Impact of a clinical pharmacist on antibiotic prescribing. A multicenter trial.

Within the past two decades, hospital pharmacists have become increasingly involved in providing consultation to physicians for drug management. Antibiotic use has become a complex and rapidly expanding discipline, complicated by the introduction of multiple new antimicrobial agents, each with unique features, and the pressures of prospective payment schemes. This study demonstrated that a team including a pharmacist had a positive impact on medical residents' utilization of antibiotics.     

Congenital esophageal stenosis presenting as noncardiac,esophageal chest pain

Summary A case of a 31-year-old female with congenital esophageal stenosis presenting with symptoms of chest pain caused by esophageal dysmotility is described. The involved segment in congenital esophageal stenosis has a characteristic thickening of the muscularis propria layer, as seen by EUS examination. In these patients, symptoms of dysphagia can be managed with esophageal dilation and noncardiac esophageal chest pain responds to pharmacotherapy with diltiazem.The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private ones of the authors and are not to be construed as official policy or reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense.     

表小檗碱对α受体的作用

表小檗碱(epiberberine,EB)是从湖北产黄连(Coptis chinensis Franch)中提取的一种生物碱,属苯喹嗪类原小檗碱,对其药理作用的研究资料甚少,未见其对α肾上腺素体作用的报道。资料表明,许多原小檗碱类化合物有α受体阻滞作用,为从该类化合物中选择     

Pain and faulty breathing: a pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study was to observe both relaxed and deep breathing patterns in a convenience sample to determine the incidence of normal versus faulty patterns of respiration. These observations were then combined with respondent answers to a survey on pain history to determine if there is any correlation between faulty breathing and musculo-skeletal pain patterns. If such a correlation can be made, then we propose that clinicians working with chronic pain patients may have improved outcomes if they address and correct faulty breathing patterns. Based on this study, it is suggested to include the evaluation and treatment of faulty respiration in the rehabilitation of chronic musculo-skeletal conditions, most notably cervical pain.     

Precholecystectomy endoscopic cholangiography and stone removal is not superior to cholecystectomy, cholangiography, and common duct exploration.

Thirty-four patients with suspected common bile duct stones were randomized to undergo endoscopic cholangiography and stone removal prior to open cholecystectomy or to have open cholecystectomy, operative cholangiography, and common bile duct exploration. Sixteen underwent the first protocol, and 18 the second. Analysis of the ability to clear stones from the common bile duct, morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, length of operation, and hospital cost showed no difference in outcome between patients treated by either method. These data suggest there is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage to treating patients with suspected duct stones by precholecystectomy endoscopic cholangiography and stone removal.     

The combination oral and nutritional treatment of late-onset diabetes mellitus (CONTROL DM) trial results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of short-term improvements in glycaemic control on brachial artery endothelial function as a marker of cardiovascular health. METHODS: Persons with Type 2 diabetes who were poorly controlled on oral therapy were randomly assigned to monotherapy with repaglinide or combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation was assessed by ultrasonography at randomization and following 16 weeks of therapy. The primary outcome was change in brachial artery endothelial function from baseline. Comparison of randomized groups was a secondary aim. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants were randomized, and 83 were followed to study completion. Post occlusion brachial artery vasodilation was 3.74% at baseline and 3.82% following 16 weeks of therapy (P = 0.77). The treatment effect was 0.08% (95% CI: -0.48%, 0.64%). No difference was seen between treatment groups (P = 0.69). Overall, A1C was reduced from 8.3% to 7.0%, with a greater reduction in the combination therapy group (from 8.4% to 6.7%) than in the monotherapy group (from 8.3% to 7.3%, p for difference between groups = 0.01). Statistically significant reductions were observed in fasting glucose, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Statistically significant increases were observed for fasting insulin, uric acid, weight and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial artery endothelial function was not influenced by short-term improvements in glycaemic control. The CONTROL DM group was successful in lowering A1C. Future research should explore more intensive and longer-lasting improvements in glycaemic control on endothelial function. Some data previously published in abstract form (Diabetes 2001; 50 (Suppl. 2): A217).     

Urban malaria in Yaounde (Cameroon). 2. Entomologic study in 2 suburban districts]

A one year entomological survey was carried out to precise the malaria vectors and the malaria transmission in Yaounde, the Cameroon capital (800,000 inhabitants). The study was done in two districts not yet fully urbanized: Nkol Bikok and Nkol Bisson. The latter is located at the periphery and has a pool. Anopheles gambiae was the only human malaria vector. Its agressivity for man depended on the urbanization of the district. Annual man biting rate was 284 in Nkol Bikok and 1,813 in Nkol Bisson. The densities were maximum in May-June and in October-November, corresponding to the end of the short and long rainy seasons. The presence of A. gambiae was permanent except in August-September in Nkol Bikok. In Nkol Bisson the density was higher in the houses near the pool. The yearly inoculation rate (h) was 14 in Nkol Bikok and 30 in Nkol Bisson. The vectorial transmission was observed in may in Nkol Bikok and during four months (June, August, January, February) in Nkol Bisson. These entomological data showed clearly that malaria transmission actually occurred in Yaounde and that the probability to receive at least one infected anopheline bite per year was very near to 1 for inhabitants unprotected against mosquito bites.