores for those involving emotion. The ranks of mean prompt-related grades were concordant with the ranks of mean analytic and practical content across topics. Such findings call for the refined standardization of prompts for future testing, and the need for care in the evaluation of existing essays.

Multiple maltreatment, attribution of blame, and adjustment among adolescents

The study examined the predictive utility of blame attributions for maltreatment. Integrating theory and research on blame attribution, it was predicted that self-blame would mediate or moderate internalizing problems, whereas other-blame would mediate or moderate externalizing problems. Mediator and moderator models were tested separately. Adolescents (N = 160, ages 11-17 years) were randomly selected from the open caseload of a child protection agency. Participants made global maltreatment severity ratings for each of physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect. sexual abuse, and exposure to family violence. Participants also completed the Attribution for Maltreatment Interview (AFMI), a structured clinical interview that assessed self- and perpetrator blame for each type of maltreatment they experienced. The AFMI yielded five subscales: self-blaming cognition, self-blaming affect, self-excusing. perpetrator blame, and perpetrator excusing. Caretaker-reported (Child Behavior Checklist) and self-reported (Youth Self Report) internalizing and externalizing were the adjustment criteria. Controlling for maltreatment severity, the AFMI subscales explained significant variance in self-reported adjustment. Self-blaming affect was the most potent attribution, particularly among females. Attributions mediated maltreatment severity for self-reported adjustment but moderated it for caretaker-reported adjustment. The sophistication and relevance of blame attributions to adjustment are discussed, and implications for research and clinical practice are identified.