The Perceived Influence of Clinical Pharmacy Services on Physician Prescribing Behavior: A Matched-Pair Comparison of Pharmacists and Physicians

In contrast with cross-sectional designs used in previous studies, this exploratory study compared survey data from 127 matched pairs of clinical pharmacists and physicians working together. Physicians' perceptions of the importance of clinical pharmacy activities for patient care and the competence of pharmacists performing the activities were examined for their influence on prescribing behavior in an institutional setting. Data from a national survey showed that physicians rated pharmacists higher regarding recommendations based on drug use evaluations (p = 0.004) and competency to provide all clinical pharmacy services. Scores for pharmacokinetics ratings were similar between pharmacists and physicians (p = 0.168). Pharmacists rated the importance of recommendations based on cost-effectiveness higher than physicians (p = 0.012). Overall, physicians' perceptions of activity importance for patient care and pharmacist competency appear to dictate pharmacists' influence on physician prescribing behavior (R = 0.723).     

The impact of poverty on educational outcomes for children

Over the past decade, the unfortunate reality is that the income gap has widened between Canadian families. Educational outcomes are one of the key areas influenced by family incomes. Children from low-income families often start school already behind their peers who come from more affluent families, as shown in measures of school readiness. The incidence, depth, duration and timing of poverty all influence a child’s educational attainment, along with community characteristics and social networks. However, both Canadian and international interventions have shown that the effects of poverty can be reduced using sustainable interventions. Paediatricians and family doctors have many opportunities to influence readiness for school and educational success in primary care settings.     

Trisomy 12 in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines of normal individuals and patients with nonhematologic malignancies

Karyotypes of 36 lymphoblastoid cell lines established by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of eight normal individuals and 28 patients with various nonhematologic malignancies were analyzed. In seven lines (19.4%), cells with trisomy 12 were noted, with clonality in two of these lines. In two of 11 metaphases with such trisomy, chromosome 12 was involved in structural rearrangements [t(8;12)(q12;p12) and t(12;12)(q11;q24)]. No cells with trisomy 12 were observed in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated PBL cultures of these individuals. In 250 individuals (normal and with nonhematologic malignancies) examined in our laboratory in the last 5 years, extra copies of chromosome 12 in PHA-stimulated PBL cultures were observed in only five of 23,216 cells (0.02%). There were no cases of clonality in these samples. The frequency of an extra chromosome 12 was comparable to that of the other chromosomes except 21 and X, whose frequency of occurrence was 0.08% and 0.09%, respectively. These findings should be considered random events in PHA-stimulated PBL. On the contrary, in lymphoblastoid cell lines established by EBV transformation, trisomy of chromosome 12 was the most frequent numerical abnormality. It was observed in 64.7% of all cases with chromosome gains and therefore could not be considered a random occurrence. The specificity of this phenomenon for EBV transformation is supported by the results of cytogenetic analysis of eight lymphoblastoid cell lines established by an alternative procedure in our laboratory [1]. In 400 cells analyzed not a single cell with trisomy 12 was observed. We suggest that EBV transformation might either randomly induce formation of such cells in immortalized B-cell populations or show potentially blastomogenic cells or proneness to their formation in certain individuals who could be predisposed to develop lymphoproliferative diseases, especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in which trisomy of chromosome 12 is the most common alteration.     

Is ribosomal cistron activity increased in human lymphoblastoid cell lines?

The genomic activity of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in eight human B-cell lymphoblastoid cell lines was studied following the routinely used Ag-NOR technique. The results demonstrate that (a) Ag-NORs are located in the short arms of D- and G-group chromosomes, (b) two out of eight cell lines have 66.7% and 49.0% of metaphases, respectively, with 9 to 10 active Ag-NORs, and (c) as a whole, Ag-NOR activity is much higher in B-cell lines as compared with conventional 72-hr peripheral blood lymphocyte (T-cell) harvests.     

Transformation of immortal, non-tumorigenic osteoblast-like human osteosarcoma cells to the tumorigenic phenotype by nickel sulfate

Epidemiological studies have indirectly linked compounds ofchromium, nickel and arsenic to human carcinogenesis. However,there is no evidence that metal compounds can transform humancells to the tumorigenic phenotype in culture. We show herethat exposure to 36 µM NiS0₄ for 48–96 h resultsin transformation of an immortal, non-tumorigenic, osteoblast-likecell line, HOS TE85, to the tumorigenic phenotype. Continuouspassaging following treatment leads to the formation of a fewdense foci. The cells isolated and expanded from the foci aremorphologically transformed, and form anchorage-independentcolonies of the size and abundance comparable to that formedby Kirsten murine sarcoma virus transformed HOS TE85 cells.The transformed cells from tumors in nude mice, have enhancedlevels of plasminogen activators and have lost the ability toform model bone matrix on extended culture in the presence ofascorbic acid and ß-glycerophosphate. A number ofcell lines have been established from nude mouse tumors. Cytogeneticanalysis reveals 16 marker chromosomes and an aberrant chromosome16. This is the first report of the transformation of a humancell line to tumorigenic phenotype by a metal carcinogen.     

Seroprevalence of HIV-1 and hepatitis B and C in prostitutes in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A survey of persons soliciting sex in an area known to be frequented by prostitutes in Albuquerque, NM, included 43 females and 66 males. Seroprevalence rates found in this population-based study were as follows: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), 3%; hepatitis B, 39%; hepatitis C, 45%. Increased age, intravenous drug use, and condom use were independent risk factors for hepatitis B. Female gender and intravenous drug use were independent risk factors for hepatitis C. Neither sharing injection equipment nor engaging in receptive anal intercourse was independently associated with hepatitis B or C.     

Verrucous carcinoma of larynx

A 55 years male presented with hoarsness of voice (4 months), cough (1 month), difficulty in breathing (15 days). Patient underwent an emergency tracneostomy and further workup proved it to be a case of verrucous carcinoma of larynx. Patient was treated surgically with satisfactory result.