Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Assessment Of Antimicrobial Transition Errors From Hospitals To Skilled Nursing Facilities, Amy Y. Kang, Guarina A. Garcia Delgado, Ashley Nguyen, Maddie Yeh, Tracy Ly, Richard C. Beuttler, Abisay Ortega, Donna Phan Tran, Evelyn Flores, Charis Tjeong, Andrew Bishop, Praneet Kalkat, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background More than 1 million Americans reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Antimicrobial transition errors among patients transferred from hospital to SNFs pose safety risks and may lead to poor outcomes, but data on such errors are limited.   Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of infectious diseases clinics from 1 June 2020 through 30 November 2023 at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, a large safety-net health system. We performed logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with antimicrobial transition errors and poor infection outcomes.   Results We screened records of 6865 clinic patients, among whom 112 were …

Improving Hba1c And Diabetes Preventative Screening Measures In Spanish-Speaking Patients With Clinical Pharmacist Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Jennifer Ko, Tila P. Nguyen, Bonnie K. Chen, Richard Beuttler

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

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Evidentiary Standards For Newly Approved Antibiotics For Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, John H. Powers Iii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and are typically treated with existing oral antibiotics. In 2024–2025, the FDA approved two new oral agents, sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid and gepotidacin, via expedited review pathways, for the treatment of uUTIs. Objective: To assess the clinical significance and regulatory evidence supporting FDA approval of sulopenem/probenecid and gepotidacin for uUTI, and to analyze the adherence of pivotal phase III trials to regulatory standards for approval and FDA guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants: Comparative descriptive analysis of publicly available data from phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical …

Algorithmic Opacity In Opioid Risk Scoring And The Need For Transparent Ai Regulation, Sherry Yun Wang, Ryan Stofer, Zhouzhou Chu, Xiao Huang, Ang Li

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

NarxCare®, a proprietary opioid risk scoring system embedded in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), has generated significant patient complaints. We adhered to the technical specifications and applied them to PDMP and IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus Closed Health Plan claims database. Despite adding socioeconomic covariates, precision (0.01–0.32) was far below the reported benchmark of 0.75, and F1 scores (0.02–0.39) were also substantially lower than the benchmark value of 0.65, across all our reconstructed models.

Disruption Of Proteoglycan 4 (Prg4)-Cd44 Signaling Modulates Chronic Synovitis In Conditionally Inactivated Mice, Khaled A. Elsaid, Ling Zhang, Thomas Zhao, Ava Marks, Derek Jenkins, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Proteoglycan-4 (PRG4) is a mucinous glycoprotein secreted by synovial fibroblasts and superficial zone chondrocytes. PRG4 inhibits synovial macrophage (SM) activation via xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxia inducible factor alpha (HIF-1α) suppression. We aimed to evaluate the contribution of PRG4-CD44 interaction to synovial homeostasis and investigate PRG4’s signaling dysfunction in synovial tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that CD44 mediates synovitis due to PRG4 loss and that PRG4 signaling dysfunction is associated with high-grade synovitis in OA.

Methods

Prg4^{FrtloxP/FrtloxP} are transgenic mice wherein tamoxifen (TAM) inactivates the Frt allele and creates a knockout state (Prg4^{FrtKO/FrtKO …}

2300 Ferry, Kylie Miskovic

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Gateway to Hope is the syringe service program located at 2300 Ferry Street that provides not only syringes and other sterile medical equipment for injections but also wound cleaning, medications, and even toiletries. People can also receive basic health services there, and for many people who access these services, this is the only time they interact with the health care system. Located in the same building is the Recovery Café, a welcoming space for anyone in recovery from substance use disorders and anything else. Available to members of either organization is the clothing closet, where people can come and get …

Neonatal Sepsis: Empiric Treatment And Monitoring Of Gentamicin Troughs In The Nicu, Aleese Palfreyman

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

The Effects Of Antihistamines On Drowsiness, Symptom Relief, And Restless Leg Syndrome, Suki Kaur

Posters-at-the-Capitol

“Antihistamine” categorizes a large selection of drugs, all with different side effects and user experiences. This study explores the relationships between allergy medicine usage, side effects, symptom relief, and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) using data collected from 113 participants of an anonymous online survey. Five hypotheses were tested using chi-square analyses of independence at a significance level of 0.05. The data revealed a strong statistical association between first-generation antihistamine (Benadryl) use and drowsiness, misuse of allergy medicine and RLS, drowsiness and RLS, and duration of use and routine disruption. The data did not find a statistically significant relationship between relief …

Fda Approval Of The Eversense 365 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: A New Era In Long-Term Glucose Monitoring, Kiley Devoll, Alexander Defranco, Kennedy Kosikowski, Anna Spalvieri, Macy Davis, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, Emily Eddy

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Eversense 365 is an implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system designed to provide accurate glucose measurements for up to 365 days. Current clinical guidelines recommend CGM use for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with evidence demonstrating benefit in patients with T2DM regardless of concurrent insulin use. Healthcare providers play a key role in patient education and are well-positioned to support the adoption of long-term CGM technologies, including Eversense 365. The safety and efficacy of the 365-day CGM have been evaluated across a series of clinical trials, which demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in …

P-78. Susceptibility Of Omadacycline In Bone And Joint Infections: Pathogen Susceptibility And Regimen Decisions From An Ongoing Randomized Controlled Trial, Amy Y. Kang, Evelyn A. Flores, Donna Phan Tran, Buchen (Olivia) Han, Isabel Payan, Guarina Garcia Delgado, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background   Treatment of Bone and joint infections (BJIs) with oral antibiotics may have benefits compared to IV therapy. Yet oral treatment options may be limited by lack of options due to antibiotic-resistant pathogens and tolerability concerns. Omadacycline has in vitro activity against common BJI pathogens, including MRSA and most Enterobacterales. However, real-world susceptibility data and implications for oral therapy are limited.   Methods

We conducted a descriptive analysis of data from adult patients enrolled to date in an open-label, randomized controlled trial of comparing omadacycline-containing antibiotic regimen vs. standard of care (SOC) antibiotics for BJIs. Omadaycline susceptibility was assessed on available …

686. Antibiotic Prescribing For Urinary Tract Infections In Outpatient Settings: A Multicenter Assessment Based On The Five Ds Of Stewardship, Amy Y. Kang, Oliver Tan, Sunwoo Oh, Nikki Derleth, Megan Shieh, Helen Vu, Inna Tagarino, Audrey Harrington, Deborah Kupferwasser, Loren G. Miller

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background   Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading cause of outpatient antibiotic use. Prior studies have documented inappropriate prescribing during outpatient UTI visits, but few have assessed intervention opportunities using a structured stewardship framework. We evaluated UTI prescribing practices in a healthcare system using the Five Ds framework: Diagnosis, Drug, Dose, Duration, and De-escalation.   Methods

We conducted a retrospective study across 4 medical centers and > 20 outpatient clinics within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the second largest U.S. safety net healthcare system. To ensure adequate representation across sites while maintaining feasibility for manual chart review, we reviewed …

Grover's Disease: A Review Of The Current Treatment Options, Dustin Ross, Dmsc, Mph, Pa-C

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Grover’s disease, also known as transient acantholytic dermatosis, is an uncommon dermatologic condition characterized by pruritic papulovesicular eruptions that predominantly affect the trunk of older adults. Although the disease is often self-limited, it may significantly impair quality of life. This review summarizes treatment options and emerging therapies for Grover’s disease reported in the literature since 2019. A comprehensive search of PubMed and MEDLINE identified 1,068 records, of which thirteen publications met inclusion criteria, including one systematic review, one narrative review, one nonrandomized controlled study, nine case reports, and one fact sheet, representing a total of 337 patients. The literature demonstrates …

Physician Assistants And The Medical Science Liaison Role: Expanding Career Pathways Beyond Clinical Practice, Michael Filsinger

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to examine how physician assistants can transition into Medical Science Liaison roles within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Growing interest in nonclinical career pathways has prompted more physician assistants to explore opportunities in medical affairs, yet many remain uncertain about the qualifications, expectations, and academic preparation associated with these positions. A focused literature review was conducted to evaluate the competencies required for Medical Science Liaison roles, the barriers clinician applicants often encounter, and the strategies that may support successful transition into industry-based careers. Findings show that physician assistants possess relevant strengths such as …

Evaluation Of Peptides And Peptide–Doxorubicin Conjugates Designed And Synthesized For Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Via Cell-Surface Receptors, Shih-Jing (Jane) Yao

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

A significant problem faced in oncology is the lack of chemotherapeutic agents that are tumor site-specific, resulting in reduced therapeutic efficacy and unintended infliction of harm to surrounding healthy tissues and cells that often lead to serious side effects. Current strategies being explored to circumvent this issue aim to refine delivery of  chemotherapeutic agents specifically to tumor sites, which may be achieved via conjugation of these agents to biomarker-specific ligands. This forms the foundation of ligand-targeted drug delivery. Among different breast cancers, treatment of the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype has been particularly challenging, largely due to the absence of …

The Effects Of Antidepressant Medications On Sleep Quality In Dominican University Of California Students, Natalie L. Davis, Kenna Wohlford, Stephanie Lee

Physician Assistant Studies | Graduate Research Papers

We spend approximately one third of our life time sleeping or attempting to sleep. The quality of our sleep is equally, if not more important than the amount of sleep we get. This study assesses the effects that medications, specifically antidepressants, can have on sleep quality in Dominican University of California students. 118 participants completed a Qualtrics survey including questions regarding stress, sleep quality, medication lists, and demographics. This study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to quantify participants’ sleep quality as the outcome. Participant stress levels were assessed with a Likert scale question asking for stress levels on …

Proteome-Based Identification And Validation Of Nxpe3 In Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Najia Tabassum, Yamna Khurshid, Basir Syed, Aftab Ahmad, Sadia Muhammad, Rehan Imad, Talat Mirza

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) tends to metastasize to central nervous system. Treatment with antileukemic agents against CNS leukaemia is an essential component for cure in ALL. Hence, it is essential to identify biomarkers for CNS infiltration. Proteomics, supported by mass spectrometry, is the platform for exploring biomarkers in various biological samples, contributing to translational research. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the plasma proteome profile of children across different risk groups of cALL. Neurexophilin and PC-esterase family, member 3 (NXPE3), was validated. The protein-protein interactions (PPI) of NXPE3 were evaluated with bioinformatics analyses. Methods: Plasma …

Dupilumab For The Treatment Of Prurigo Nodularis, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Noelle Desir, Simona A. Alomary, Nicole Baker

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic, intensely pruritic dermatosis driven by neural and immune dysregulation, with historically limited FDA-approved treatment options. In September 2022, dupilumab became the first FDA-approved therapy for PN. To review the clinical efficacy of dupilumab in PN, with emphasis on pivotal clinical trials, real-world evidence, and safety profile. We examined mechanistic studies of dupilumab, early case reports and series, phase 3 LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2 randomized trials, real world observational studies, and safety data. Dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4Rα, suppresses type 2 inflammation. In PRIME (n = 151) and PRIME2 (n = 160), dupilumab …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk

Theses and Dissertations

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance quality …

Implementing A Standardized App-Led Multidisciplinary Medication Review And Reconciliation To Improve Medication Safety Before Systemic Cancer Therapy: An Ambulatory Oncology Quality Improvement Initiative, Sarah R. Hines

DNP Projects

Background

Adult patients initiating systemic cancer therapy frequently present with pre-existing polypharmacy related to chronic comorbidities and cancer-related symptom management. The addition of anticancer therapies and supportive care medications further increases medication burden and the risk of medication-related harm. Although national organizations and institutional policies recommend comprehensive medication review before treatment initiation, implementation remains inconsistent in ambulatory oncology practice.

Purpose

To implement and evaluate a standardized Advanced Practice Provider (APP)-led multidisciplinary medication review and reconciliation process designed to identify medication medication-related safety risks before initiation of systemic cancer therapy in adult oncology patients receiving care in an ambulatory infusion center. …