Health Communication and Adherence to Noninvasive Ventilation in Chronic Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Domiciliary noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a standard treatment for improving health outcomes among patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF). However, poor adherence substantially limits its therapeutic effectiveness.

Objective: To determine the effect of an information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills-based intervention (IMB-NIV program) on NIV adherence, patient-reported health outcomes, and health service use among patients with CHRF.

Proximal humerus fractures: anatomy, diagnosis and management.

Proximal humeral fractures are common with a bimodal distribution and sex discrepancy, affecting younger men and older women. The presentation of a proximal humeral fracture can vary greatly because of this bimodal distribution and the associated differences in mechanism of injury. Initial management should involve assessment of life- and limb-threatening injuries as outlined by the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma, with particular attention paid to axillary nerve function and vascular status.

Ceftaroline fosamil: a cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin with expanded gram-positive activity recently approved for clinical uses by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Objective: This article provides an overview of the in vitro and in vivo activities, mechanism of action, pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of ceftaroline.

Methods: Relevant information was identified through a search of PubMed (1990-April 2011), EMBASE (1990-April 2011), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2011), and Google Scholar using the key words ceftaroline, PPI-0903, PPI-0903M, T-91825, and TAK-599.

Tadalafil: a long-acting phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Objective: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the pharmacology, pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, and dosage and administration of tadalafil in patients with PAH.

Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1960 through September 5, 2010) was conducted with the search terms tadalafil, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.