Advance Care Directive Preferences in Women Veterans: A Snapshot.

Prior research characterizes mainly male veteran preferences at end of life using the Veterans Administration Advance Directive (VA AD), there has been no specific studies focusing on women veteran's preferences concerning whether the AD is to be strictly (S) followed or to serve as a general guide (G). The purpose of this study was to describe women veteran preferences for life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) in various illness situations to assist providers in discussing end-of-life decisions. Additionally, we compared previously published LST preferences of male veterans with the study's sample.

Capsule Machine Validation.

Instrumentation has become an integral function for any compounding operation, particularly for hard-gelatin capsules. This study examined the use of a capsule machine in a simulated compounding operation. It is an instrument that is reasonably priced and can deliver 24 capsules within ten minutes of operation.

Predictive Performance Comparison of Computed Linear and Quadratic Multivariate Models for In-Situ UV Fiber Optics Tablet Dissolution Testing.

A present investigation aimed for multivariate modeling as a solution to resolve inaccuracy in dissolution testing experienced in the use of in-situ UV fiber optics dissolution systems (FODS) due to signal saturation problems. This problem is specifically encountered with high absorbance of moderate to high dose formulations. A high absorbance not only impede a real-time assessment but can also result in inaccurate dissolution profiles.

Assessment and clinical utility of pharmacogenomics by healthcare practitioners in North Carolina.

Perceived knowledge, use and perceptions of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing were assessed among healthcare practitioners in North Carolina. A validated survey was distributed to various healthcare professionals and analyzed for differences among the groups. The majority of the 744 survey respondents acknowledged the perceived benefits of PGx testing, but indicated either never or rarely using it.

Correction to: Employing Multivariate Statistics and Latent Variable Models to Identify and Quantify Complex Relationships in Typical Compression Studies.

During the transmission process in publishing the article online, the equal (=) sign was replaced with "0" in Equations 1 to 5. The original article has been corrected.

Employing Multivariate Statistics and Latent Variable Models to Identify and Quantify Complex Relationships in Typical Compression Studies.

The effect of storage condition (% RH) on flufenamic acid:nicotinamide (FFA:NIC) cocrystal compressibility, compactibility, and tabletability profiles was not observed after visual evaluation or linear regression analysis. However, multivariate statistical analysis showed that storage condition had a significant effect on each compressional profile. Shapiro and Heckel equations were used to determine the compression parameters: porosity, Shapiro's compression parameter (f), densification factor (Da), plastic yield pressure (YPpl), and elastic yield pressure (YPel).

Lubricant-Sensitivity Assessment of SPRESS B820 by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Comparison of Multivariate Methods.

The predictability of multivariate calibration models, calculated with offline near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), assessing impact of magnesium stearate (MgSt) fraction, blending time, and compression force on the tablet breaking force (TBF) of SPRESS B820 was statistically compared. Tablets of lubricated SPRESS B820 were prepared by varying lubrication and compression conditions using 2 full factorial design. Tablets were scanned in reflection mode on a benchtop NIRS.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Coprocessed Excipient MicroceLac® 100 by DM(3) Approach.

Purpose: To determine the effect of relative humidity (RH) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the physico-mechanical properties of coprocessed MacroceLac(®) 100 using 'DM(3)' approach.

Methods: Effects of RH and 5% w/w HPMC on MacroceLac(®) 100 Compressibility Index (CI) and tablet mechanical strength (TMS) were evaluated by 'DM(3)'. The 'DM(3)' approach evaluates material properties by combining 'design of experiments', material's 'macroscopic' properties, 'molecular' properties, and 'multivariate analysis' tools.

Formulation and optimization of potassium iodide tablets.

The use of potassium iodide (KI) as a protective agent against accidental radioactive exposure is well established. In this study, we aimed to prepare a KI tablet formulation using a direct compression method. We utilized Design of Experiment (DoE)/mixture design to define the best formulation with predetermined physical qualities as to its dissolution, hardness, assay, disintegration, and angle of repose.

Evaluation of the moisture prediction capability of near-infrared and attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using superdisintegrants as model compounds.

The superdisintegrants (SDs) moisture content measurement by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has been evaluated against thermogravimetric analysis as a reference method. SDs with varying moisture content were used to build calibration and independent model verification data sets. Calibration models were developed based on the water-specific NIR and ATR-FTIR spectral regions using partial least-square regression methods.

Impact of a pill box clinic to improve systolic blood pressure in veterans with uncontrolled hypertension taking 3 or more antihypertensive medications.

Background: Two-thirds of Americans who are prescribed antihypertensive medications are not at a blood pressure (BP) goal of <140/90 mmHg, and low adherence is identified as a primary cause of inadequate control. Improved adherence to antihypertensive medications has been shown to enhance BP control and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. This study investigated the effectiveness of a pill box clinic to improve BP in veterans with uncontrolled hypertension taking 3 or more antihypertensive medications.

Does incorporation of thromboelastography improve bleeding prediction following adult cardiac surgery?

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) coagulopathy increases utilization of allogenic blood/blood products, which can negatively affect patient outcomes. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a point-of-care measurement of clot formation and fibrinolysis. We investigated whether the addition of TEG parameters to a clinically based bleeding model would improve the predictability of postoperative bleeding.

Rheologic Profile, Specific Gravity, Surface Tension, and pH of Fifteen Over-the-Counter Preparations.

Knowledge of the physical characteristics of commercially available over-the-counter preparations can aid the compounding pharmacist in preparing medication. In this study, 15 over-the-counter products were studied with regard to their specific gravity, surface tension, pH, and rheologic profile. The specific gravities of all the products were greater than 1, with the exceptions of Nivea Lotion and rubbing alcohol, which were less than 1.

Physical Characteristics of Selected Over-the-Counter Medications.

The physical characteristics of over-the-counter medications may be useful to the compounding pharmacist in preparing dosage forms by serving as physical limits for the basis of choice of vehicles and supporting ingredients for formulations. In this study, three bottles of 16 different products were tested for their specific gravity, pH, suface tension and rheological properties. All products tested were heavier than water, with the exception of the lotions.

Erythrocytes as oral delivery systems for human insulin.

The use of different forms of human red blood cells as oral carrier systems for human insulin in vivo was the subject of this investigation. Male Wistar rats were made diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (100 mg/kg). Three days after the injection, rats were found diabetic as evidenced by elevated fasted blood glucose concentration (200 mg/dl or higher).

Preparation and characterization of a compounded aqueous human insulin suspension.

Human insulin, used in the management of diabetes, is commercially available in the form of solutions or suspensions for injection. This study investigated the preparation and characterization of an oral suspension for insulin. The suspension was prepared by adding human insulin to aqueous soy extract and adjusting the pH of the preparation to 4.

A brief report on some physiological parameters of streptozocin-diabetic rat.

Several biological changes occur when streptozocin is given to experimental animals. The rat streptozocin (STZ) model is extensively used in diabetic experiments. In this brief report, the main physiological characteristics of rats injected with streptozocin are presented.

Pharmaceutical profile of vitamin C tablets and capsules.

This study examines the pharmaceutical profile of 3 brands of immediate-release vitamin C tablets (500 mg) available commercially in North Carolina and 3 batches of vitamin C capsules (500 mg) extemporaneously prepared in our laboratory. Several pharmaceutical tests were performed on 3 bottles from 3 different brands of immediate-release vitamin C tablets that were purchased from local stores. The brands were compared with respect to thickness, weight variation, hardness, dissolution, disintegration time, and content uniformity tests.

Experimenting with a new emulsifying agent (tahini) in mineral oil emulsion.

The use of tahini, a sesame paste, as an emulsifying agent was the subject of this investigation. Mineral oil emulsion, USP was used as an emulsion model. Tahini partially or completely replaced acacia in the oficial emulsion.

Calamine lotion: experimenting with a new suspending agent.

The use of a new suspending agent is investigated. Calamine lotion, USP contains bentonite magma as a suspending agent. In this study, bentonite magma was partially or completely replaced with a new suspending agent called tahini.

In vitro studies on the release of morphine sulfate from compounded slow-release morphine-sulfate capsules.

Morphine sulfate is a commonly prescribed drug for the relief of pain. This study investigated the dissolution profile of extemporaneously prepared slow-release morphine-sulfate capsules and MS Contin (Purdue Frederick, Norwalk, CT). Extemporaneously prepared capsules obtained from one pharmacist were compared with MS Contin tablets.