Analyzing Potential Interactions Between Complementary and Alternative Therapies, Over-the-Counter, and Prescription Medications in the Older Population.

Background: The escalating use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) raises concerns, particularly among geriatric patients taking multiple medications. Notably, the doubled chance of major drug interactions between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in older adults underscores the need for further research. This study aimed to evaluate clinically significant CAM and prescription medication interactions in a geriatric clinic, emphasizing the growing importance of understanding CAM implications in health care.

Ethanol Lock for Prevention of CVC-Related Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) can be used in patients with an indwelling central line to assist in the prevention of central venous catheter (CVC)-associated infections. However, its efficacy has not been consistently demonstrated in the pediatric population. The primary objective of this review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of ELT in prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in the pediatric population.

Why Can't I Stop Smoking: Predictors of Tobacco Use and Quit Rates in the Freedom From Tobacco Program.

Introduction  As the leading cause of preventable chronic diseases in adults 18 years and older, tobacco usage in the U.S. results in over 20 million premature deaths annually.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prescribing of opioid and opioid use disorder medications within an academic medical center in California.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare operations affecting many patients with chronic pain and substance use disorder. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid and opioid use disorder (OUD) medication prescribing practices within a large academic health system in southern California.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who received a prescription for chronic opioids or therapy for OUD between November 1, 2019 and September 1, 2020.

National survey of educational impact on pharmacy learners by volunteering at camps for children with diabetes.

Introduction: Current literature on pharmacy students' and residents' experience attending camps for children with diabetes focuses on the experience at an individual campsite. The objective of this study was to examine the demographics and gains in understanding that pharmacy learners achieve when volunteering as medical staff at camps for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: National listservs were used to identify pharmacists who precept pharmacy students and residents at diabetes camps.

Potential Association of Holidays on Internationalized Normalized Ratio in Warfarin-Users at a Multidisciplinary Clinic.

Background: Warfarin is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for numerous clinical indications. The effectiveness of warfarin is highly dependent on the time-in-therapeutic range based on the international normalized ratio (INR) goal, which may be altered by changes in diet, alcohol intake, concomitant drugs, and travel, all of which are prevalent during the holidays. At this time, there are no published studies assessing the impact of holidays on INR in warfarin-users.

The Usage of Concomitant Beta-Blockers with Vasopressors and Inotropes in Cardiogenic Shock.

Vasopressors and inotropes (Vs/Is) are widely used in the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS). Despite improvements in hemodynamic variables and end-organ perfusion, these agents have been associated with an increase in mortality, potentially due to the increased risk of tachyarrhythmias-which we hypothesize may be mitigated by beta-blockers (BBs). We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received a V/I (dobutamine, milrinone, dopamine, and norepinephrine) for CS.

Renal Impairment Associated With Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use in the Pediatric Population.

Objective: Limited studies describe acute kidney injury (AKI) in children receiving trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (SXT). The primary objective of this study was to describe AKI with SXT use in pediatric patients. Secondary objectives included describing the incidence of hyperkalemia and blood dyscrasias with SXT use.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The world has been facing an unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 with over 336 million people infected and millions of deaths. This required an enormous communication effort response from governments, international, and individuals to keep the public informed about the outbreak. When a pandemic affects communities, individuals' knowledge and attitude are important factors to contain the outbreak.

Student perception of academic advising in a school of pharmacy.

Objectives: Literature assessing the optimal means of providing academic advisement in pharmacy education is limited. The objective of this study was to describe students' perception of advising within a school of pharmacy.

Methods: A 27-question survey was developed utilizing Qualtrics and sent to all students at one school of pharmacy.

A pilot study on the biochemical effects of repeated administration of 24% oral sucrose vs. 30% oral dextrose on urinary markers of adenosine triphosphate degradation.

Objectives: Premature neonates often receive oral sucrose or dextrose before tissue-damaging procedures (TDPs). Previous work showed that a single dose of sucrose, but not dextrose, increased cellular energy utilization and ATP degradation. This pilot study probes the effects of repeated administration of sucrose or dextrose on energy metabolism.

Racial Difference in the Association of Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM) and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality among Renal Transplant Recipients.

Ambient air pollutants are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality with significant racial disparities. However, few studies have explored racial differences among highly susceptible subpopulations, such as renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Despite improvements in quality of life after transplantation, CVD remains the major cause of mortality, especially among Black recipients.

Frequency of cannabis use and alcohol-associated adverse effects in a representative sample of U.S. adolescents and youth (2002-2014) a cross-sectional study.

Background: While the link between frequent cannabis use and alcohol use disorders is well documented, it is not clear whether alcohol drinkers who use cannabis less frequently are also vulnerable to alcohol use disorders. We estimate the association of frequency of past 12-months cannabis use with alcohol-associated adverse effects variables in the same time frame: alcohol dependence, heavy drinking, driving under alcohol influence, alcohol-related interpersonal problems, use after interpersonal problems, alcohol-related risky behaviors, and alcohol-related legal problems.

Methods: We analyzed data from U.

Adherence to the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics palivizumab prophylaxis recommendations.

Introduction: This study aims to describe adherence rates to the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Disease guidance document recommending which patients should receive palivizumab for prophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Methods: A retrospective, single-center analysis of patients who received at least one dose of palivizumab between October 1, 2012, and March 1, 2017 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, medical history, palivizumab administration regimens, and incidence of RSV infection.

Twice weekly prophylaxis with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for pneumonia in pediatric oncology patients.

Current recommendations for prophylaxis of pneumonia in oncology patients include administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) three times weekly or the same total weekly dose given daily. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two consecutive days per week of TMP/SMX for prevention of pneumonia (PJP) in pediatric oncology patients. A retrospective cohort, single-center analysis was conducted in oncology patients 21 years and younger who received TMP/SMX for PJP prophylaxis between February 1, 2013 and July 31, 2017.

Association of Sacubitril/Valsartan with Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction Heart Failure at a Multidisciplinary Clinic.

Sacubitril/valsartan was approved for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in 2015, based on the results of the PARADIGM-HF trial, which showed a reduction in cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure hospitalization, compared with enalapril. A subsequent subgroup analysis of the trial showed glycemic improvement for patients on sacubitril/valsartan compared with those on enalapril. This was a retrospective observational study at the Loma Linda University (LLU) International Heart Institute (IHI).

Use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in patients receiving therapeutic plasma exchange with a centrifuge-based apheresis system.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are frequently used antihypertensive medications with additional advantages such as reducing proteinuria and cardiovascular events. ACEi are commonly held at least 24 hours before a therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to reduce possibility of adverse events (AEs) including adverse drug reactions (ADR). The objective of this study was to determine if ACEi use increases the risk of ADR in patients receiving TPE with a conventional centrifuge-based apheresis system.

Marijuana users are likely to report opioid misuse among adults over 50 years in representative sample of the United States (2002-2014).

In the wake of the rising rate of prescription opioid misuse, there has been increased public health interest in the possibility that cannabis might help to curb or prevent opioid use disorder. Previous studies were limited to young adult marijuana use population. Little is known about whether in older adult population, marijuana use is associated with a different type of nonmedical use opioids.

Safety and Efficacy of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Renal Impairment.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are gaining popularity for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) for stroke prevention. Less bleeding risk with comparable stroke prevention compared to warfarin was shown. DOACs have predictable anticoagulant effects, infrequent monitoring requirements and less drug-food interactions compared to warfarin.

Oxidative Stress Biomarker Decreased in Preterm Neonates Treated With Kangaroo Mother Care.

Objective: Due to physiological and metabolic immaturity, prematurely born infants are at increased risk because of maternal separation in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The stress induced from maternal-infant separation can lead to well-documented short-term physiologic instability and potentially lifelong neurological, sociological, or psychological sequelae. Based on previous studies of kangaroo mother care (KMC) that demonstrated improvement in physiologic parameters, we examined the impact of KMC on physiologic measures of stress (abdominal temperature, heart rate, oxygen saturation, perfusion index, near-infrared spectrometry), oxidative stress, and energy utilization/conservation in preterm infants.

Enoxaparin Thromboprophylaxis Dosing and Anti-Factor Xa Levels in Low-Weight Patients.

Introduction: Enoxaparin is a widely used anticoagulant to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). A fixed dose is recommended for VTE prophylaxis. However, fixed prophylactic doses of enoxaparin in low-weight patients may be close to the weight-based dosing recommended for VTE treatment.

Safety of Peripheral Line Administration of 3% Hypertonic Saline and Mannitol in the Emergency Department.

Background: Hypertonic saline (HTS) and mannitol are frequently utilized in the emergency department (ED) to manage elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP).

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of extravasation injury when HTS or mannitol was administered via peripheral i.v.

Spiritual Care at the Bedside: Are We Practicing What We Preach?

Little is known about how nurses' personal spirituality and religious (S/R) beliefs impact their spiritual care of patients. An online survey was used to collect data from 445 nurses, assessing facets of religiosity, their opinions about introducing S/R during patient care, demographic, and work-related variables. Findings indicated that even in a sample of Christian nurses who scored high on religiousness measures, spiritual care is infrequent.