Impact of Virtual Yoga on Management of Sleep and Anxiety in Persons with Vision Impairment.

The goal of this research was to assess the effects of virtual yoga on sleep and anxiety in persons with vision impairment. This study was a quasi-experimental single group design. Thirteen participants engaged in a six-week Hatha yoga experience with weekly sessions presented on a zoom platform with the recorded sessions provided to the participants after each session.

Inhaled aztreonam lysine for cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease-related outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of aztreonam lysine for inhalation (AZLI) for cystic fibrosis (CF)-related signs and symptoms of pulmonary disease.

Data Sources: Literature was searched in MEDLINE through PubMed and cross-referenced with EMBASE (1980-June 2012). The key search terms used were aztreonam lysine, nebulized, inhaled, and cystic fibrosis.

Clinical outcomes with ertapenem as a first-line treatment option of infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing gram-negative bacteria.

Background: Infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing gram-negative organisms are a growing concern in hospitalized patients. Traditionally, these infections can be effectively treated by the carbapenem class of drugs. In 2005, our institution initiated a protocol for use of ertapenem, a carbapenem, as the first-line treatment option for these infections.

Efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of Parkinson disease.

Objective: To review the literature describing the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy and to determine the best treatment option for patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE/PubMed (1948-September, week 2, 2011) and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included Parkinson disease, medication, pharmacotherapy, surgery, deep brain stimulation, and best medical therapy.

Vigabatrin for infantile spasms.

Infantile spasms describe a pediatric epilepsy syndrome characterized by frequent clusters of brief symmetric muscle contractions; the condition is often associated with developmental delay. When infantile spasms are accompanied by hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalogram, the condition is labeled West syndrome. The mainstay of treatment for infantile spasms is adrenocorticotropic hormone; however, vigabatrin, a vinyl derivative of γ-aminobutyric acid, has been used for the treatment of infantile spasms in Europe since 1989.

The role of pramlintide for weight loss.

Objective: To evaluate the weight-loss effects of pramlintide.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1950-October week 4, 2009), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-October 2009), and Evidence Based Medicine Database (1991-2009 week 44) to identify relevant publications. Key words searched included pramlintide, weight loss, obesity, and overweight.

Post-PharmD industry fellowship opportunities and proposed guidelines for uniformity.

The focus of this paper is to examine the surge in the development of post-PharmD industry fellowships (ie, pharmacy fellowship programs sponsored by the biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical industry). These post-PharmD training programs do not fit the currently accepted definition of a pharmacy fellowship; therefore, the authors propose a new and distinct definition to encompass these fellowships. The authors provide program examples to showcase the establishment of the post-PharmD industry fellowship institutional centers.

Role of huperzine a in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To review the role of huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (1950-September week 2, 2008), EMBASE (all years), Google Scholar, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included huperzine, huperin, Huperzia serrata, and Alzheimer's disease.

Management strategies for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Objective: To evaluate the current nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through searches of MEDLINE Ovid (1950-March week 3, 2008) and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (all years), as well as a bibliographic review of articles identified by the searches. Key terms included premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMS, PMDD, and treatment.

Role of metformin for weight management in patients without type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin for weight management in overweight and obese patients without type 2 diabetes.

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE Ovid (1950-February week 3, 2008), EMBASE (all years), and a bibliographic review of relevant articles. Key words included metformin, obesity, overweight, and weight loss.

Pharmacotherapeutic options for overweight adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of current pharmacotherapeutic options for weight loss in overweight adolescents.

Data Sources: Literature was obtained through MEDLINE Ovid (1996-April 2007) and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (1991-2nd quarter 2007) searches and a bibliographic review of published articles. Key words included adolescents, overweight, obesity, anti-obesity agents, drug therapy, orlistat, sibutramine, and metformin.

Meta-analysis of drug-induced adverse events associated with intensive-dose statin therapy.

Background: Randomized trials evaluating intensive dose statin therapy have found enhanced protection against cardiovascular (CV) events compared with moderate-dose statin therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the potential for an increase in the risk of drug-induced adverse events with such therapy has not been quantified.

Objective: This meta-analysis was performed to compare the incremental risks associated with intensive- and moderate-dose statin therapy.

Anemia in critical care patients: incidence, etiology, impact, management, and use of treatment guidelines and protocols.

Purpose: The incidence, etiology, impact, and management of anemia in critical care patients and the development of treatment guidelines and protocols for the management of anemia in this patient population are discussed.

Summary: Most patients in intensive care units develop anemia as a result of blood losses, nutritional deficiencies, hemolysis, myelosuppression, renal insufficiency, inflammation, infection, or another disease process. Anemia can have an adverse impact on critically ill patients with severe ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease and patients undergoing surgery.

Linezolid-associated serotonin syndrome after concomitant treatment with citalopram and mirtazepine in a critically ill bone marrow transplant recipient.

Linezolid was initially discovered as an antidepressant because of its effect on blocking intracellular metabolism of serotonin, norepinephrine, and other biogenic amines. As time passed, it was realized that linezolid possessed antibacterial activity, and linezolid has been developed and marketed as such. In medicine we are quick to categorize drugs into specific classes as a mechanism to recall indication and use.

Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on thrombotic mediators: potential clinical implications.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) were initially developed as therapeutic agents targeted for the treatment of hypertension. Since the initial application of these agents, several additional clinical indications have been identified such as coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and prevention of diabetes-related complications. In addition to the blood pressure lowering effects, this class of agents has the ability to restore endothelial function, decrease oxidative stress and enhance endogenous fibrinolysis.

Polymorphism induced sensitivity to warfarin: a review of the literature.

Warfarin is a widely prescribed anticoagulant used for prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis. Although warfarin is considered very efficacious, it has substantial risks associated with its use, specifically the risk of hemorrhage. Genetic variants associated with the metabolism of (S)-warfarin by cytochrome P450 2C9 may have specific implications on untoward effects.

Aspirin resistance and genetic polymorphisms.

Differences in genetic makeup or polymorphisms can affect individual drug response. Detecting genetic variation may help predict how a patient will respond to a drug and could be used as a tool to select optimal therapy, tailor dosage regimens, and improve clinical outcomes. The data are replete relative to the therapeutic efficacy of aspirin (ASA) for the prevention of ischemic events.

Possible mechanisms of aspirin resistance.

Data regarding possible mechanisms of aspirin (ASA) resistance in patients with recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) or vascular ischemia are limited. Five major possible mechanisms of ASA resistance are documented in the primary literature and are discussed in this paper. These mechanisms include: (1) inadequate blockade of erythrocyte-induced platelet activation; (2) biosynthesis of F2-isoprostane 8-iso-prostaglandin (PGF2alpha), a bioactive product of arachidonic acid peroxidation; (3) stimulation of platelet aggregation by cigarette smoking; (4) ASA resistant platelet aggregability by increased levels of norepinephrine, as seen during excessive exercise or periods of mental stress; and (5) increased platelet sensitivity to collagen.

A synopsis of the clinical uses of argatroban.

Argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, has been used in Japan since the early 1980's and was recently approved for use in the United States for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. However, its use has been studied in other clinical settings including, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention and cerebral thrombosis. The doses used in the different clinical situations vary, but argatroban offers the advantage of not requiring renal adjustment.