Delayed systemic arterial-pulmonary arterial shunt simulating pulmonary embolism: An unusual case.

This case report describes the imaging findings of an older-aged male presenting with infectious respiratory symptoms. Evaluation with routine contrast-enhanced CT of the chest demonstrated pulmonary artery filling defects initially treated as a pulmonary embolism. However, short-term repeat imaging during pulmonary angiographic and delayed phases demonstrated retrograde filling through a systemic arterial-pulmonary arterial shunt.

Appropriateness of ChatGPT as a resource for medication-related questions.

With its increasing popularity, healthcare professionals and patients may use ChatGPT to obtain medication-related information. This study was conducted to assess ChatGPT's ability to provide satisfactory responses (i.e.

Characterization of a Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Enthesitis and Arthritis in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With Dupilumab, an Interleukin-4/13 Inhibitor.

Objective: To characterize the presentation and outcomes of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who developed musculoskeletal symptoms after treatment with dupilumab, a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that blocks the functions of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13, key pathologic pathways in AD.

Methods: This article reports an observational cohort of patients receiving dupilumab who developed new-onset musculoskeletal symptoms after dupilumab therapy at our center. All patients had a comprehensive rheumatologic history and examination, with imaging by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in most patients.

Treatment of gangrenous digit-threatening paraneoplastic acrocyanosis with vasodilator therapy.

A man in his 70s, with a recent diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, reported a 2-month history of discolouration, pain and paraesthesia affecting his fingers. Clinical assessment noted peripheral acrocyanosis with areas of digital ulceration and gangrene. Following further work-up to evaluate potential causes, he was diagnosed with paraneoplastic acrocyanosis.

A data-driven quality-score system for rating drug products and its implications for the health care industry.

The quality of drug products in the United States has been a matter of growing concern. Buyers and payers of pharmaceuticals have limited insight into measures of drug-product quality. Therefore, a quality-score system driven by data collection is proposed to differentiate between the qualities of drug products produced by different manufacturers.

Prevagen: Analysis of Clinical Evidence and Its Designation as a "#1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand".

Prevagen is a dietary supplement that is marketed to help with mild memory loss associated with older people. The manufacturer of the product notes that clinical evidence supports this use. Furthermore, the manufacturer notes that Prevagen is a "#1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand.

Electro-optical measurement of intense electric field on a high energy pulsed power accelerator.

We describe a direct electro-optical approach to measuring a strong 118 MV/m narrow pulse width (~ 33 ns) electric field in the magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) of a pulsed power accelerator. To date, this is the highest direct external electric field measured electro-optically in a pulsed power accelerator, and it is between two to three orders of magnitude higher than values reported in comparable high energy scientific experiments. The MITL electric field is one of the most important operating parameters in an accelerator and is critical to understanding the properties of the radiation output.

Medical Communications in an Agency Setting: A Career Option for Pharmacists.

Medical communications (MedComms) agencies serve the varied needs of the pharmaceutical industry and other healthcare-related organizations. These agencies present a unique practice opportunity for pharmacists who possess the requisite knowledge and skillset to flourish and grow professionally in this environment. Published information about this sector of the industry is limited.

Survey of drug information centers in the United States-2018.

Purpose: To provide a current directory of drug information centers (DICs) in the United States and present information about their characteristics, activities and services, and networking activities.

Methods: In February 2018, an electronic 23-question survey was delivered to 118 contacts on a distribution list compiled from previous directories of DICs, responses to listserv messages, and an Internet search. DICs, defined as formal centers dedicated to providing drug information services, including but not limited to responding to drug information requests, were asked questions about their characteristics, activities and services, drug information requests, and networking activities.

Novel Incision-free Device for Transvaginal Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair.

Study Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the feasibility and potential clinical advantages of Apyx (Escala Medical, Israel), a minimally invasive incision-free anchoring device, for apical prolapse repair.

Design: An experimental prospective animal and cadaver study.

Setting: Animal facility and a cadaver laboratory of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Clinical and other specialty services offered by pharmacists in the community: the international arena and Israel.

The community pharmacy setting is a venue that is readily accessible to the public. In addition, it is staffed by a pharmacist, who is a healthcare provider, trained and capable of delivering comprehensive pharmaceutical care. As such, community pharmacists have a colossal opportunity to serve as key contributors to patients' health by ensuring appropriate use of medications, preventing medication misadventures, identifying drug-therapy needs, as well as by being involved in disease management, screening, and prevention programs.

Hypermobility and sports injury.

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between hypermobility and sports injury.

Methods: A quantitative observational approach using a cross-sectional survey was adopted. Individuals were identified as hypermobile or not.

Prevalence and characteristics of pharmacies owned and operated by schools of pharmacy in the United States.

Introduction: To identify schools/colleges of pharmacy that own and operate a pharmacy and to gather key details about such pharmacies.

Methods: Schools of pharmacy (n = 134) in the United States were contacted to determine whether they own and operate a pharmacy. Schools identified as having a pharmacy were subsequently sent an online questionnaire to solicit information about school and pharmacy characteristics.

Pharmacovigilance in Israel - tools, processes, and actions.

Background: Due to the limited safety data available at the time that a new medication is first marketed, it is essential to continue the collection and monitoring of safety data about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during the medication's life cycle. This activity, known as pharmacovigilance (PV), is performed worldwide by the pharmaceutical industry as well as by regulatory agencies. In 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) established a Pharmacovigilance and Drug Information Department.

Drug information--the systematic approach: continuing education article.

Proper drug information (DI) skills are essential for being a competent pharmacy practitioner. To effectively manage DI queries and clinical dilemmas, the practitioner should follow a systematic approach that includes identifying the requester, determining the "true" DI need and obtaining background information, categorizing the question, performing the search and analyzing the information, disseminating the information, and following up when appropriate. The practitioner must be mindful to couple the published literature with clinical experience, knowledge, and logic in order to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Professional reading habits of pharmacists attending 2 educational seminars in New York City.

Purpose: Data regarding the professional reading habits of pharmacists in the United States are lacking. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate whether pharmacists read professional publications and assess other aspects of their professional reading habits.

Methods: In December 2010, surveys were distributed to pharmacists participating in 2 educational seminars in New York City.

Functions performed by paid pharmacy interns in hospitals in New York.

Purpose: The types of clinical and nonclinical activities performed by paid pharmacy interns in the hospitals in New York state were studied.

Methods: In November 2008, a list of hospitals in New York was obtained from the website of the New York State Department of Health. A survey was sent to each hospital's pharmacy director requesting information on hospital characteristics and whether the pharmacy department employed nongraduate pharmacy interns.

Update on the status of 89 drug information centers in the United States.

Purpose: Previously identified U.S. drug information centers (DICs) were surveyed to determine whether they were still in existence and whether changes had occurred in the DICs since 2003.

Patients' use and perception of medication information leaflets.

Background: Federal law mandates that at least 95% of patients receive useful written information with new medications. Recent data concerning whether patients read such leaflets are lacking.

Objectives: To evaluate whether patients read non-manufacturer-developed leaflets and assess patients' opinions concerning the understandability and usefulness of these leaflets.

Use of statins and gemfibrozil in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors attending adult day health care centers: an opportunity for pharmacists.

Objective: Identify the extent of statin use for primary prevention of macrovascular complications, the extent of statin or gemfibrozil use for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the statin doses used in patients with type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Three adult day health care centers in Brooklyn and Queens, New York.