bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved periconceptional use of folic acid after patient education in pharmacies: promising results of a pilot study in the Netherlands
Authors: Meijer Willemijn M , de Smit Denhard J , Jurgens Renate A , van den Berg Lolkje T W de Jong 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveAlthough most Dutch women plan their pregnancy, less then half begin using folic acid supplements before they become pregnant. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the provision of unsolicited information through community pharmacies on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards folic acid of women receiving oral contraceptives on prescription.MethodSeven of nine community pharmacies (four intervention and three ‘reference’ pharmacies) in a small Dutch city participated in the study. A sample of 880 women (600 from intervention and 280 from reference pharmacies) receiving oral contraceptives on prescription were sent a postal questionnaire. The questions covered knowledge of, attitude towards and future intentions to take folic acid. Women were also asked whether they had received a sticker and leaflet about folic acid (the interventions) during the previous year, and about sources of information on folic acid. Demographic information requested included age and any previous pregnancies.Key findingsThree-quarters of women in the intervention group reported receiving a sticker about folic acid and 48.4% said they had received a leaflet. Women who received information about folic acid with their oral contraceptives knew more about folic acid and there were differences in attitudes towards and intended use of folic acid in relation to women in the reference group. Some of the differences were statistically significant and were particularly evident among women who had not previously had a child (nulligravidae) and those who were intending to become pregnant within the next 12 months.ConclusionThis study showed that providing information about folic acid from pharmacies to women using oral contraceptives has the potential to increase awareness and use of folic acid among women planning to become pregnant.
Pharmaceutical care services: a systematic review of published studies, 1990 to 2003, examining effectiveness in improving patient outcomes
Authors: Roughead E E , Semple S J , Vitry A I 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically review the evidence for the effect of pharmaceutical care practice on patient outcomes.SettingCommunity and outpatient setting.MethodRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between 1990 and 2003 were identified through a systematic literature search. To be included, studies had to assess the effect of a pharmaceutical care intervention, defined as a one-to-one consultation between each patient and a pharmacist with a focus on managing health or resolving drug-related problems, development of a care plan and follow-up.Key findingsTwenty-two RCTs met the review criteria. Studies targeted general patient populations at risk of drug-related problems, disease-specific target groups or patients with risk factors including hypertension and raised cholesterol. While a number of trials have been undertaken, the variability in the application of endpoints utilised means the evidence for effectiveness of single endpoints apart from quality of life is generally limited to one or two controlled trial results. Collectively, the studies provide evidence that the service improves signs and symptoms for people with asthma, surrogate endpoints such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels and glycosylated haemoglobin and medication use, but do not provide evidence supporting improved health-related quality of life. One study showed an improvement in combined all-cause mortality and non-fatal heart failure-related events in patients with heart failure.ConclusionPharmaceutical care services are effective in improving medication use and surrogate endpoints, but improvement in other outcomes is less conclusive. Given that the focus of the service is to resolve medication-related problems, consideration should be given to the use of adverse drug events and resolution of medication-related problems as an outcome measure in future studies.
UK survey of the provision of multicompartment compliance aids and medicines reminder charts on discharge from hospital
Authors: Green Christopher F , McCloskey Sinead 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
To describe and characterise the provision of multicompartment compliance aids (MCAs) and medicine reminder charts (MRCs) in UK hospitals; to investigate the transfer of information about these items between secondary and primary care and to investigate methods of remuneration for MCA supply in primary care.

Method
A structured questionnaire was sent to the dispensary manager at each of the 217 acute hospitals in the UK with one reminder after four weeks. Questions covered whether the hospital provided MCAs and MRCs and, if so, the process for deciding which patients should receive one and the type of device to be used. The survey also explored local arrangements for continuing the use of MCAs and MRCs after the patient was discharged from hospital.

Key findings
The response rate was 73.7% (160) and one or more type of MCA and/or MRC were supplied by 134 hospitals to some patients on discharge. Medicines reminder charts were supplied by 106 (66.3%) hospitals. Reusable MCAs were supplied by 131 (81.9%) hospitals and sealed blister pack MCAs were supplied by 35 (21.9%) hospitals. Only 26 (16.3%) hospitals reported having formal methods of targeting which patients should receive a compliance aid. The most common method of funding for the filling of compliance aids by community pharmacists was reported to be the use of weekly repeat prescriptions in 38 (28.4%) primary care trusts (PCTs) and a specific fee for dispensing compliance aids in 12 (9%). Information about the compliance aid was communicated to the patient's community pharmacist by 66 (49.2%) hospitals. Information about the compliance aid was communicated to the patient's general practitioner by 77 (57.5%) hospitals.

Conclusion
MCAs are supplied by the majority of hospitals in the UK but only a minority said they had a formal system to target patients for their use. Arrangements for remuneration for supplying and filling MCAs were variable. Our results show that transfer of information between secondary and primary care about MCAs needs to be improved.
The role of the pharmacist in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS: an exploratory study of the establishment of AIDS Resource Centres in pharmacies
Authors: Gilbert Leah 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
The magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, particularly its rapid growth and the inability of existing health structures to respond to the rising needs for treatment, has had a profound impact on South African society. The epidemic has specifically affected the healthcare services, in that it calls for greater involvement of all health professionals, including pharmacists. There is undoubtedly potential for community pharmacists to be involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and the fact that many community pharmacies already have private areas for consultation and a designated professional to offer advice renders them an ideal space for these activities. The objective of the study was to explore the role played by pharmacists in the prevention and management of the epidemic.

Methods
The paper synthesises data from three sources: documentary analysis of official reports; a telephone survey of 112 community pharmacies in Johannesburg; and interviews with three key informants from pharmaceutical organisations and pharmacists involved with the governmental anti-retroviral programme.

Key findings
The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) embarked on the process of establishing AIDS Resource Centres in pharmacies. Six months later 55% of the pharmacists interviewed had heard about it and 33% of these knew very little about it. The SAPC and the PSSA have developed strict criteria for the accreditation of pharmacists and AIDS Resource Centres, so that the consumer can be assured of a high quality of service. At the time of the survey, 40% of pharmacists said they intended to apply for accreditation at this stage. Most pharmacists (82%) reported that they were already involved in some HIV/AIDS-related activities, without having acquired additional training and specific accreditation. This paper analyses pharmacists' readiness and ability to develop these services and discusses possible barriers to successful implementation of the programme.

Conclusion
The HIV/AIDS epidemic generally, and in South Africa in particular, poses challenges for all health professionals. This paper demonstrates the willingness of the professional pharmacy establishment in South Africa to co-operate with the government in order to confront the epidemic and respond to national needs; it also highlights the potential difficulties inherent in the process. Given the nature of the epidemic in South Africa, pharmacy is potentially in a position to rise to the challenges presented and place itself at the centre of the professional team. However the findings of this study show that achieving this will require substantial adjustments in pharmacists' practice, good communication skills between pharmacists and their customers, and considerable goodwill among pharmacists on the ground.
Identification of medication error through community pharmacies
Authors: Warner Bruce , Gerrett David 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
The objective of this study was to record medication error against specific categories identified through community pharmacies in Southern Derbyshire.

Method
A piloted diary-based reporting instrument was used with defined medication error incident type related to who identified the error and the stage in the process when the error was discovered.

Setting
Community pharmacies in Southern Derbyshire (UK) between October 2002 and October 2003.

Key findings
Seventeen pharmacies over 104 months supplied 485 940 prescribed items and provided data on 987 medication errors. A large variation in error reporting between pharmacies was noted. Pharmacists identified 72% of reported errors. This has implications for system change, clinical governance and the evolving role of the pharmacy technician. Critically, 23% of reported errors were identified after medicines were issued to patients or carers. This begs a question as to the effectiveness of current practice in identifying error early in the process. Of 968 recorded errors for which full data were available, 70% were classed as dispensing errors. This compared with 24.1% of recorded errors being prescribing and 6.0% as ‘other’ types of error. While 25.2% of identified errors concerned the wrong strength or form of medication, more worryingly, 11.0% of identified errors involved the wrong drug being potentially or actually dispensed.

Conclusions
We conclude that medication error will occur in current practice. There are identifiable deficiencies in practice that leave patients potentially exposed. This study provides benchmark figures on reported error and concludes that there are specific areas of concern for future research.
Effectiveness and acceptability of community pharmacy-based interventions in type 2 diabetes: a critical review of intervention design, pharmacist and patient perspectives
Authors: Blenkinsopp Alison , Hassey Alan 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
It is generally accepted that greater use could be made of community pharmacy-based interventions. Diabetes care has been proposed as an area for enhanced community pharmacy involvement. However there is no published structured review of available evidence of either effectiveness or acceptability. This review aims to identify and assess such evidence and to synthesise findings to inform the design and delivery of future community pharmacy-based interventions in diabetes care.

Method
A systematic search of published literature was conducted using a defined search strategy, electronic databases and targeted hand searching of non Index Medicus journals. The search dates were 1990–2003. The scope was international and we included only articles in the English language. Key findings Seven experimental studies which tested community pharmacy-based interventions were reviewed. Four different primary outcomes were studied: diabetes control (three studies), adherence (two studies), medication problems (one study) and patient knowledge (one study). Six studies showed positive outcomes, and the findings were statistically significant in two. The theoretical basis of the interventions was unclear. Only one study included a cost-effectiveness analysis, and the interventions were provided free of charge to patients in all seven studies. Nine attitudinal studies were included, five involving pharmacists and four with patients. Members of the public do not currently expect community pharmacists to become involved in discussions about diabetes treatment and its monitoring, but when such services are offered they are well used by patients. Pharmacists were positive about the provision of services for people with diabetes. Patients' experiences indicated that community pharmacists overestimate their current provision of information and advice to people with diabetes.

Conclusions
There is limited evidence of effectiveness of community pharmacy-based interventions in diabetes care. Components of pharmacy-based intervention which appear to contribute to effectiveness include: elicitation and discussion of patient beliefs about their diabetes and its treatment; discussion of how patients are using their medicines; review of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels; and assessing and supporting necessary lifestyle changes. Further research is needed and future interventions need to incorporate evidence from the literature on patient and pharmacist perspectives on diabetes. The findings of this review will be useful to researchers and service planners involved in developing community pharmacy-based diabetes care.
Community pharmacy provision of allergic rhinitis treatments: a longitudinal study of patient reported outcome
Authors: Sinclair Hazel , Bond Christine , Largue Gordon , Price David , Hannaford Philip 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
To monitor and compare the symptoms, and reported quality of life, of two groups of people who obtained treatment for allergic rhinitis from community pharmacies (prescribed or purchased).

Method
Subjects were recruited by 64 community pharmacies in 2001 and followed up by postal questionnaire at four time points: five days, four weeks, eight weeks and 26 weeks. Setting Primary care: community pharmacies in Grampian, Scotland.

Results
Response rates: five days — 84%; four weeks — 63%; eight weeks — 59%; 26 weeks — 56%. Three hundred and twenty-four subjects completed the five-day questionnaire (138 prescribed, 186 purchased). There were no important differences between groups in socio-economic variables monitored. The commonest treatments provided were antihistamines (non-sedating: 63% prescribed, 59% purchased; sedating: 3% prescribed, 16% purchased). Despite treatment, symptoms and quality-of-life impairments remained high; the prescribed group reported higher levels of many symptoms (including asthma), and lower quality of life at early time points. Most were satisfied with their treatment and few reported unmet need for pharmacy advice (11% prescribed, 3% purchased group).

Conclusion
Despite high levels of patient satisfaction with allergic rhinitis treatment, symptoms and quality-of-life impairments remained high in both groups. Widespread implementation of ‘allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma’ (ARIA) guidelines for physicians and for pharmacists might improve management of symptoms and quality of life of patients.
Maximum aerobic performance in lines ofMusselected for high wheel-running activity: effects of selection, oxygen availability and the mini-muscle phenotype
Authors: Rezende Enrico L. , Garland Theodore , Chappell Mark A. , Malisch Jessica L. , Gomes Fernando R. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYWe compared maximum aerobic capacity during forced exercise(V̇O2max) in hypoxia (PO2=14% O2), normoxia (21%) and hyperoxia (30%) of lines of house mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running (S lines) with their four unselected control (C) lines. We also tested for pleiotropic effects of the `mighty mini-muscle' allele, a Mendelian recessive that causes a 50% reduction in hind limb muscle but a doubling of mass-specific aerobic enzyme activity, among other pleiotropic effects. V̇O2max of female mice was measured during forced exercise on a motorized treadmill enclosed in a metabolic chamber that allowed altered PO2. Individual variation in V̇O2max was highly repeatable within each PO2, and values were also significantly correlated across PO2. Analysis of covariance showed that S mice had higher body-mass-adjusted V̇O2max than C at all PO2, ranging from +10.7% in hypoxia to +20.8% in hyperoxia. V̇O2maxof S lines increased practically linearly with PO2,whereas that of C lines plateaued from normoxia to hyperoxia, and respiratory exchange ratio (=CO2production/V̇O2max)was lower for S lines. These results suggest that the physiological underpinnings of V̇O2max differ between the S and C lines. Apparently, at least in S lines, peripheral tissues may sustain higher rates of oxidative metabolism if central organs provide more O2. Although the existence of central limitations in S lines cannot be excluded based solely on the present data, we have previously reported that both S and C lines can attain considerably higher V̇O2max during cold exposure in a He-O2 atmosphere, suggesting that limitations on V̇O2max depend on interactions between the central and peripheral organs involved. In addition,mini-muscle individuals had higher V̇O2max than did those with normal muscles, suggesting that the former might have higher hypoxia tolerance. This would imply that the mini-muscle phenotype could be a good model to test how exercise performance and hypoxia tolerance could evolve in a correlated fashion, as previous researchers have suggested.
Dietary choice behavior inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Shtonda Boris Borisovich , Avery Leon 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYAnimals have evolved diverse behaviors that serve the purpose of finding food in the environment. We investigated the food seeking strategy of the soil bacteria-eating nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans bacterial food varies in quality: some species are easy to eat and support worm growth well, while others do not. We show that worms exhibit dietary choice: they hunt for high quality food and leave hard-to-eat bacteria. This food seeking behavior is enhanced in animals that have already experienced good food. When hunting for good food, worms alternate between two modes of locomotion, known as dwelling: movement with frequent stops and reversals; and roaming: straight rapid movement. On good food, roaming is very rare, while on bad food it is common. Using laser ablations and mutant analysis, we show that the AIY neurons serve to extend roaming periods, and are essential for efficient food seeking.
Pupil shapes and lens optics in the eyes of terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: Malmström Tim , Kröger Ronald H. H. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYAnimal eyes that are primarily used under low-light conditions usually have optical systems of short depth of focus, such that chromatic defocus may lead to considerable blurring of the images. In some vertebrates, the problem is solved by multifocal lenses having concentric zones of different focal lengths, each of which focuses a different relevant spectral range onto the retina. A partially constricted circular pupil would shade the peripheral zones of the lens, leading to the loss of well-focused images at relevant wavelengths. The slit pupil, however, allows for use of the full diameter of the lens even in bright light. We studied species of terrestrial vertebrates from a variety of phylogenetic groups to establish how widespread multifocal lenses are and how pupil shapes are adapted to the optical systems. We found that multifocal lenses are common from amphibians to mammals, including primates. Slit pupils were only present in animals having multifocal optical systems. Among the felids, small species have multifocal lenses and slit pupils, while large species have monofocal lenses and round pupils. The Eurasian lynx, a cat of intermediate size, has an intermediate eye design. The functional significance of the absence of multifocal optical systems in large felids remains mysterious, because such systems are present in other large-eyed terrestrial vertebrates. Multifocal optical systems in nocturnal prosimians suggest that those animals have colour vision despite being described as cone monochromats.
On the importance of radiative heat exchange during nocturnal flight in birds
Authors: Léger Jérôme , Larochelle Jacques 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARY
Many migratory flights take place during cloudless nights, thus under conditions where the sky temperature can commonly be 20°C below local air temperature. The sky then acts as a radiative sink, leading objects exposed to it to have a lower surface temperature than unexposed ones because less infrared energy is received from the sky than from the surfaces that are isothermic to air. To investigate the significance of this effect for heat dissipation during nocturnal flight in birds, we built a wind tunnel with the facility to control wall temperature (TASK) and air temperature (TAIR) independently at air speeds(UWIN) comparable to flying speeds. We used it to measure the influence of TASK, TAIR and UWIN on plumage and skin temperatures in pigeons having to dissipate a thermal load while constrained at rest in a flight posture.
Our results show that the temperature of the flight and insulation plumages exposed to a radiative sink can be accurately described by multiple regression models (r2&gt;0.96) based only on TAIR, TASK and UWIN. Predictions based on these models indicate that while convection dominates heat loss for a plumage exposed to air moving at flight speed in a thermally uniform environment, radiation may dominate in the presence of a radiative sink comparable to a clear sky.
Our data also indicate that reducing TASK to a temperature 20°C below TAIR can increase the temperature difference across the exposed plumage by at least 13% and thus facilitate heat flow through the main thermal resistance to the loss of internally produced heat in birds. While extrapolation from our experimentally constrained conditions to free flight in the atmosphere is difficult, our results suggest that the sky temperature has been a neglected factor in determining the range of TAIR over which prolonged flight is possible.