Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US Pharmacy Academia Per Perspectives of Faculty and Administrators.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly affected academic and administrative facets of pharmacy education. However, to date, no study has systematically summarized pandemic-related changes at pharmacy schools across the United States. This study aimed to evaluate US pharmacy school faculty and administrators' perspectives on the pandemic's impact on pharmacy academia.

Variables affecting pharmacy students' pursuit and attainment of postgraduate residency and fellowship positions.

Introduction: Postgraduate pharmacy residency and fellowship positions have remained competitive. We evaluated factors predicting students' pursuit and attainment of postgraduate pharmacy training positions.

Methods: A web-based survey was administered to students from a three-year accelerated pharmacy program.

Effects of the hangover secret on mitigating hangover symptoms: A pilot study.

Background: Due to the popularity of excessive alcohol consumption, there is an increasing need for hangover symptom remedies. Most commercially available hangover treatment products have not been tested for efficacy through clinical study.

Aims: The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize the activity of a commercially available hangover product, The Hangover Secret (THS).

Impact of High Volume Energy Drink Consumption on Electrocardiographic and Blood Pressure Parameters: A Randomized Trial.

Background Energy drinks have been linked to an increase in emergency room visits and deaths. We aim to determine the impact of energy drinks on electrocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters in young healthy volunteers. Methods and Results A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in healthy volunteers.

Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks and Panax ginseng in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Energy drink usage has been linked to emergency room visits and deaths. The objective of the study is to assess the electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks, Panax ginseng and placebo in healthy individuals.

Methods: This was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study.

Impact of tofacitinib on patient outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis - review of clinical studies.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease associated with inflammation and destruction of joints and systemic effects, which result in significant impact on patient's quality of life and function. Tofacitinib was approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the USA in 2012 and subsequently in other countries, but not by the European Medicines Agency. The goal of this review was to evaluate the impact of tofacitinib on patient-reported and patient-specific outcomes from prior clinical studies, focusing on quality of life, functionality, pain, global disease assessment, major adverse consequences, and withdrawals.

Tofacitinib: The First Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety, dosage administration, and adverse effects of tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.

Data Sources: Primary sources of information were obtained from clinical studies, which were identified through PubMed (1966 to June 2013) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to March 2013) using terms: tofacitinib, tasocitinib, CP-690550, and CP-690,550. Information was used from tofacitinib package insert, guidelines, and published abstracts from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism.

Evaluation of pharmacy practice residents' research abstracts and publication rate.

Objective: To determine the type, scope, and publication rate of pharmacy practice residency projects conducted in a subgroup of the United States.

Methods: Data were collected from the abstract book of the 28th Western States Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellows, and Preceptors (May 20-23, 2008). Data on project publication rate, institution affiliation, residency year, research practice setting, research therapeutic area, research hypothesis category, study design, statistical plan, and abstract reporting were extracted independently by two investigators.

New oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation: a review of clinical trials.

Background: Warfarin had been the only oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for decades. Direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors are new anticoagulants recently approved for prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with AF.

Objective: The aim of this article was to provide a systematic review of recently published clinical data on the direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors in the management of AF.

Aldosterone receptor antagonism in heart failure.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a major role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Aldosterone is one of the central mediators involved in the cardiac remodeling process. Its classic effect in heart failure is attributed to mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated salt and fluid retention leading to increased afterload.

Impact of the clinical pharmacist on readmission in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Previous studies have reported a positive impact of pharmacists on care of patients with chronic illnesses. The impact of the clinical pharmacist on hospital readmission in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has yet to be evaluated, as of this writing.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the clinical pharmacist as a direct patient-care team member on cardiac-related readmission in patients admitted to the general cardiology unit with ACS.

Nesiritide for secondary pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Purpose: The impact of adding nesiritide to standard therapy and positive inotropic agents in patients with end-stage heart failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) was studied.

Methods: Patients included in this retrospective study were 18 years of age or older, admitted to the hospital with PH secondary to end-stage heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class IV), had received a pulmonary artery catheter, had been treated with nesiritide because of inadequate hemodynamic response to previous therapy (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP], >18 mm Hg), and had shown minimal symptomatic benefit from standard heart-failure therapy, continuous infusions of loop diuretics, and positive inotropic agents (milrinone or dobutamine or both). The primary endpoint was change in PCWP.