A New Consultation Service for Community Pharmacies? An Investigation of Pharmacists\u27 Perspective on Implementing a Weight Management Program

Pharmacists are capable and interested in providing a targeted weight management intervention addressing the high rates, and associated risk, of obesity. A series of in-depth phone interviews with Mississippi community pharmacists were used to gain their perspective on a systematic approach for delivering a weight and obesity management service to patients. Using qualitative content analysis, three themes were identified and analyzed. These themes included: pharmacist’s perceptions of patient’s needs, program structural components, and pharmacist’s implementational needs. These findings can be used to expand the role of pharmacists, serve as a model for the development of other consultation services, improve health outcomes for patients with obesity, and save the healthcare system money. This investigation of pharmacists’ perspectives on the development of a weight management service could be used to design a program to minimize implementation barriers and become sustainable for the long term

A New Consultation Service for Community Pharmacies? An Investigation of Pharmacists' Perspective on Implementing a Weight Management Program

Pharmacists are capable and interested in providing a targeted weight management intervention addressing the high rates, and associated risk, of obesity. A series of in-depth phone interviews with Mississippi community pharmacists were used to gain their perspective on a systematic approach for delivering a weight and obesity management service to patients. Using qualitative content analysis, three themes were identified and analyzed. These themes included: pharmacist’s perceptions of patient’s needs, program structural components, and pharmacist’s implementational needs. These findings can be used to expand the role of pharmacists, serve as a model for the development of other consultation services, improve health outcomes for patients with obesity, and save the healthcare system money. This investigation of pharmacists’ perspectives on the development of a weight management service could be used to design a program to minimize implementation barriers and become sustainable for the long term

Citrulline Malate fails to improve German volume training performance in healthy young men and women

Background: Citrulline malate (CM) is purported to buffer lactic acid, enhance oxygen delivery, and attenuate muscle soreness. Anaerobic exercise trials with CM have produced conflicting results. Objective: The aim of the current investigation was to test the efficacy of CM on resistance training (RT) with the hypothesis that CM would improve performance. Design: A double-blind, counter-balanced, randomised control trial was utilised to assess the effects of CM on RT. 19 subjects (8 female) (25.7 ± 7.7 years), regularly engaged in RT consumed either 8 g of CM (1.1 : 1 ratio) or a placebo (6 g citric acid). Subjects attempted to perform a German Volume Training (GVT) protocol comprising 10 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell curls at 80 % of their one repetition maximum. Results: Repeated ANOVA suggested no effect of CM on RT performance (treatment × time × order p = 0.217). There was no difference (p = 0.320) in the total number of reps over the ten sets (CM median = 57, IQR 45 to 73; placebo median = 61, IQR 51 to 69). Blood lactate and creatine kinase did not differ between CM and placebo (p > 0.05). Finally, total muscle soreness was reduced significantly in CM compared to placebo (treatment × time × order p = 0.004). Conclusions: These results require corroboration; an ergogenic benefit is yet to be established and weight trainers should exercise caution when assessing the efficacy of CM. Future research should focus on the potential effects of loading doses of CM

The influence of a pre-exercise sports drink (PRX) on factors related to maximal aerobic performance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pre-exercise sports drinks (PRX) are commonly used as ergogenic aids in athletic competitions requiring aerobic power. However, in most cases, claims regarding their effectiveness have not been substantiated. In addition, the ingredients in PRX products must be deemed acceptable by the athletic governing bodies that regulate their use in training and competition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a modified PRX formulation (known as EM·PACT™) from earlier investigations on factors related to maximal aerobic performance during a graded exercise test. The modification consisted of removing creatine to meet the compliance standards set forth by various athletic organizations that regulate the use of nutritional supplements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-nine male and female college students varying in levels of aerobic fitness participated in a randomized crossover administration of PRX (containing 14 g/serving of fructose, medium-chain triglycerides, and amino acids mixed with 8 oz. of water) and placebo (PL) 30 minutes prior to performing a treadmill test with approximately one week separation between the trials. VO₂max, maximal heart rate (HR), time to exhaustion (Time), and percentage estimated non-protein fat substrate utilization (FA) during two <it>a priori </it>submaximal stages of a graded exercise testing were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The VO₂max mean value of the PRX trial was significantly greater than the PL trial (P < 0.01). The mean value for Time was also observed to be greater for the PRX trial compared to PL (P < 0.05). Additionally, percentage of FA during submaximal stages of the exercise test was greater for PRX trial in comparison to PL (P < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The modified PRX formulation utilized in this investigation supports the findings of the previous investigation and its efficacy for enhancing indices of aerobic performance (specifically VO₂max, Time, & FA) during graded exercise testing.</p

Correlation of Rheological Properties to Durability and

Premature deterioration of concrete structures has created an awareness and concern about the durability of concrete. Concrete mixtures used in the construction of residential basement walls and foundations have a high w/c ratio (w/c &gt; 0.6) and low cement content (&lt;280 kg/m ). The result is friable concrete with highly porous surface layer and high potential for cracking. The defects have a direct impact on the durability of concrete