The metabolic profiles of Sprague-Dawley rat pancreases were investigated by high-resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H NMR) combined with principal components analysis (PCA) to discriminate pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis. Intact pancreatic tissue samples were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats with histologically proven pancreatic cancer (n = 5), chronic pancreatitis (n = 5), and two matched controls (n = 5 per group). Two 1 H NMR experiments, single-pulse and CarrPurcell-Meiboom-Gill, were carried out separately. Increases in phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine levels and decreases in leucine, isoleucine, valine, lactate and alanine levels were observed in chronic pancreatitis, whereas the opposite trends were observed in pancreatic cancer. Increasing taurine and decreasing betaine were found both in chronic pancreatitis and in pancreatic cancer. Additionally, the lipid content in pancreatic cancer was higher than that in chronic pancreatitis. PCA was carried out for the single-pulse and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill

Objectives: To investigate the acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among men who have sex with men (MSM) and its associated factors.Methods: We searched studies written in English in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science with no geographical or time restrictions. We evaluated the quality of the included literature. We calculated the pooled acceptability and performed meta-analysis of selected studies, including factors associated with the acceptability among MSM, using Review Manager (v5.3).Results: The acceptability among the 15 studies (n = 8,658) was 50% (95% CI: 0.27–0.72). The meta-analysis of seven articles (n = 4,200) indicated that having a college or higher degree (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.35–1.95), disclosure of sexual orientation to healthcare professionals (HCPs; OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.47–3.86), vaccination with at least one dose for hepatitis A or B (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.42–3.10), awareness of HPV (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.21–2.83), knowledge of HPV (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.39), perceived susceptibility to HPV infection (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.50), and perceived severity of HPV-related disease (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.28–0.51) can promote acceptance of HPV vaccines. Meanwhile, people who have had unprotected anal sex or have more sex partners tend to have low acceptance of HPV vaccines.Conclusions: HPV education should be actively promoted according to the factors that influence the acceptability of HPV vaccines among the MSM population. HPV education should be especially aimed at people with low academic qualifications and people with risky sexual behaviors, and should emphasize the aspects of susceptibility to and severity of HPV-related disease. More intervention trials should be conducted to increase the credibility of the results.

Objectives: (1)To compare Part D plan switching for users and nonusers of a pharmacy-led Medicare Part D consultation service and (2) to evaluate the effect of service use on chronic medication adherence. Methods: This was a longitudinal study, occurring in one independently owned community pharmacy in Iowa. Medicare Part D beneficiaries who used the service were compared to nonusers. Dispensing data were used to compare planswitching and the effect of service use on chronic medication adherence between service users and nonusers. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used to evaluate medication adherence. Results: In the 2017 and 2018 plan year, 79 and 138 Medicare beneficiaries used the service, respectively. These individuals were compared to 849 Medicare beneficiaries and a random sample of 101 beneficiaries in respective years. The respective switching rates for service users in 2018 and 2019 plan year were 43% and 15.9%, compared to 4% switching rates in both years for nonusers. Using the Medicare Part D consultation yielded a statistically significant positive effect on switching in both plan years ( P values < .05) and a statistically significant positive effect on PDC between years ( P value <.05). Conclusion: The use of a pharmacist-led Medicare Part D consultation resulted in increased plan switching and improved chronic medication adherence.

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Background: There are many Medicare Part D plans, making it difficult for patients to choose the optimal plan. The decision to remain on current Medicare plans is reinforced by patient inertia and uncertainty associated with plan-switching decisions. By helping patients identify more cost-effective plans, pharmacists and pharmacy personnel have the ability to inform plan-switching decisions resulting in lower out-of-pocket (OOP) costs. Objectives: This study evaluates 1) patient experience with a pharmacy Medicare Part D consultation service and 2) potential out-of-pocket savings based on a patient’s best plan for 2019 compared to continuation of a patient’s 2018 Medicare Part D plan.  Methods: This study was a retrospective descriptive analysis and took place at a single, independently owned community pharmacy. Patients received free individual consultations with a pharmacist that included a medication review and information on all available Part D plans. Patients were selected to receive the service using pharmacy software to identify potential inefficiencies in current Part D plans. Data on satisfaction and perceived pharmacist role in providing Medicare Part D information were collected via an in-person survey administered at the pharmacy. Potential out-of-pocket cost savings were determined using cost information provided for patient specific medication regimens entered into Medicare.gov, the online platform for Medicare Part D plan information. Results: Of the 318 patients identified, 79 used the consultation service. Out of 79 patients who used the service in fall of 2017, 44 completed the survey for a response rate of 56%. Patients generally reported good experiences with the service. Open-ended responses revealed patients utilize a variety of helpers for plan information and decisions. A subset of 14 patients were identified as having clear plan-switching decisions and were included in the cost-savings analysis. Conclusions: Patients using a free Medicare Part D plan consultation were satisfied with the service, suggesting that helpers were an important resource n their plan-selection process. Using the pharmacist-led Part D consultation may result in decreases in out-of-pocket cost savings due to identification of optimal Medicare Part D plans.   Article Type: Note

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