Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Evaluate Factors That Influence PharmD Students' Intention to Attend Lectures.

To use the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to evaluate the contribution of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control in predicting students' intention to attend class lectures in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum in which lecture recordings were available. A survey instrument based on the TPB was developed from focus groups with PharmD students. The survey was then distributed to first through third year students at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 academic school year.

A Study of the Relationship Between the PCOA and NAPLEX Using a Multi-institutional Sample.

To examine the relationship between the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) using a large, multi-institutional sample of student scores. A matched dataset was obtained from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) consisting of examination scores for the 1,460 students who completed both the PCOA and the NAPLEX between 2012 and 2015 at six schools/colleges of pharmacy (S/COPs). Bivariate correlations were estimated for total and content area scores on both examinations.

Point/Counterpoint: Are Outstanding Leaders Born or Made?

The question of whether outstanding leaders are born or made has been debated for years. There are numerous examples of historical figures that came naturally to leadership, while others developed their leadership skills through tenacity and experience. To understand leadership, both nature (the genetic component) and nurture (the environmental influences) must be considered.

A Critical Care Hybrid Online Elective Course for Third-Year Pharmacy Students.

To assess the impact of a four-week hybrid online elective course in critical care on student learning attitudes and outcomes compared to that achieved when the same course was taught using a traditional lecture-based approach. A hybrid online elective course was created that featured video-recorded lectures and in-class skills laboratories. Course evaluations were used to assess student perceptions of learning methods, and examination scores were used to assess learning outcomes.

Probable Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus With the Use of High-Dose Continuous Infusion Ceftazidime.

Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are a major concern of health care providers due to their increasing incidence and associated mortality. In some cases, few or no antibiotics have preserved activity. Beta-lactam administration via continuous infusion can optimize time over minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Factors that influence student completion of course and faculty evaluations.

Objective: To determine if there is a relationship between students' grades, gender, age, or ethnicity and their completion of course and/or faculty evaluations.

Methods: Data were collected and analyzed for relationships among students' gender, age, ethnicity, and course grade on their completion rates of course and faculty evaluations.

Results: The grade a student received in a course was not related to completion rates for course or faculty evaluations.

Antifungal susceptibility testing: a primer for clinicians.

Antifungal susceptibility testing is not as commonly performed as antibacterial susceptibility testing. The methodology for detecting antifungal resistance is newer and requires different testing supplies that may not be readily available in a clinical laboratory setting. Breakpoints for molds are lacking.

Invasive candidiasis and the utility of antifungal susceptibility testing in the ICU.

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of health care-associated morbidity and mortality in the ICU. In particular, Candida spp. are among one of the leading causes of bloodstream infections and sepsis.

Symposium on roles of and cooperation between academic- and practice-based pharmacy clinicians.

Purpose: The findings of an academic symposium as they relate to the history and role of the academic pharmacy clinician, the strengths and limitations of the academic pharmacy clinician model, and the framework for future synergistic work relations among clinical pharmacy practitioners are summarized.

Summary: On April 23, 2008, a symposium was convened to bring key thought leaders together to discuss the relationship of the academic-based pharmacy clinician and the practice-based pharmacy clinician. Participants included clinical faculty and administrators from two colleges of pharmacy, practice-based clinical pharmacists and pharmacy managers from seven health care institutions, and representatives from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Significant publications on infectious diseases pharmacotherapy in 2007.

Purpose: Significant publications on infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy in 2007 were compiled and summarized.

Summary: On January 2, 2008, the 21 members of the Houston Infectious Disease Network (HIDN) were asked to select an article that was published in a peer-reviewed journal between January 1 and December 31, 2007, and write a summary highlighting why the article was significant to the diagnosis or treatment of ID. Articles were selected based on prior "top 10" presentations at major ID and pharmacy meetings or were listed as major articles in prominent ID journals.

Comparative pharmacodynamics of gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aminoglycosides are often used to treat severe infections with gram-positive organisms. Previous studies have shown concentration-dependent killing by aminoglycosides of gram-negative bacteria, but limited data are available for gram-positive bacteria. We compared the in vitro pharmacodynamics of gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Optimization of meropenem minimum concentration/MIC ratio to suppress in vitro resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Suppression of resistance in a dense Pseudomonas aeruginosa population has previously been shown with optimized quinolone exposures. However, the relevance to beta-lactams is unknown. We investigated the bactericidal activity of meropenem and its propensity to suppress P.

Comparison of beta-lactams in counter-selecting resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Suppression of resistance in a dense population of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown with optimized quinolone exposures. However, relevance to the beta-lactams is questionable because of the unknown impact of the inoculum effect. We explored the bactericidal activity of various beta-lactams and their propensity to suppress spontaneous resistance.

Antibacterial activity of linezolid and vancomycin in an in vitro pharmacodynamic model of gram-positive catheter-related bacteraemia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the activity of linezolid and vancomycin in an in vitro pharmacodynamic model to assess potential differences in activity against biofilm-embedded organisms.

Methods: Single-lumen central venous catheters colonized with biofilm-embedded Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) were treated with simulated clinical dosing regimens of linezolid 600 mg every 12 h or vancomycin 1 g every 12 h in a one-compartment in vitro pharmacodynamic model. Quantitative cultures were sampled through the catheter and peripheral ports over 48 h to dynamically assess changes in the burden of catheter colonization and organism seeding, respectively.

Relationship between fluoroquinolone use and changes in susceptibility to fluoroquinolones of selected pathogens in 10 United States teaching hospitals, 1991-2000.

We retrospectively examined the relationship between fluoroquinolone use and the susceptibilities of 11 bacterial pathogens to fluoroquinolones in 10 US teaching hospitals from 1991 through 2000. Statistical significance was determined by 2-way analysis of variance, with the number of isolates tested each year as a weighting factor. The analysis of baseline-to-end point change in the percentage of susceptibility and the slope of the regression line (trend line) for logit percentage of susceptibility showed that the overall percentage of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones decreased significantly during the study period (P<.

Targeting bacterial virulence: the role of protein synthesis inhibitors in severe infections. Insights from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

Morbidity and mortality due to certain bacterial pathogens have not declined despite the availability of effective antimicrobial treatments. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cause a number of serious infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome, which are associated with the release of bacterial toxins. Animal studies have demonstrated clindamycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, to be more effective in treating these severe infections than other more susceptible antimicrobial treatments.

Influences of linezolid, penicillin, and clindamycin, alone and in combination, on streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin a release.

An in vitro model was used to compare the effects of linezolid, clindamycin, and penicillin, alone and in combination, on streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPE A) release against virulent group A streptococci (GAS). All regimens exhibited lower (P < 0.05) SPE A release at 1 h than those with penicillin alone.