Clock gene Per2 modulates epidermal tissue repair in vivo.

Wound healing can be influenced by genes that control the circadian cycle, including Per2 and BMAL1, which coordinate the functions of several organs, including the skin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of PER2 during experimental skin wound healing. Two groups (control and Per2-KO), consisting of 14 male mice each, were anesthetized by inhalation, and two 6 mm wounds were created on their dorsal skin using a punch biopsy.

Spatiotemporal mapping of immune and stem cell dysregulation after volumetric muscle loss.

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is an acute trauma that results in persistent inflammation, supplantation of muscle tissue with fibrotic scarring, and decreased muscle function. The cell types, nature of cellular communication, and tissue locations that drive the aberrant VML response have remained elusive. Herein, we used spatial transcriptomics on a mouse model of VML and observed that VML engenders a unique spatial profibrotic pattern driven by crosstalk between fibrotic and inflammatory macrophages and mesenchymal-derived cells.

Internal nasal dimensions of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia: comparison between acoustic rhinometry technique and cone-beam computed tomography.

Purpose: To compare the nasal cavity geometry of children and teenagers with cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia by two methods: cone-beam computed tomography, considered the gold standard, and acoustic rhinometry.

Methods: Data on cone-beam computed tomography and acoustic rhinometry examinations of 17 children and teenagers with cleft lip and palate and maxillary atresia, previously obtained for orthodontic planning purposes, were evaluated prospectively. Using Dolphin Imaging 11.

Phenotypes of CF rabbits generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the CFTR gene.

Existing animal models of cystic fibrosis (CF) have provided key insights into CF pathogenesis but have been limited by short lifespans, absence of key phenotypes, and/or high maintenance costs. Here, we report the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of CF rabbits, a model with a relatively long lifespan and affordable maintenance and care costs. CF rabbits supplemented solely with oral osmotic laxative had a median survival of approximately 40 days and died of gastrointestinal disease, but therapeutic regimens directed toward restoring gastrointestinal transit extended median survival to approximately 80 days.

Acarbose has sex-dependent and -independent effects on age-related physical function, cardiac health, and lipid biology.

With an expanding aging population burdened with comorbidities, there is considerable interest in treatments that optimize health in later life. Acarbose (ACA), a drug used clinically to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can extend mouse life span with greater effect in males than in females. Using a genetically heterogeneous mouse model, we tested the ability of ACA to ameliorate functional, pathological, and biochemical changes that occur during aging, and we determined which of the effects of age and drug were sex dependent.

Antibiotic stewardship teams and practices in United States hospitals: A national survey in The Joint Commission antibiotic stewardship standard era.

Objective: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can be prevented through infection prevention practices and antibiotic stewardship. Diagnostic stewardship (ie, strategies to improve use of microbiological testing) can also improve antibiotic use. However, little is known about the use of such practices in US hospitals, especially after multidisciplinary stewardship programs became a requirement for US hospital accreditation in 2017.

Nanotopographical control of surfaces using chemical vapor deposition processes.

In recent years much work has been conducted in order to create patterned and structured polymer coatings using vapor deposition techniques - not only via post-deposition treatment, but also directly during the deposition process. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures can be achieved via various vapor deposition strategies, for instance, using masks, exploiting surface properties that lead to spatially selective deposition, via the use of additional porogens or by employing oblique angle polymerization deposition. Here, we provide a concise review of these studies.

A Program to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Care.

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common device-associated infection in hospitals. Both technical factors--appropriate catheter use, aseptic insertion, and proper maintenance--and socioadaptive factors, such as cultural and behavioral changes in hospital units, are important in preventing catheter-associated UTI.

Methods: The national Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, aimed to reduce catheter-associated UTI in intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICUs.

Biosimilars: Implications for health-system pharmacists.

Purpose: An update on scientific and regulatory challenges in the rapidly evolving field of biosimilar product development is presented.

Summary: The U.S.

Stability of vecuronium in sterile water for injection stored in polypropylene syringes for 21 days.

Purpose: The stability of vecuronium bromide 1 mg/mL in preservative-free sterile water for injection for up to 21 days was studied.

Methods: A vecuronium bromide 1-mg/mL solution was prepared by diluting 15 vials of 10-mg Vecuronium Bromide for Injection, USP, powder with preservative-free sterile water for injection and adding the solution to an evacuated i.v.

Effect of pharmacy practice residency training on residents' knowledge of and interest in clinical research.

Purpose: The effect of pharmacy practice residency training on subjectively and objectively assessed research knowledge, skills, and interests of residents was studied.

Methods: A preintervention versus post-intervention design was used. Residency year 2004- 05 residents were administered a validated Web-based survey at the beginning of residency and again at the end of residency.

Treatment and control of blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: A study was conducted to characterize the prevalence of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus and the percentage of patients with diabetes and hypertension who achieved a targeted blood pressure goal (<135/80 mm Hg).

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in an ambulatory care clinic. Eligible patients were those individuals being managed for type 2 diabetes mellitus at least once each year for two consecutive years.

Evaluation of clinical research knowledge and interest among pharmacy residents: survey design and validation.

Purpose: The development and validation of a survey to describe the research knowledge, attitudes, and skills of pharmacy practice residents are described.

Summary: A survey was drafted to determine if pharmacy practice residency experience and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-required project improve the residents' objectively and subjectively assessed research knowledge, to determine if the residency experience and the ASHP-required project affect the residents' attitudes regarding research as a component of their future professional practice, and to subjectively assess the effect of the residency experience and the ASHP-required project on other essential skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and time management. An initial questionnaire was developed and underwent content validation testing by clinical pharmacists and faculty, residents, and research fellows.

Treatment of electrolyte disorders in adult patients in the intensive care unit.

Purpose: The treatment of electrolyte disorders in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including guidelines for correcting specific electrolyte disorders, is reviewed.

Summary: Electrolytes are involved in many metabolic and homeostatic functions. Electrolyte disorders are common in adult patients in the ICU and have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as has the improper treatment of electrolyte disorders.

Metabolic complications of parenteral nutrition in adults, Part 2.

Purpose: Common metabolic complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN) are reviewed, and the consequences of overfeeding and variables for patient monitoring are discussed.

Summary: Although PN is a lifesaving therapy in patients with gastrontestinal failure, its use may be associated with metabolic, infectious, and technical complications. The metabolic complications associated with PN in adult patients include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercapnia, refeeding syndrome, acid-base disturbances, liver complications, manganese toxicity, and metabolic bone disease.

Association between hospital size and quality improvement for pharmaceutical services.

Purpose: The relationship between hospital size and quality improvement (QI) for pharmaceutical services was studied.

Methods: A questionnaire on QI was sent to hospital pharmacy directors in Michigan and Florida in 2002. The questionnaire included items on QI lead-team composition, QI tools, QI training, and QI culture.

A rapid-cycle collaborative model to promote guidelines for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: This American College of Cardiology (ACC) Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Guidelines Applied in Practice (GAP) collaborative in Michigan represented ACC's third initiative, in partnership with local health care coalitions and the Michigan Peer Review Organization. The GAP Pilot Project formed the basis for this project, which supported caregivers' efforts to improve their processes and consistently apply the evidence-based guidelines for AMI care.

The Southeast Michigan Expansion Project: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Breakthrough Series model of improvement was modified to merge the GAP Pilot Project's design with a rapid-cycle quality improvement model.

Pharmaceutical cost growth under capitation: a case study.

Rising drug spending has generated concern among purchasers and policymakers. This paper compares drug cost growth in a capitated system with that in managed care systems that generally did not place physicians directly at risk for drug spending. We focus on cost growth because a substantial body of literature indicates that managed care interventions that reduce the level of costs may not influence the rate of cost growth.