The role of pharmacists in the delivery of influenza vaccinations

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine whether influenza vaccine rates have increased in states where pharmacists can give vaccines. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from the years 1995 and 1999. Information regarding legislation allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines was obtained from the American Pharmaceutical Association. RESULTS: Individuals aged 65 years and older who lived in states where pharmacists could provide vaccines had significantly higher (P < 0.01) influenza vaccine rates than individuals of this age who resided in states where pharmacists could not provide vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Allowing pharmacists to provide vaccinations is associated with higher influenza vaccination rates for individuals aged 65 years and older.     

Sublethal pH decrease may cause genetic damage to eukaryotic cell: a study on sea urchins and Salmonella typhimurium

Further evidence is reported here of genetic and developmental damage that can be induced by a sublethal pH decrease. The effects of three inorganic acids (HCl, H2SO4, and H3PO4) on embryos and sperm from the sea urchins Sphaerechinus granularis and Paracentrotus lividus were evaluated. In addition, acidification of the medium was tested for spontaneous reversion to His+ prototrophy in Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535) up to toxic levels, by both liquid incubation and agar plate incorporation. The induction of developmental and mitotic abnormalities in S. granularis confirmed our previous observations on P. lividus. Embryotoxicity was exerted in S. granularis more severely by H3PO4 than by HCl or H2SO4 (pH 7 to 6), while the induction of mitotic abnormalities appeared at a pH of less than or equal to 6.5 irrespective of the acids used. By suspending S. granularis or P. lividus sperm in acidified filtered seawater (fsw) and then inseminating the eggs in natural fsw (pH = 8.0), the offspring showed developmental and mitotic abnormalities. Low-pH-induced spermiotoxicity was ruled out in our experiments, since fertilization success of acid-exposed sperm was actually enhanced, as compared to sperm suspended in untreated fsw. The exposure of S. typhimurium to different pH's (ranging from 4 to 9) invariably failed to induce any changes in reversion rates, regardless of the acids (or alkali) being used. These results suggest that extracellular acidification may cause sublethal damage that in turn leads to an impairment of mitotic activity and cell differentiation.     

Low daily dosage of interferon for 1 year after HCV‐related end‐therapy response. A randomized‐controlled study

Abstract: This randomized controlled study involved 236 1b genotype (121 males) naive patients with chronic hepatitis C. After a course of interferon (IFN)‐α2b plus ribavirin for 6 or 12 months, 117 (49.5%) of the end‐therapy responders were equally divided into two groups and were assigned to receive either low daily doses of IFN‐α2b (1.5 MU) ‘consolidation therapy’ (59 patients) for 1 year or no further treatment (58 patients). At the end of the follow‐up period (6 months), the number of sustained responders in the consolidation group (83%) was significantly higher than in the control group (37.9%). The predicting factors of both end‐therapy response and sustained response were the classic ones and a lower GGT/ALT ratio (GGT: gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase). The strongest predictors of sustained response alone were consolidation therapy and the longer period on combined treatment (12 vs 6 months). Consolidation therapy was better tolerated than the previously prescribed combined therapy in terms of side effects. In conclusion, genotype 1b naive end‐therapy responders to usual combined therapy, after a period of daily consolidation therapy with a low dosage of IFN without ribavirin, achieved a better rate of sustained response than the control group.     

Osteoporosis treatment: an evidence-based approach

Osteoporosis is a disease that results in decreased bone mass and quality of bone, which may lead to fracture. Clinicians need to counsel individuals on appropriate intake of calcium and vitamin D, increasing weight-bearing exercise, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding smoking. A variety of nonhormonal pharmacological options are available for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including bisphosphonates, calcitonin (Miacalcin?), raloxifene (Evista?), teriparatide (Forteo?), and denosumab (Prolia?). The National Osteoporosis Foundation and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists have recently published new guidelines, and it is important for clinicians to be familiar with the evidence behind each of these treatment modalities. It is paramount for nurses to make evidence-based, cost-effective decisions about pharmacological therapy based on individual patient-specific factors.     

Down-regulation of aquaporin 4 in human placenta throughout pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The family of mammalian aquaporins (AQP) consists of 12 known members, each with a specific tissue distribution and membrane localization pattern. AQP4 is the first member of this family identified in biological membranes. This water channel protein is primarily expressed in astrocytes but is also localized in ependymocytes and endothelial cells, suggesting its involvement in the movement of water between the blood and brain, and between the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To date, the regulation of AQP4 expression in the human placenta has not been studied. The purpose of this work was to investigate AQP4 localization and expression in the human placenta during gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 samples, 15 full-term placentae and 15 chorionic villous samples from first trimester, for the immunohistochemical analysis of AQP4 expression were used. The gestation period ranged from 5 to 40 weeks. RESULTS: A decrease of AQP4 expression in the syncytiotiophoblast from the first to the third trimester of gestation, in contrast with an increased expression shown by endothelial cells and stroma of placental villi was found. CONCLUSION: Our results may suggest that AQP4-mediated maternal-fetal fluid exchange could play an important role in the control of ion homeostasis and water balance in the human placenta throughout pregnancy.     

Advancing Pharmacy Education and Workforce Development Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Report of the 2020-2021 AACP Academic Affairs Committee

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2020-2021 Academic Affairs Committee was charged to (1) Read all six reports from the 2019-20 AACP standing committees to identify elements of these reports that are relevant to your committee’s work this year; (2) Determine what changes made in colleges and schools of pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic should be continued to advance pharmacy education; (3) Develop a realistic model for colleges and schools of pharmacy to share resources to meet the curricular needs of member schools; (4) Create strategies by which colleges and schools of pharmacy can meet current and future workforce development needs particularly in light of the changes in healthcare delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) Identify salient activities for the Center To Accelerate Pharmacy Practice Transformation and Academic Innovation (CTAP) for consideration by the AACP Strategic Planning Committee and AACP staff. This report provides an overview of changes made in schools and colleges of pharmacy implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that may be continued to advance pharmacy education; a realistic model for colleges and schools of pharmacy to share resources to meet the curricular needs of member schools; and strategies by which schools and colleges of pharmacy can meet current and future workforce development needs, particularly in light of the changes in healthcare delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee is proposing one policy statement for consideration by the 2021 AACP House of Delegates, four suggestions for consideration by schools and colleges of pharmacy (including two endorsements for suggestions from the 2020-21 Argus Commission), and one recommendation for consideration by AACP for CTAP to implement and oversee.