As smoking significantly inhibits the effectiveness of TB treatment, the integration of smoking cessation into TB treatment programs is strongly advocated to reduce the dual global burden of smoking and TB.

Results of this study suggested that an RA diagnosis and treatment are associated with urbanization.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an asthma continuing education program on pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes related to asthma pharmaceutical care. Subjects and Methods: A 20-hour continuing education program was conducted by the joint efforts of the Taipei City Government, Taiwan Association of Asthma Education and Taipei Medical University Wan Fang Hospital, in a series of 4 days afternoon sessions from June 26 to July 4, 2004. One hundred and twenty-five pharmacists participated. The Asthma Knowledge Test in Mandarin and the Asthma Attitude Scale in Mandarin were developed by adapting the scale used to evaluate the impact of pharmacist continuing education programs on diabetic care. The results before and after the intervention were compared to evaluate the impact of the program. Results: Of the 125 participants, 105 returned both the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, for a response rate of 84.0%. The total score of the attitude section increased significantly from 40.04 ± 3.35 to 42.54 ± 2.98 (full score = 50, p < 0.001). The total score of the knowledge section also increased significantly from 7.18 ± 1.31 to 7.56 ± 1.15 (p = 0.008). Improvement in the attitude score was found in 70 (67.0%) subjects, and in the knowledge score in 45 (43.5%) subjects. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that attitude and knowledge toward asthma care improved after the continuing education program. Further study of long-term impact and direct changes in asthma pharmaceutical care practice will be necessary.

The study data suggest that vancomycin is associated with a higher likelihood of nephrotoxicity using the RIFLE classification.

Lower than recommended serum CS concentrations and delayed absorption were common. It is essential to develop practical TDM to maintain proper serum drug concentrations.

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Clear cell fibrous papule (FP) is a rare variant of FP. We report a 39-year-old female patient who presented with a dome-shaped papule on the nose. The diagnosis of clear cell FP was made based on histological and immunohistochemical studies. Interestingly, scattered S-100 cells were admixed within the lesion, a finding hitherto not reported. The S-100 positivity may be misleading and should be cautiously interpreted.