Tufts University

About: Tufts University is a education organization based out in Medford, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 32800 authors who have published 66881 publications receiving 3451152 citations. The organization is also known as: Tufts College & Universitatis Tuftensis.

Evaluation of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Equation in a Large Diverse Population

Abstract: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates facilitate detection of chronic kidney disease. Performance of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation varies substantially among populations. To describe the performance of the equation in a large, diverse population, estimated GFR (eGFR) was compared to measured GFR (mGFR) in a cross-sectional analysis of 5504 participants in 10 studies that included measurements of standardized serum creatinine and urinary clearance of iothalamate. At eGFR or =60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). The accuracy of the equation, measured by the percent of estimates that fell within 30% of mGFR, was similar for eGFR values above or below 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (82% and 84%, respectively). Differences in performance among subgroups defined by age, sex, race, diabetes, transplant status, and body mass index were small when eGFR was <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). The MDRD Study equation therefore provides unbiased and reasonably accurate estimates across a wide range of subgroups when eGFR is <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). In individual patients, interpretation of GFR estimates near 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) should be interpreted with caution to avoid misclassification of chronic kidney disease in the context of the clinical setting.

Effect of Age, Gender, and Obesity on Midazolam Kinetics

Abstract: The effects of age, sex, and obesity on the kinetics of single intravenous (iv) and oral doses of midazolam were evaluated in healthy volunteers who received 2.5-5 mg of iv midazolam on one occasion and 5-10 mg orally on another. Kinetics were determined from multiple plasma midazolam concentrations measured during 24 h after dosage. Midazolam elimination half-life (t1/2) after iv dosage was significantly prolonged in elderly (aged 60-74 yr) versus young (24-33 yr) males (5.6 vs. 2.1 hours, P less than 0.01) and total clearance was significantly reduced (4.4 vs. 7.8 ml X min-1 X kg-1, P less than 0.01), leading to increased systemic availability of the oral dose (50% vs. 41%, P less than 0.05). However total volume of distribution calculated by the area method (Vd) (1.6 vs. 1.3 1/kg) and protein binding (3.5 vs. 3.4% unbound) did not differ between groups. Among women there were no significant differences between elderly (64-79 yr) and young (23-37 yr) volunteers in t1/2 (4.0 vs. 2.6 h), clearance (7.5 vs. 9.4 ml X min-1 X kg-1), Vd (2.1 vs. 2.0 1/kg), protein binding (3.7% vs. 3.7% unbound), or oral bioavailability (38% vs. 36%). In obese volunteers (mean weight 117 kg; 173% of ideal weight) versus control subjects of normal weight (66 kg, 95% of ideal weight) matched for age, sex, and smoking habits, midazolam Vd was increased significantly (311 vs. 114 1, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Factors impacting on the problem of antibiotic resistance

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance has become a major clinical and public health problem within the lifetime of most people living today. Confronted by increasing amounts of antibiotics over the past 60 years, bacteria have responded to the deluge with the propagation of progeny no longer susceptible to them. While it is clear that antibiotics are pivotal in the selection of bacterial resistance, the spread of resistance genes and of resistant bacteria also contributes to the problem. Selection of resistant forms can occur during or after antimicrobial treatment; antibiotic residues can be found in the environment for long periods of time after treatment. Besides antibiotics, there is the mounting use of other agents aimed at destroying bacteria, namely the surface antibacterials now available in many household products. These too enter the environment. The stage is thus set for an altered microbial ecology, not only in terms of resistant versus susceptible bacteria, but also in terms of the kinds of microorganisms surviving in the treated environment. We currently face multiresistant infectious disease organisms that are difficult and, sometimes, impossible to treat successfully. In order to curb the resistance problem, we must encourage the return of the susceptible commensal flora. They are our best allies in reversing antibiotic resistance.