Assessing the Impact of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) on Relationship Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Support Group Participation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) is a 6-month, home-based intervention aimed at enhancing mental health in men undergoing curative prostate cancer treatment. This exploratory secondary analysis evaluates PC-PEP's impact on relationship satisfaction, quality of life, and support group attendance among partnered participants. In a crossover randomized clinical trial ClinicalTrials.

Contract Law When the Poor Pay More.

Taking inequality as a key challenge of our time, this article aims to highlight consumer markets, and their underpinning legal ground rules, as important contributors to inequitable wealth distributions. It illustrates how product design, as manifested in contractual terms, can allow firms to evade competition and divert resources upwards along society's wealth distribution curve. It then highlights the contestable legality of certain pricing practices, such as 'contingent charges', and the challenge they pose to fundamental principles of contract law.

PC-PEP, a Comprehensive Daily Six-Month Home-Based Patient Empowerment Program Leads to Weight Loss in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Clinical Trial.

The Prostate Cancer-Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) is a six-month daily home-based program shown to improve mental health and urinary function. This secondary analysis explores weight loss in male PC-PEP participants. In a randomized clinical trial with 128 men undergoing curative prostate cancer (PC) treatment, 66 received 'early' PC-PEP, while 62 were assigned to the 'late' waitlist-control group, receiving 6 months of standard-of-care treatment followed by 6 months of PC-PEP.

Canadian dairy farmer views about animal welfare.

Concerns regarding the welfare of farm animals continue to grow. Traditionally, research efforts have largely focused on refining existing management practices to improve welfare. However, the incorporation of views from those directly involved in animal care is equally, if not more, important.

Six-Month Prostate Cancer Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) Improves Urinary Function: A Randomized Trial.

This is a secondary analysis examining a six-month home-based Prostate Cancer-Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) on patient-reported urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormonal function in men with curative prostate cancer (PC) against standard of care. In a crossover clinical trial, 128 men scheduled for PC surgery (n = 62) or radiotherapy with/without hormones (n = 66) were randomized to PC-PEP (n = 66) or waitlist-control and received the standard of care for 6 months, and then PC-PEP to the end of the year. PC-PEP included daily emails with video instructions, aerobic and strength training, dietary guidance, stress management, and social support, with an initial PFMT nurse consultation.

Septic and febrile kidney stone presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic What is the effect of reduced access to care during pandemic restrictions?

Introduction: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals shifted their resources and focus toward COVID-19 care and non-deferrable conditions. Renal colic is one of the most common urologic presentations to the emergency department (ED ). In our study, we examined whether there was an increase in septic/febrile stone presentations to the ED requiring ureteral stent insertion after the public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of virtual education on urology education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic changed the way urology education was delivered. At Dalhousie University, third-year medical students (clinical clerks) undergoing a two-week urology elective had the historic in-person seminars changed to virtual seminars with pre-recorded lectures by staff. The academic abilities of the clerks were measured via a standardized written exam and clinical score assigned by a staff preceptor.

Brassinosteroid coordinates cell layer interactions in plants via cell wall and tissue mechanics.

Growth coordination between cell layers is essential for development of most multicellular organisms. Coordination may be mediated by molecular signaling and/or mechanical connectivity between cells, but how genes modify mechanical interactions between layers is unknown. Here we show that genes driving brassinosteroid synthesis promote growth of internal tissue, at least in part, by reducing mechanical epidermal constraint.

Therapeutic Approaches to Penile Cancer: Standards of Care and Recent Developments.

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy, most commonly diagnosed in older men, associated with poor outcomes, dramatic decline in quality of life and sexual function. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histopathology of penile cancer, accounting for 95% of all cases. Localized, early-stage penile cancer can be effectively managed through penile-sparing techniques in many cases, though advanced stages of penile cancer carry a poor prognosis.

Blood transcriptome responses to PFOA and GenX treatment in the marsupial biomedical model .

Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in industrial and consumer products. Due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, PFASs can be found in the blood of humans and wild animals all over the world. Various fluorinated alternatives such as GenX have been developed to replace the long-chain PFASs, but there is limited information about their potential toxicity.

Localization of stomatal lineage proteins reveals contrasting planar polarity patterns in Arabidopsis cotyledons.

Many plant cells exhibit polarity, revealed by asymmetric localization of specific proteins within each cell. Polarity is typically coordinated between cells across a tissue, raising the question of how coordination is achieved. One hypothesis is that mechanical stresses provide cues.

Student attitudes regarding timing of immunization training within the pharmacy curriculum: Optimizing immunization training in pharmacy schools in the United States.

Introduction: The pharmacist's role in vaccination efforts continues to increase; therefore, it is essential to ensure that pharmacy students receive effective training to be confident and competent administering immunizations. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of immunization training timing on students' hands-on experience and perception during pharmacy school.

Methods: One hundred forty-five pharmacy schools were surveyed to determine details of their immunization training programs.

Triaging urological surgeries to cope with the coronavirus-19 pandemic.

Purpose Of Review: The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to strains on hospital resources and difficulties in safely and effectively triaging surgical procedures. In this article, we discuss the important considerations for triaging urologic surgeries during a global pandemic, mitigating factors on how to perform surgeries safely, and general guidelines for specific surgeries.

Recent Findings: Many urological procedures have been cut back due to the pandemic, with benign disease states being most affected whereas oncology cases affected least.

Placement and Integration of Pathophysiology, Anatomy, and Physiology Within the Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum.

To examine the placement of pathophysiology, anatomy, and physiology within the curricula of US pharmacy schools and colleges for variations in program length, prerequisites, institution type, geographic region, and establishment date. The websites of 146 pharmacy programs were examined for information related to pathophysiology, anatomy, and physiology courses and instruction. Eight programs listed uninterpretable or incomplete website data and were excluded, producing a final sample size of 138 programs.

The times they are a-changin': The evolution of prostate cancer screening practices and beliefs among primary care physicians in Victoria, British Columbia.

Introduction: Prostate cancer screening practices remain controversial among primary care practitioners (PCPs). Inconsistent guidelines and publication of large prostate cancer screening trials have failed to provide definitive guidance. This study investigates the evolution of prostate cancer screening practices and beliefs over 12 years, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Non-Doctoral and Dual Degree Offerings in US Pharmacy Schools.

To determine the number and types of non-terminal degree programs offered at US schools and colleges of pharmacy. The websites of 136 schools and colleges of pharmacy that offered the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and were accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education were examined to see if they also offered any non-terminal degrees. The school web sites were also compared to identify any variations in degrees offered based on class size, institution type (public or private), and age of program.

United States Physician Preferences Regarding Healthcare Financing Options: A Multistate Survey.

Not much is currently known about United States (US) physicians' opinions about healthcare financing, specifically subsequent to the creation and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A four state survey of practicing US based physicians' opinions about healthcare financing following ACA passage and implementation. Physician leaders practicing in the state of New York, Texas, Colorado and Mississippi were surveyed.

Engineering of a GLP-1 analogue peptide/anti-PCSK9 antibody fusion for type 2 diabetes treatment.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex and progressive disease requiring polypharmacy to manage hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular risk factors. However, most patients do not achieve combined treatment goals. To address this therapeutic gap, we have developed MEDI4166, a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist peptide fused to a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) neutralising antibody that allows for glycaemic control and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering in a single molecule.

Computational Design of Epitope-Specific Functional Antibodies.

The ultimate goal of protein design is to introduce new biological activity. We propose a computational approach for designing functional antibodies by focusing on functional epitopes, integrating large-scale statistical analysis with multiple structural models. Machine learning is used to analyze these models and predict specific residue-residue contacts.

Regional Variation in Pharmacist Perception of the Financial Impact of Medicare Part D.

The objective of this study was to perform a nationwide investigation of the financial performance of community pharmacies in the United States since the inception of Medicare Part D. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of pharmacists was conducted in 2013. The 43-item online survey collected information about demographics, financial implications of Part D on community pharmacy and patients, provision of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services and opinions about Medicare Part D 2010 updates.

Patient centred medical home (PCMH) and patient-practitioner orientation: Is there a relationship?

Background: The patient-centred medical home (PCMH) and utilisation of a patient-centred care approach have been promoted as opportunities to improve healthcare quality while controlling expenditures.

Objectives: To determine the penetration of PCMH within physician practices, and to evaluate physician attitudes towards patient-practitioner orientation. The ultimate objective was to explore relationships between the patient-practitioner orientation of respondents and the presence of PCMH elements within their practice.

Design and Implementation of a Professional Development Course Series.

To design and implement a longitudinal course series focused on professional development and professional identity formation in pharmacy students at Western New England University. A four-year, theme-based course series was designed to sequentially and longitudinally impart the values, attributes, and characteristics of a professional pharmacist. Requirements of the course include: goal planning and reflective assignments, submission of "Best Works," attendance at professional meetings, completion of service hours, annual completion of a Pharmacy Professionalism Instrument, attendance at Dean's Seminar, participation in roundtable discussions, and maintenance of an electronic portfolio.

A Nationwide Study of Pharmacists' Perception of the Impact of Medicare Part D on the Pharmacist-Patient Relationship.

Background: Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006, introducing change to the community pharmacy marketplace, with profound disruption to independent pharmacy operations across the United States.

Aims: To understand pharmacist perceptions about Part D and their perceived obligation to address Part D issues on behalf of their beneficiaries.

Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of pharmacists was conducted between April and July 2013.