Evaluating the ability of posterior elements to support new instrumentation for spinal fusion

Posterior spinal plating devices have recently made a re-emergence as both stand-alone devices and for use in conjunction with anterior fusion. Yet, the structural integrity of the posterior elements to support loads throughout the spine and the impact of plating on posterior element strength has not been well characterized. This study aims to quantify the mechanical strength of the posterior elements (spinous processes/laminae) throughout the spine and to determine the effect of attaching posterior element plating systems on their ultimate load to failure. Vertebral levels from six cadaveric spines were grouped in pairs to account for varying geometries and sizes of the human posterior elements (a total of 59 levels in 5 groups). One sample from each pair was tested in its native state, and the complementary vertebra was tested via posterior plating. Posterior element plating caused moderate reductions in posterior element failure strength (15-24 percent) throughout the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Bone mineral density of the posterior elements had the most significant impact on ultimate load to failure (a decrease of 0.1 g/cm3, yields a 189N reduction in). The modest structural impact of posterior element plating motivates continued investigation into potential use of less invasive plating devices for posterior spinal fusion.

A randomized phase II non-comparative study of Ispinesib given weekly or every three weeks in metastatic colorectal cancer. A California Cancer Consortium Study (CCC-P)

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Background: Ispinesib(SB-715992) is a polycyclic, nitrogen-containing heterocycle that inhibits the mitotic kinesin spindle protein (KSP). KSP is essential for mitotic spindle assembly and function during mitosis, and is a rational target of anti-cancer therapy. This phase II study used two different dosing schedules; the primary objective was to determine the response rate (RR) and the secondary objectives were to determine time to tumor progression (TTP), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Methods: Patients (pts) were randomized to receive (Arm A) ispinesib 7 mg/m2 every week for 3 weeks, every 28 days or (Arm B) 18 mg/m2 every 21 days. Response was assessed every 6 weeks. Chemotherapy was administered until disease progression or intolerance. Results: A total of 64 pts were accrued. The median number of cycles was 2 for both arms. Five pts had stable disease and 48 had progressive disease. PFS was 49 days in Arm A (44 to 51) and 37 days in Arm B (35 to 42 days). The most common grade 3/4 toxicities in arms A and B respectively included neutropenia (3 and 20), nausea and vomiting (3 and 1), neurologic (1 and 2). Of these, only 1 pt had febrile neutropenia and 1 pt had peripheral sensory neuropathy. The toxicity data is not available on 2 patients. Eleven pts are not evaluable for response yet. Conclusions: Ispinesib did not demonstrate significant activity in heavily pretreated patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer at the dose and schedule employed in this trial. Correlative studies are in progress. Supported by NO1 CM17101

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No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of lapatinib, a dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase 1 and 2 (Her2/Neu) in patients (pts) with advanced biliary tree cancer (BTC) or hepatocellular cancer (HCC). A California Consortium (CCC-P) Trial

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Background: Advanced BTC (gallbladder, bile duct) and HCC respond poorly to systemic chemotherapy. Lapatinib is an oral inhibitor of EGFR and Her/2-neu with evidence of activity in a number of tumor types. Both BTC and HCC overexpress EGFR 1 and 2. In addition, Her2/neu somatic mutations have been reported in HCC, and may predict response to EGFR targeted agents (Bekaii-Saab et al, A 4037, ASCO 2005). This trial conducted by the CCC-P and Univ. Chicago, is designed to determine the efficacy of lapatinib in BTC and HCC pts. Methods: A two-stage design is utilized and pts are stratified by tumor type (BTC or HCC); the study has a 90% power to detect a true response rate ≥20%. Two initial groups of 17 patients for BTC and HCC were accrued; one response from each was required to proceed with accrual to a total of 37 patients in each group. Adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function is required. Eligible pts are in Child A group and have ECOG PS of 0–2. One prior treatment regimen is allowed. Lapatinib dose is 1,500 mg/d orally without interruption. One cycle is 28 days and radiological assessment is done every 8 weeks. Results: 49 pts have been accrued (BTC 19 and HCC 30). Pt Characteristics: Male 59%, ECOG PS 0 (18 pts), ECOG PS 1 (22 pts). Median age 66 yrs (range19–82). Median cycles 2 (range 1–12). Grade 3/4 toxicity was noted in 19 pts and included fatigue in 4 pts, elevation of liver enzymes in 4 pts and diarrhea in 2 pts. Nausea, vomiting, rash, anemia and thrombocytopenia were noted in 1 pt each. There was no evidence of cardiac dysfunction. In 17 evaulable pts with BTC, no responses were observed, 5 had stable disease (SD). Among the first 17 pts with HCC, 2 confirmed partial responses have been recorded. In addition 8 pts have SD. The progression free survival is 1.8 mo for both BTC and HCC. Tumor and blood specimens are being analyzed for expression of EGFR, HER-2/neu, status of downstream signal pathway molecules, and correlation to response. Conclusions: Lapatinib is well-tolerated. No activity in BTC was noted and that cohort is closed. Lapatinib activity in HCC is encouraging, and study is close to completion. Source of support: NCI-NO1-CM-57018–16.

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A phase II trial of the epothilone B analog BMS-247550 in patients (pts) with hepatobiliary cancer (HBC): An updated analysis

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Background: BMS-247550 is a semi-synthetic analog of epothilone B that induces mitotic arrest at G2M by microtubule stabilization. We previously reported (Proc ASCO 2003) a RR of 17% in HBC and present our final analysis. Methods: Pts with histologically confirmed hepatocellular cancer (HCC), gallbladder cancer (GB) and cholangiocarcinoma (C) were eligible. Pts had no prior chemotherapy, PS 0–2 and ≤ grade 1 neuropathy. Pts received BMS-247550 40mg/m2 intravenously over 3 hours every 21 days. A Simon, optimal two-stage design was employed. We proceeded to the 2nd stage of accrual after 3 confirmed PRs in the first 21 pts. Primary endpoint: Response rate (RR). Results: From 1/02–4/05, 54 pts (52% male) were enrolled, 53 pts evaluable for toxicity, 48 pts evaluable for response. 1 pt was ineligible due to incorrect diagnosis but evaluated for toxicity. Pt characteristics: median age 65 (range 19–88); ECOG performance status 0(48%), 1(48%), 2(4%); HCC (38%), GB (40%), C (22%); metastatic disease (75%); 129 cycles were administered (median 2; range 1–14). There were 3 Gr 5 toxicities: 1 pt died unexpectedly 48 hours within drug administration; 1 complication of neutropenic fever; 1 found unresponsive after fall. Gr 3–4 toxicities (% pts): neutropenia (39%), neutropenic fever (6%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (2%), nausea (13%), transaminase elevation (9%), fatigue (7%), and hypersensitivity (4%). Neuropathy: Gr 3–4 (5%); Gr 1–2 (39%). 3 pts were removed from study due to persistent neuropathy. Responses: 8% PR (2 HCC, 1 GB, 1C); 56% SD. 4/7 HCC pts received ≥ 10 cycles. Median survival: 7 months [95% CI (5.0, 10.8)]; PFS: 2.6 months [95% CI [1.4, 4.1)]; Conclusions: Despite initial tumor responses and a few pts with prolonged SD in HCC, BMS-247550 does not appear to have clinically significant activity in HBC. Supported by NCI grant N01-CM-17102.

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Predicting turnover and retention in nursing home administrators: management and policy implications

Administrator turnover and its impact on the quality of patient care are important concerns in the nursing home industry. This study evaluates a model to determine which factors, attitudes, and personal characteristics can predict tenure. Responses to a survey from 290 nursing home administrators (NHAs) who furnished data on their previous positions were analyzed using logistic regression methods. The extracted model correlates tenure with the administrator's past patterns of stability, community attachment, organizational commitment, and facility performance. The model is particularly effective (85% accuracy) in flagging NHAs who are likely to depart within their first 3 years of employment. Implications of these findings for recruitment, retention, and licensure policy are discussed.

Physician practice characteristics and satisfaction: a rural-urban comparison of medical directors at U.S. Community and Migrant Health Centers

For this study, the association between physician practice characteristics and satisfaction of medical directors at rural and urban Community and Migrant Health Centers (C/MHCs) was investigated. Data for this study came from a 1996 cross-sectional survey of C/MHCs' medical directors. A total of 411 centers (68.3 percent) responded to the survey, including 240 rural (67.4 percent) and 171 urban (68.7 percent) C/MHCs. Factor analysis was used to synthesize physician practice characteristics related to overall satisfaction. The resulting factors were entered as new variables in a predictive logistic regression model of overall satisfaction. Growing up in an inner-city community was significantly associated with practicing in an urban center; whereas, growing up in a rural or frontier community was more likely to result in practicing in a rural center. The majority of medical directors (82.3 percent) were either somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their work. Satisfaction with work was most significantly associated with overall level of satisfaction, followed by satisfaction with administration, peers and patients. Recruitment efforts are more likely to succeed when they target individuals with prior exposure to underserved areas. Improving the working conditions and interactions with administrators would help sustain the high level of satisfaction experienced by medical directors at C/MHCs.

Retention of administrators in nursing homes: what can management do?

Annual turnover among nursing home administrators may be 40% or higher. To investigate the factors that could lead to greater administrator retention, responses to a survey (53% response rate) were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple regression models. Results show that higher retention is observed when administrators are allowed to function independently, are involved in decision making, are treated fairly, and are given reasonable goals to achieve. Organizations must hire administrators whose values match theirs. Multifacility chain organizations and for-profit facilities appear to have a greater need to embrace organizational principles that lead to greater job satisfaction.

A comparison of academic curricula in the MPH and MHA-type degrees in health administration at the accredited schools of public health

Based on a survey of the departments of health services administration in accredited schools of public health, this study presents (1) a profile of the M.P.H. and M.H.A. (and similar) programs concentrating in health administration, and (2) a comparison of the M.P.H. and M.H.A. degrees. All 27 schools currently accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) are represented in this research. The curriculum from each school was broken down and classified into eight components: (1) epidemiology, (2) statistics, (3) accounting/finance, (4) management theory, (5) management application, (6) public health policy, (7) electives, and (8) other. That the M.H.A. programs compared to the M.P.H. programs, have higher course requirements to furnish skills in business management and quantitative/analytical areas is the main hypothesis tested. Statistically significant differences were found in seven of the eight curriculum components for M.P.H. and M.H.A. degrees. Overall, the M.H.A. degree was found to be more rigorous in applied management and analytical courses. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

How well trained are nursing home administrators?

Nursing home administrators represent wide variations in academic training. General education levels do not seem to affect administrative preparation in key domains of practice--specific academic fields of study are more relevant. Hence, sole emphasis on higher educational requirements for licensure appears to be a misdirected strategy for improving quality of care and enhancing management efficiencies in nursing homes. Educational paradigms studied have strengths and weakness in furnishing various job skills. These results are helpful in defining strategic actions for addressing both current deficiencies and future training needs. A specialized long-term care model that incorporates appropriate clinical and business skills is recommended. The roles of continuing education and executive educational offerings also need streamlining. These initiatives would require a joint effort from policymakers, academicians, and practitioners.

18th Sir Hans Krebs lecture. Knowledge-based protein modelling and design

A systematic technique for protein modelling that is applicable to the design of drugs, peptide vaccines and novel proteins is described. Our approach is knowledge-based, depending on the structures of homologous or analogous proteins and more generally on a relational data base of protein three-dimensional structures. The procedure simultaneously aligns the known tertiary structures, selects fragments from the structurally conserved regions on the basis of sequence homology, aligns these with the 'average structure' or 'framework', builds on the loops selected from homologous proteins or a wider database, substitutes sidechains and energy minimises the resultant model. Applications to modelling an homologous structure, tissue plasminogen activator on the basis of another serine proteinase, and to modelling an analogous protein, HIV viral proteinase on the basis of aspartic proteinases, are described. The converse problem of ab initio design is also addressed: this involves the selection of an amino acid sequence to give a particular tertiary structure, in this case a symmetrical domain of two Greek-key motifs.