Search

We have grown superconducting films on the technologically important sapphire substrates by CO2 pulsed laser ablation from fully superconducting targets of Bi2Sr3-xCaxCu2Oy followed by appropriate post-annealing. The composition of the films was found to deviate slightly from the target. Nevertheless, films with metallic resistivity decreasing between room temperature and 95 K, Tc(onset) of about 90 K and Tc(zero) of 72 K have been obtained. Magnetoresistance measurements in fields up to 12.85 T give a value of dHc2/dT of 1.6 T/K, which is intermediate between reported values of parallel and perpendicular Hc2 of fully aligned thin films. The implied partial orientation is consistent with the morphology seen by scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenteral nutrition formulations containing lipid emulsion in one container with all other components are known as total nutrient admixtures. These formulations require maintenance of solution solubility and stability as well as emulsion stability. Phenomena associated with emulsion destabilization are reviewed. The multiple factors that destabilize total nutrient admixture formulations are discussed, along with potential nursing implications.

Objective: To report itraconazole serum concentrations following administration of itraconazole suspension via orogastric feeding tubes to 2 critically ill allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients., Case Summaries: A 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, each allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients, were treated with oral itraconazole for documented fungal infections. Intubation and mechanical ventilation impeded ingestion of itraconazole capsules. Itraconazole was prepared initially as a suspension in intravenous lipid emulsion 20% and later as a suspension in citric acid 1.5% in D5W USP. Itraconazole serum concentrations were assayed using HPLC. Predose itraconazole serum concentrations were undetectable to 72 ng/mL. Postdose itraconazole serum concentrations were 5-97 ng/mL. Itraconazole concentrations measured in these patients were markedly lower than serum concentrations reported in the literature for similar doses administered to fed subjects., Discussion: Efficacy of this antifungal agent is limited currently by the patient's ability to ingest and absorb the itraconazole capsules. Pathophysiologic factors and suspension formulation issues that likely contributed to decreased itraconazole absorption are discussed., Conclusions: Preparation and administration of itraconazole as a suspension did not enhance drug absorption in these patients. Furthermore, efficacy of itraconazole suspension may be affected by physical compatibility and chemical stability of the extemporaneous preparations.

This prospective, nonrandomized study was conducted to compare the increases in albumin and prealbumin concentrations in postoperative patients given adequate nutrition support. All surgery patients at least 18 years of age and who required parenteral nutrition were included. Of 86 patients evaluated, 16 met all criteria for study entry. Blood for albumin concentrations was drawn within 48 hours of beginning parenteral nutrition and then weekly. Blood for prealbumin concentrations was drawn within 48 hours of beginning parenteral nutrition and then twice weekly. Albumin concentrations increased from 2.00 +/- 0.35 to 2.21 +/- 0.42 g/dl (NS). Prealbumin concentrations increased from 11.97 +/- 6.31 to 17.29 +/- 8.93 mg/dl (p = 0.017). All but one prealbumin concentration was in the normal range for our laboratory when parenteral nutrition was discontinued. None of the albumin concentrations were ever in the normal range. The prealbumin concentration is a better indicator than albumin of nutrition status in the postoperative patient. Since prealbumin concentrations typically rise into the normal range within a week after adequate caloric supplementation, clinicians may avoid unnecessary increases in protein-calorie intake and laboratory testing of nutrition status by using this measurement.

I describe the role of the clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) in the nutrition management of bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. An example is used to demonstrate the complex nature of nutritional support in BMT patients and the ability of the CPS to provide expertise in the fluid and electrolyte aspect of nutrition management. This example also illustrates the multitude of factors considered by the CPS before changes in parenteral-nutrition therapy are recommended to BMT physicians. The role of the CPS in nutrition assessment, parenteral-formula design, consultation on compatibility and stability issues, formula alteration to meet changing nutrition requirements, and home nutrition management is outlined.