Maternal/fetal genetic constitution and environmental factors are vital to delivery of a healthy baby. In the United States (US), a low birth weight (LBW) baby is born every minute and a half. LBW, defined as weighing less than 5.5 lbs at birth, affects nearly 1 in 12 infants born in the US with resultant costs for the nation of more than 15 billion dollars annually. Infant birth weight is the single most important factor affecting neonatal mortality. Various environmental and genetic risk factors for LBW have been identified. Several risks are preventable, such as cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Over one million babies are exposed prenatally to cigarette smoke accounting for over 20% of the LBW incidence in the US. Cigarette smoke exposure in utero results in a variety of adverse developmental outcomes with intrauterine growth restriction and infant LBW being the most well documented. However, the mechanisms underlying the causes of LBW remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was: (1) to establish an animal model of cigarette smoke-induced in utero growth retardation and LBW using physiologically relevant inhalation exposure conditions which simulate "active" and "passive" tobacco smoke exposures, and (2) to determine whether particular stages of development are more susceptible than others to the adverse effects of in utero smoke exposure on embryo/fetal growth. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed to cigarette smoke during three periods of gestation: pre-/peri-implantation (gestational days [gds] 1−5), postimplantation (gds 6−18), and throughout gestation (gds 1−17). Reproductive and fetal outcomes were assessed on gd 18.5. Exposure of dams to mainstream/sidestream cigarette smoke, simulating "active" maternal smoking, resulted in decreases in fetal weight and crown-rump length when exposed throughout gestation (gds 1−17). Similar results were seen when dams were exposed only during the first 5 days of gestation (pre-/peri-implantation period gds 1−5). Exposure of dams from the post-implantation period through gestation (gds 6−18) did not result in reduced fetal weight, although a significant reduction in crown-rump length remained evident. Interestingly, maternal sidestream smoke exposure, simulating exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), during the pre-/peri-implantation period of development also produced significant decreases in fetal weight and crown-rump length. Collectively, results from the present study confirm an association between prenatal exposure to either "active" or "passive" cigarette smoke and in utero growth retardation. Publisher's Disclaimer: This article was published in an Elsevier journal. The attached copy is furnished to the author for non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the author's institution, sharing with colleagues and providing to institution administration. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohi...

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an innovative team-taught elective course on second-year (P2) students' knowledge and skills relating to the relationship between aromatherapy and pharmacy.Design. An Aromatherapy Science elective course was offered to P2 students in an accelerated doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree program and was designed to provide an elective course experience while focusing on active-learning skills such as group work, student-led presentations, and in-class activities. Lectures were designed to reinforce core curricular threads from the basic sciences within the pharmaceutical sciences department while highlighting key aromatherapy principles. Assessment. Course evaluations, grades, and student self-assessments were used to evaluate student fulfillment and knowledge gained. Students agreed this hands-on course integrated pharmaceutical science experiences, enriched their pharmacy education, and provided knowledge to enhance their confidence in describing essential oil uses, drug interactions, and key aromatherapy clinical implications. Conclusion. Students agreed this course prepared them to identify essential oil therapeutic uses and potential essential oil-drug interactions, and interpret literature. The introduction of aromatherapy principles to pharmacy students will prepare a new generation of healthcare professionals on the role of alternative medicines.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposures have been linked to adverse health effects. Folate is essential for normal development, with deficiencies often causing fetal growth restriction. Mice lacking the folate binding protein-2 receptor (Folr2) exhibit increased susceptibility to teratogens. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the loss of Folr2 would increase sensitivity to cigarette smoke-induced effects on development. Pregnant Folr2 −/− , Folr2 +/+ , and C57BL/6J mice were exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke during gestation. Exposure to sidestream smoke on gd 6-9 had no adverse effects on fetal outcomes. However, cigarette smoke exposure on gd 6-18 increased the number of fetal resorptions (Folr2 −/− cohort) and decreased crown-rump length (Folr2 +/+ fetuses). These data confirm an association between sidestream smoke exposure and fetal growth restriction, but do not suggest that loss of Folr2 increased susceptibility to these effects.

Objective. To describe an intersession remediation process in an accelerated three-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and to determine if the remediation process reduced attrition rates, including program withdrawals, progression to advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs), and on-time graduation rates. Methods. Attrition was defined as dismissal, withdrawal, leave of absence, and/or change in graduation date. Progression data from students who matriculated between 2008 to 2016, with data available through spring 2017, were analyzed for number of course failures and successful intersession remediation. Other factors such as pharmacy year (first or second year), course subject, and course repeats were evaluated to characterize successful remediation attempts and identify elements that foster student success. Results. Of the 812 matriculated students across the time period analyzed, 18% (n5146) failed at least one didactic course (defined as course average ,69.5%). Overall, 74.7% (n5109) of the students who failed a course remediated, with 75.2% (n582) of those able to remediate being successful, remaining on-time for graduation. If students who remediated were instead required to repeat coursework, the college attrition rate would have averaged over 10 percentage points higher for the time period analyzed than the actual rate of 13.4%. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that the majority of students who qualified for remediation were successful and graduated on time. Further studies in this area are needed to fully elucidate the effect of remediation processes on learning and retention of knowledge and skills.

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