Publications by authors named "Hastings T"

Article Synopsis
  • Scientists think that oxidative stress, which means damage from too many harmful substances in the body, is linked to Parkinson's disease (PD).
  • A specific gene called LRRK2 has mutations that make it more active and can increase the risk of getting PD, and this is related to more oxidative stress.
  • In studies with special lab techniques and cells from people with PD, it was found that blocking LRRK2 activity helps reduce harmful reactions, suggesting that controlling LRRK2 could help manage oxidative stress in PD.
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Introduction: Given the increasing rates of antipsychotic use in multiple psychiatric conditions, greater attention to the assessment, monitoring and documentation of their side effects is warranted. While a significant degree of attention has been provided to metabolic side effect monitoring, comparatively little is known about how clinicians screen for, document and monitor the motor side effects of antipsychotics (ie, parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia and dyskinesias, collectively 'extrapyramidal side effects', EPS). This review aims to systematically assess the literature for insights into current trends in EPS monitoring practices within various mental health settings globally.

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Mutations in that increase its kinase activity are strongly linked to genetic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the regulation of endogenous wild-type (WT) LRRK2 kinase activity remains poorly understood, despite its frequent elevation in idiopathic PD (iPD) patients. Various stressors such as mitochondrial dysfunction, lysosomal dyshomeostasis, or vesicle trafficking deficits can activate WT LRRK2 kinase, but the specific molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.

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Pharmacists are well-positioned to help increase pediatric immunization rates. This study assessed the types of pediatric vaccines offered in community pharmacies, compared participant/pharmacy characteristics and participants' perceptions of barriers and pharmacists' role in providing pediatric immunizations between pharmacy-based providers and non-providers, and assessed factors associated with pharmacy-based pediatric immunization provision. A cross-sectional survey was sent to Alabama community pharmacies from February to April 2023, of which 240 responded (20.

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Background: Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains problematically low in the USA, especially in rural areas. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is associated with lower uptake, which translates to higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 variants in communities where vaccination coverage is low. Because community pharmacists are among the most accessible and trusted health professionals in rural areas, this randomized clinical trial will examine implementation strategies to support rural pharmacists in delivering an adapted evidence-based intervention to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

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Background: Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States (US), affecting approximately 27%, or 15.9 million adults 65 years of age and older. Diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the US and accounts for the second largest avoidable healthcare cost.

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Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) typically receive a diagnosis once they have developed motor symptoms, at which point there is already significant loss of substantia nigra dopamine neurons, α-synuclein accumulation in surviving neurons, and neuroinflammation. Consequently, the point of clinical presentation may be too late to initiate disease-modifying therapy. In contrast to this clinical reality, animal models often involve acute neurodegeneration and potential therapies are tested concurrently or shortly after the pathogenic insult has begun rather than later when diagnostic clinical symptoms emerge.

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Introduction: To strengthen and demonstrate the ability of rural pharmacists to address their communities' health needs, we developed the first multi-state rural community pharmacy practice-based research network (PBRN) in the USA called the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP). Our objective is to describe the process for developing RURAL-CP and discuss challenges to creating a PBRN during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a literature review of community pharmacy PBRNs and met with expert consultants to gain insight into PBRN best practices.

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The work of the 2021-2022 AACP Research and Graduate Affairs Committee (RGAC) focused on barriers to graduate education and research-related careers in pharmacy education. AACP President Stuart Haines charged the RGAC with identifying the critical barriers that hinder current PharmD students/recent graduates as well as under-represented groups (e.g.

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This study assessed rural community pharmacists' attitudes about COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and explored whether rural pharmacies offered these booster doses. Of the 80 rural Southeastern U.S.

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Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, pediatric vaccination rates for routine childhood vaccines have been declining. To boost pediatric immunizations, pharmacists in the United States may order and administer age-appropriate vaccines to children of 3 years of age and older without a prescription.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine parents' intention to have their young children between 3 and 10 years of age vaccinated in a community pharmacy setting.

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Background: Immunization information systems (IISs) facilitate consolidated vaccination data within each state. Many have limited pharmacy participation, especially Alabama. As pharmacists increasingly engage in delivery of vaccines recommended across the life span, it is critical to understand the barriers to IIS implementation, particularly in rural community pharmacies where access to primary care may be limited.

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Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are strongly implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis and there is evidence that mitochondrially-generated superoxide can activate NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). Although NOX2 has been examined in the context of PD, most attention has focused on glial NOX2, and the role of neuronal NOX2 in PD remains to be defined. Additionally, pharmacological NOX2 inhibitors have typically lacked specificity.

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Species with especially close dependence on the environment to meet physiological requirements, such as ectotherms, are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is occurring rapidly in the Subarctic and Arctic, but there is limited knowledge on ectotherm physiology in these landscapes. We investigated how environmental conditions and habitat characteristics influence the physiological conditions and habitat use of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in a Subarctic landscape near Churchill, Manitoba (Canada).

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Background And Purpose: Limited literature explores the impact that poverty-focused educational simulations can have on practicing clinicians. This study used a poverty simulation, specifically created to resemble the lives of Medicare patients, to sensitize practicing pharmacists to the situations faced by people living in poverty. The study evaluated how a poverty-focused educational program impacted practicing pharmacists' actual knowledge gain, intention to assist patients with limited income, and satisfaction with the educational program.

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Background: Only 60% of adults nationwide and just 36.8% of adults in Alabama have immunization data recorded in an Immunization Information System (IIS). The objective of this study, which took place before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, was to evaluate the impact of an IIS training program on pharmacists' IIS enrollment, participation, awareness, knowledge, intention, and attitudes.

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Background: Community pharmacists are often the most accessible health professional in rural areas, which makes them well positioned to increase vaccine access in their communities. This study sought to document rural pharmacists' ability to and interest in administering coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations.

Methods: A sample of community pharmacists participating in a rural community pharmacy practice-based research network in the United States completed an online survey that assessed (1) demographic characteristics, (2) previous COVID-19 vaccine training, and (3) ability to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

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Objectives: Coordination of medication prescribing is important in the care of patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) given the involvement of multiple providers and multiple medications used to manage MCC. The objective of this study was to identify physician and practice factors associated with physicians' coordination of prescribing for complex patients with MCC.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study used a 33-item anonymous, online survey to assess physicians' coordination practices while prescribing for patients with MCC.

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Background: Postgraduate students enrolled at colleges and schools of pharmacy are at an increased risk of experiencing difficulties with mental health and well-being; however, there is minimal work exploring mental health and well-being among postgraduates in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science programs.

Objectives: (1) to explore the current mental health and well-being of pharmacy postgraduates, (2) to identify factors that promote and hinder mental well-being at the individual and organizational levels, and (3) to explore perspectives regarding organizational priorities, resources, and support tools that may improve the mental health and well-being of postgraduates in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science programs.

Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional survey of postgraduates in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science programs.

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Background And Objectives: To review the current evidence on the options available for initiating dopaminergic treatment of motor symptoms in early-stage Parkinson disease and provide recommendations to clinicians.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel developed practice recommendations, integrating findings from a systematic review and following an Institute of Medicine-compliant process to ensure transparency and patient engagement. Recommendations were supported by structured rationales, integrating evidence from the systematic review, related evidence, principles of care, and inferences from evidence.

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This cross-sectional study compares the number of insulin prescriptions filled before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Context: Genes causing familial forms of diabetes mellitus are only partially known.

Objective: We set out to identify the genetic cause of hyperglycemia in multigenerational families with an apparent autosomal dominant form of adult-onset diabetes not due to mutations in known monogenic diabetes genes.

Methods: Existing whole-exome sequencing (WES) data were used to identify exonic variants segregating with diabetes in 60 families from the United States and Italy.

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Background: Patients with chronic conditions continue to face financial and system-related barriers to medication adherence. Pharmacy, provider, and payer-based financial and social incentive-based interventions may reduce these barriers and improve adherence. However, it is unclear how patient demographics and clinical characteristics influence the type of incentives preferred by patients.

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Background: Cranial nerve noninvasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) via translingual nerve stimulation (TLNS) is a promising new intervention combined with neurological rehabilitation to improve outcomes for persons with neurological conditions. A portable neuromodulation stimulation (PoNS) device rests on the tongue and stimulates cranial nerves V and VII (trigeminal and facial nerves, respectively). Emerging evidence suggests that CN-NINM using the PoNS device, combined with targeted physical therapy, improves balance and gait outcomes but has not yet been comprehensively reviewed.

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Background: Few studies have documented rural community pharmacy disaster preparedness.

Objectives: To: (1) describe rural community pharmacies' preparedness for and responses to COVID-19 and (2) examine whether responses vary by level of pharmacy rurality.

Methods: A convenience sample of rural community pharmacists completed an online survey (62% response rate) that assessed: (a) demographic characteristics; (b) COVID-19 information source use; (c) interest in COVID-19 testing; (d) infection control procedures; (e) disaster preparedness training, and (f) medication supply impacts.

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