The Dogma of Running Injuries: Perceptions of Adolescent and Adult Runners.

Context: Adults perceive certain factors to increase or decrease the risk of sustaining running-related injuries, but many of their perceptions are not supported by research. Little is known about the perceptions that adolescent runners hold. Investigating perceptions for adolescent runners is needed to assist in the development of future injury educational materials, as these resources may need to be tailored differently for adolescents and adults.

Pharmacists' Perceptions of the Influence of Interactions with the Pharmaceutical Industry on Clinical Decision-Making.

Background: There is a paucity of literature examining the perceptions of Canadian pharmacists toward drug promotion by the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacist-industry interactions.

Objectives: To determine whether hospital pharmacists perceive their interactions with the pharmaceutical industry as influencing their clinical decision-making or that of their colleagues and whether hospital pharmacists perceive that interactions with the pharmaceutical industry create a conflict of interest.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the complete sample of hospital pharmacists practising in 3 large health authorities in a single Canadian province was conducted from February to April 2010.

AA2500 testosterone gel normalizes androgen levels in aging males with improvements in body composition and sexual function.

Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men improves body composition, mood, and sexual functioning. In this 90-d study, we compared the pharmacokinetics and treatment effectiveness of a topical testosterone gel (AA2500) at two concentrations, 50 mg/d and 100 mg/d, to a testosterone patch and placebo gel in 406 hypogonadal men. Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained, body composition was measured, and mood and sexual function were monitored.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic profiles of the new testosterone topical gel formulation, Testim, compared to AndroGel.

A two-period, randomized, complete crossover study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of Testim (AA2500), a new 1% testosterone topical gel formulation, compared to AndroGel, an already available 1% testosterone topical gel. Twenty-nine hypogonadal subjects received a single dose (50 mg testosterone) of each formulation seven days apart. C(max) estimates for total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and free testosterone were greater (30, 19 and 38%, respectively) following the application of Testim compared to AndroGel.

A pilot study of recovery room bypass ("fast-track protocol") in a community hospital.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of short-acting anesthetic drugs and techniques to achieve recovery room bypass criteria after minor surgery in a community hospital environment.

Methods: After agreement by a multidisciplinary committee, a pilot project was undertaken to assess the usefulness of ultra- short acting anesthetic drugs and pre-emptive analgesia to facilitate rapid recovery from general anesthesia. A cohort of 100 ASA I-II patients aged 18-65 yr undergoing simple knee arthroscopy or minor peripheral orthopedic procedures was compared to a similar cohort treated in the three months prior to the study period.

The safety and efficacy of clarithromycin in patients with Legionella pneumonia.

Clarithromycin, a new macrolide antibiotic, is at least four times more active in vitro than erythromycin against Legionella pneumophila. In this study the safety and efficacy of orally administered clarithromycin (500 to 1,000 mg bid) in the treatment of Legionella pneumonia were evaluated. Forty-six patients were enrolled in the study, 15 of whom had not responded to previous routine anti-Legionella therapy (erythromycin, ofloxacin, rifampin [rifampicin], or tetracycline).

Safety and efficacy of Clarithromycin in the treatment of acute mild to moderate respiratory tract infections.

A total of 2,351 adult patients were recruited into a multi-centre open general practice study to investigate the safety and efficacy of Clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. for seven days in the management of acute mild to moderate respiratory tract infections.

Comparative study of clarithromycin and ampicillin in the treatment of patients with acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

This double-blind, randomized (1:1), 33 centre clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of 250 mg clarithromycin (2 x 125 mg capsules) 12-hourly and 250 mg ampicillin (one capsule) 6-hourly in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Clinical and bacteriological evaluations were performed during treatment (study days 3-5, 8-10) and within 48 h following the end of therapy. Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included in the safety analysis.

A comparative study of clarithromycin and penicillin VK in the treatment of outpatients with streptococcal pharyngitis.

This double-blind, randomized 17-centre clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of clarithromycin (2 x 125 mg capsules) 12-hourly and penicillin VK (2 x 125 mg tablets in capsules) 6-hourly in the treatment of proven Group A, beta-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. One hundred and twenty-eight patients (clarithromycin: 65, penicillin VK: 63) were enrolled in the study and included in the safety analysis. Clinical and bacteriological evaluations were performed on treatment days 5-7, and within two to ten and 15 to 56 days post-treatment.

Laboratory diagnosis of iron deficiency in a developing country, Pakistan.

In developing countries, such as Pakistan, laboratories do not routinely screen for iron deficiency unless the patient presents with symptoms of anaemia. Efforts to prevent the often serious consequences of iron depletion are hampered in developing countries by the expense and impracticality of routinely screening patients using bone marrow examination. Assays for serum iron concentrations, total iron-binding capacity or haemoglobin and examinations of blood films, although more practical, cannot detect the earliest stages of iron deficiency.

A review of long-term safety data with buflomedil.

Tolerance of long-term buflomedil was assessed by compiling safety data (adverse effects, vital signs and clinical laboratory results) from three multicentre clinical trials in patients with intermittent claudication or Alzheimer's disease-type senile dementia. The three studies were similar in design: open placebo lead-in; double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment; and open long-term treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 600 mg/day buflomedil given orally for 3 or 6 months (n = 297) or placebo (n = 298).

Long-term effect of almitrine bismesylate in patients with hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A long-term evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral almitrine bismesylate (AB) (50 mg twice daily) was made on 25 patients with COPD and moderate hypoxemia residing at an altitude of 1,500 m in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirteen patients receiving AB (baseline PaO2, 54.3 +/- 4.

One year administration of almitrine bismesylate (Vectarion) to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: pharmacokinetic analysis.

A double blind study utilizing orally administered almitrine bismesylate was conducted involving 36 stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with hypoxia and with and without hypercapnia. The patients received 50 mg tablets twice daily for 360 days. Blood samples were taken both at predose and 3 hours postdose at different periods throughout 1 year dosage regimen and plasma levels were analyzed by a GLC method using a nitrogen-phosphorous detector.

Relative bioavailability of almitrine bismesylate in humans.

Bioavailability and bioequivalency studies of almitrine bismesylate from U.S. manufactured film coated, waxed, 50 mg tablets were compared in 34 normal healthy volunteers to 50 mg European film coated, waxed and unwaxed, tablets and a 0.

Single oral dose proportionality pharmacokinetics of almitrine bismesylate in humans.

A single-blind study was conducted in 10 healthy male subjects. Each subject was tested with four single oral doses of capsules containing 25, 50, 100, 200mg almitrine bismesylate and one dose of placebo. Blood samples were drawn as a function of time and the concentration of almitrine in plasma was determined by gas chromatography utilizing nitrogen-phosphorus detection.

Impact of a two-stage intervention program on cefazolin usage at a major teaching hospital.

To reduce antimicrobial drug costs associated with the administration of cefazolin, a two-stage therapeutic intervention--employing persuasive (informational) and power (therapeutic interchange) strategies--was initiated at this 1,000-bed major Canadian teaching hospital. The target of the intervention was to extend the dosage interval of cefazolin to q8h. During a 12-week preimplementation period, 32% of orders specified 8-hour dosage intervals.

Drug usage review of cefamandole at a teaching hospital.

A drug usage audit of cefamandole was conducted at a 900-bed teaching hospital. Health records of all in-patients receiving cefamandole during a three-month period (November 1, 1985 to January 31, 1986) were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment of lower respiratory tract infections accounted for 35 (44%) of the 79 treatment courses examined.

Long-term effects of almitrine bismesylate on oxygenation during wakefulness and sleep in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) becomes more pronounced during sleep and can result in a number of serious consequences. Almitrine bismesylate is a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist that improves arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in patients with COPD during wakefulness. Studies conducted for up to six months suggested the agonist may be useful in the management of nocturnal hypoxemia.

Ventilatory effects of almitrine bismesylate in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

Patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) lack hypercapnic and hypoxic stimulation of ventilation but have demonstrated carotid body function in response to hyperoxia and to pharmacological stimulation with doxapram. This study investigated the ventilatory effects of almitrine bismesylate, a carotid body stimulant, in 12 patients with CCHS. Measurements of minute ventilation, tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (RR) and transcutaneous PO2 (TCPO2) were taken before and after administration of 4.

Vancomycin-induced neutropenia.

A case of vancomycin-induced neutropenia is presented with a review of other reported cases in the literature. A 59-year-old white female was started on vancomycin therapy for a chronic infection of a total left hip replacement. After 38 days of treatment, the patient developed a severe leukopenia with a white blood cell count of 1700/mm3 and the presence of only occasional neutrophils.

The effect of almitrine bismesylate on hypoxemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Almitrine bismesylate was studied for its effects on hypoxemia in 67 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arterial Po2 rose by 11.2 mm Hg (p less than 0.

Quality of use of parenteral metronidazole therapy in a teaching hospital.

The recent release, relatively high cost and potential adverse effects of parenterally administered metronidazole prompted a quality-of-use audit at a 1000-bed teaching hospital. Ninety-two courses of treatment in 81 inpatients during a 6-week period were studied. Appropriateness of therapy was assessed on the basis of published indications.