Career Placement of Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates at Eight U.S. Midwestern Schools

Objective. To characterize postgraduation placement plans of 2013 doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates.Methods. A cross-sectional survey of PharmD graduates from 8 midwestern colleges of pharmacy was designed to capture a comprehensive picture of graduating students’ experiences and outcomes of their job search.Results. At graduation, 81% of 2013 respondents had postgraduate plans, with approximately 40% accepting jobs and 40% accepting residencies or fellowships. Eighty-four percent of graduates reported being pleased with offers received, and 86% received placement in their preferred practice setting. Students perceived that securing residencies was more difficult than securing jobs. Students who participated in key activities had a nearly sevenfold increase in successful residency placement.Conclusion. While the demand for pharmacists decreased in recent years, responses indicated successful placement by the majority of 2013 graduates at the time of graduation.     

Enhancement of thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS films by post-treatment with a superacid

Several methods such as the addition of a polar solvent, an acid as well as various post-treatments have been used to improve the thermoelectric performance of conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films. This paper reports a method using a superacid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, in methanol to treat PEDO:PSS films to improve their thermoelectric performance. Treatment of PEDOT:PSS films with this superacid in methanol leads to a significant increase in electrical conductivity from 0.7 to 2980 S cm⁻¹ together with a moderate increase in Seebeck coefficient from 17.6 to 21.9 μV K⁻¹, giving a power factor of 142 μW m⁻¹ K⁻², one of the highest values reported in the literature for conductive polymers. The figure of merit (ZT) value is estimated to be 0.19 under optimized conditions. The enhancement of thermoelectric performance, particularly the increase in both electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, is due to the removal of the insulating component and polymer chain realignment giving in turn a denser packing of the conductive PEDOT polymer chains. This post-treatment method would offer an alternative way to improve the thermoelectric performance.

Treatment of PEDOT:PSS films with a superacid results in remarkable improvement of thermoelectric performance with a power factor of 142 μW m⁻¹ K⁻².     

COVID-19 associated coagulopathy in critically ill patients: A hypercoagulable state demonstrated by parameters of haemostasis and clot waveform analysis

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Patients with COVID-19 are known to be at risk of developing both venous, arterial and microvascular thrombosis, due to an excessive immuno-thrombogenic...     

Sodium-based osmotherapy for hyponatremia in acute decompensated heart failure

Heart Failure Reviews - Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) accounts for more than 1 million hospital admissions annually and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Decongestion with...     

The prevalence and nature of podiatric problems in elderly diabetic patients

To determine if diabetes in the elderly is associated with increased prevalence of podiatric problems, a random sample of diabetic patients (n = 74) was compared to a group of elderly non-diabetic patients (n = 79). The two groups were comparable in age (range 70-90 years), smoking habits, and consumption of alcohol. The mean duration of diabetes was 14.5 +/- 11.7 years (+/- SD), and mean serum fructosamine level was 3.3 +/- 0.66 mmol/L. The number of medical diagnoses and medications used was significantly higher in the diabetic group. Diabetic patients had modestly higher prevalence of neuropathy, vascular disease, kidney disease, and eye complications. The most common podiatric problem in both groups was elongated toenails. The prevalence of podiatric problems such as cellulitis, amputation, tinea pedia, onychomycosis, calluses, bunions, and hammer toe deformity were not increased in diabetic patients. Active foot ulcers were more common in diabetic patients (13/74 vs 5/79, P less than 0.05). It is concluded that diabetes in the elderly, unlike in young patients, increases the risk of foot problems only marginally.     

Benzocaine-Induced Methemoglobinemia—Two Case Reports Related to Transesophageal Echocardiography Premedication

Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening complication. We report two cases of methemoglobinemia due to topical benzocaine spray used as premedication for transesophageal echocardiography. A high index of suspicion is needed for this readily treatable condition.     

Feasibility and Timing of Prehospital Administration of Reteplase in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: In myocardial infarction patients undergoing thrombolysis, treatment delays negatively impact outcomes. This pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and timing of field administration of intravenous double bolus reteplase in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: Sixty three patients with symptoms and EKG changes consistent with acute myocardial infarction of less than six hours duration received the first bolus of reteplase before arriving at the emergency department. A second bolus of reteplase was given in the emergency department. Subsequent resolution of ST-segment elevation was measured. Mean time from symptom onset to paramedic dispatch, and paramedic arrivals to first bolus of reteplase were measured. The mean time from the first bolus of reteplase to heparin bolus in an emergency department was also measured. All patients with evidence of ST-elevation and suspected acute myocardial infarction gave consent for the thrombolytic therapy. There were no refusals of therapy among those candidates eligible for thrombolysis. Results: The mean times from the first bolus of reteplase to heparin bolus in the emergency department was substantially longer than the in-field times. Resolution of ST-segment elevation was recorded in 52 of the 63 patients and the times of resolution ranged from five minutes after the first bolus dose to 190 minutes after the second bolus of reteplase. Resolution of ST-segment elevation and relief of pain occurred almost simultaneously. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that in-field administration of thrombolytic therapy is a viable option to reduce the delay from symptom onset to initiation of thrombolysis. They demonstrated that satisfactory resolution of ST-segment elevation can be recorded in the field. The reduction in mortality observed in this study is comparable to previously published studies on inpatients. Abbreviated Abstract. This open-label pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and timing of field administration of intravenous double-bolus reteplase and to measure subsequent resolution of ST elevation in 63 patients with symptoms and ECG changes consistent with acute myocardial infarction for less than 6 hours. These results demonstrated that in-field administration of thrombolytic therapy is a viable option to reduce the delay from symptom onset to initiation of thrombolytic therapy.     

Measles virus serology in Crohn''s disease.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that measles virus infection in early life may predispose to Crohn's disease. AIMS: To examine using serological methods a potential association between measles virus infection in early life and predisposition to Crohn's disease. SUBJECTS: Forty five patients with Crohn's disease and forty five healthy controls were studied prospectively. METHODS: Clinical data were recorded and serum was analysed for measles virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibody titres by a complement fixation test (CFT), and for measles virus IgM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Reciprocal CFT titres for measles virus were lower in patients with Crohn's disease compared with controls (p < 0.05); there was no significant difference in titres for other viruses. None of the subjects studied had a level of measles virus IgM suggestive of acute infection, and there was no significant difference in measles virus IgM levels between patients and controls. The measles virus CFT titres and IgM levels in the patients with Crohn's disease did not correlate with any of the clinical features recorded. CONCLUSION: This study does not provide supportive evidence for a role for measles virus in the aetiology of Crohn's disease.