A journal (through French from late Latin diurnalis, daily) has several related meanings:

• a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary.
• a newspaper or other periodical, in the literal sense of one published each day;
• however, some publications issued at stated intervals, such as a magazine or the record of the transactions of society such as a scientific journal or academic journals in general, are called a journal. Journal, then, is sometimes used as a synonym for "magazine".

The word "journalist" for one whose business is writing for the public press has been in use since the end of the 17th century.

"Journal" is also applied to the record, day by day, of the business and proceedings of a public body:

• The journals of the British Houses of Parliament contain an official record of the business transacted day by day in either house. The record does not take note of speeches, though some of the earlier volumes contain references to them. The journals are a lengthened account written from the "Votes and Proceedings" (in the House of Lords called "Minutes of Proceedings"), made day by day by the Clerks at the Table, and printed on the responsibility of the Clerk of the House. In the Commons the Votes and Proceedings, but not the Journal, bear the Speaker's signature in fulfilment of a former order that he should "peruse" them before publication. The journals of the British House of Commons begin in the first year of the reign of Edward VI in 1547, and are complete, except for a short interval under Elizabeth I. Those of the House of Lords date from the first year of Henry VIII in 1509. Before that date the proceedings in parliament were entered in the rolls of parliament, which extend from 1278 to 1503. The journals of the Lords are "records" in the judicial sense, those of the Commons are not (see Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 1906, pp. 201-202).
• Section 5 of Article I of the United States Constitution requires the Congress of the United States to keep a journal of its proceedings. This journal, the Congressional Record is published by the Government Printing Office.

Journals of this sort are also often referred to as minutes.

More on [ Journal ]

Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry News From Medical News Today

WHO, Wyeth Launch Trial In Africa To Test New River Blindness Drug
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700
The WHO on Wednesday announced plans for a clinical trial to test a new drug that "could halve the treatment period for river blindness [or onchocerciasis], a disease that threatens 100 million people mostly in Africa," AFP/Dow Jones Newswires/CNN Money reports (7/1).
FDA Approves Multaq(R) For Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Or Atrial Flutter
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 -0700
Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Multaq(R) (dronedarone) 400 mg Tablets. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) soon will have a new treatment option to help improve current management of their disease. Multaq(R) is the first drug approved in the United States that has shown a clinical benefit to reduce cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with AF/AFL.
Spanish Government Selects Novavax's VLP Technology For Comprehensive Flu Vaccine Solution In Spain
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 -0700
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) announced its initial agreement to license its proprietary, recombinant virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccine technology to ROVI Pharmaceuticals (Madrid: ROVI) of Spain.
Current Status Of The Development Programs Of New Indications And Formulations For Aricept(R) For Enhancing Patient Value
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 -0700
Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") and Eisai Corporation of North America (Headquarters: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Chairman and CEO Hajime Shimizu) are currently focusing on three clinical development programs for the company's major product Aricept(R) (donepezil hydrochloride tablets) to further contribute to patients with Alzheimer's disease. As progress in those programs has been made, Eisai announces the status as follows: 1.
Lixte Biotechnology Holdings' Lead Compound, LB-1.2, Enhances The Effectiveness Of Standard Cancer Chemotherapy In Animal Models
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -0700
Lixte Biotechnology Holdings (OTC Bulletin Board: LIXT) announced that investigators of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health and Lixte reported that its novel compound, LB-1.2, enhances the effectiveness of two standard chemotherapy drugs in mouse models of human cancers. This research is being conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between NINDS and Lixte.
Acura And King Receive FDA Complete Response Letter Regarding Acurox(R)
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -0700
Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACUR) and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Acurox (oxycodone HC1, USP and niacin, USP) Tablets CII, an immediate release product intended for the relief of moderate-to-severe pain. The Complete Response Letter raises issues regarding the potential abuse deterrent benefits of Acurox(R).

Annals of Pharmacotherapy PAP Articles

Prevalence of Sodium Bicarbonate-Induced Alkalemia in Cardiopulmonary Arrest Patients(July/August)
Geraci, M. J, Klipa, D., Heckman, M. G, Persoff, J. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
BACKGROUND: Intravenous sodium bicarbonate (SB) administration during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is intended to counteract lactic acidosis due to hypoxia, poor perfusion, and anaerobic metabolism. Despite a lack of documented efficacy and a level III recommendation from the American Heart Association, SB is widely used during resuscitation events. SB has both theoretical and measurable adverse effects. Excess or poorly timed administration during a CPA may elevate a patient's pH, inducing alkalemia. Despite decades of controversy surrounding use of this drug, the prevalence of SB-induced alkalemia has not been previously documented. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of SB-induced alkalemia in inpatients after CPA and to investigate the pattern of SB administration. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed with attention to SB administration and arterial blood gas (ABG) data. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria to 264 CPA patients, the study group comprised 88 patients. When measured, if PCO2 and pH were above normal limits after SB administration, we concluded that SB contributed to the alkalemia. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (31%) patients received SB without any ABG data, and 70 (79%) patients received at least one empiric SB dose. Of the 61 patients with ABG data, alkalemia occurred in 10, a prevalence of 16%. Administration of SB increased pH in only 9 (15%) other CPA patients and had no effect in the 42 (69%) remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of SB during CPA was causally linked with inducing alkalemia in 16% of patients. Early collection of ABG samples may assist in optimizing pH during CPA and thus reduce unwarranted empiric use of SB.
Use of {beta}-Blockers in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator(July/August)
Allen LaPointe, N. M, Stafford, J. A, Pappas, P. A, Al-Khatib, S. M, Anstrom, K. J Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are indicated for both primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. β-Blockers are also indicated in most patients who have an indication for an ICD; however, their use in this population is not well described. Some clinicians may be unaware of the recommendation for β-Blockers in this population. OBJECTIVE: To explore β-blocker use among ICD recipients. METHODS: Adults who received their first ICD at Duke Hospital between July 1999 and July 2004 for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest were identified. Using hospital data, β-blocker use was determined at time of discharge, and characteristics of users were compared with those of nonusers. Continued use of β-blockers after ICD implant was explored in the subset of patients included in the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Disease (DDCD). RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 804 patients, 652 (81%) with ICD for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest and 152 (19%) for primary prevention. The median age was 65 years and 75% of the patients were men. A total of 544 (68%) received a β-blocker at time of ICD implant. There were no substantial changes in the proportion of patients with β-blocker use from 1999 through 2004, overall or within the primary or secondary prevention groups. However, β-blocker use was higher in the secondary prevention group than in the primary prevention group (69% vs 60%; p = 0.02). A higher proportion of β-blocker users versus nonusers had ischemic heart disease (82% vs 68%; p < 0.0001), heart failure (84% vs 71%; p < 0.0001), previous myocardial infraction (51% vs 44%; p = 0.05), and ventricular arrhythmias (82% vs 76%; p = 0.04). Of the 425 patients included in the DDCD, only 241 (57%) were receiving β-blockers at time of implant and during clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Lower than optimal use of β-blockers suggests the need for new methods of including evidence-based medications in clinical practice, especially for complex patients for whom numerous clinical practice guidelines may apply.
Sertraline-Induced Rhabdomyolysis in an Elderly Patient with Dementia and Comorbidities (July/August)
Gareri, P., Segura-Garcia, C., De Fazio, P., De Fazio, S., De Sarro, G. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of sertraline-induced rhabdomyolysis in an elderly patient with dementia and comorbidities. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old woman visited a psychiatrist in September 2007 for her depressed mood. Her medical history included vascular dementia accompanied by depression, arterial hypertension, and heart failure, as well as cardiac pacemaker implantation several years earlier for severe bradyarrythmia. She had begun taking amisulpride 50 mg/day and diazepam 2 mg at bedtime 6 months prior to the psychiatrist appointment, with poor relief of her depressed mood. Her drug therapy also included nicergoline 30 mg/day, amlodipine 5 mg/day, aspirin 100 mg/day, candesartan 16 mg/day, and atenolol 25 mg/day. At this psychiatrist visit, sertraline 50 mg/day was added for her depression, and was continued after a geriatrician visit in October. Her mood improved significantly. On December 18, 2007, she was admitted to the cardiology unit to undergo a pacemaker replacement. Laboratory tests revealed creatine kinase (CK) 7952 IU/L, lactate dehydrogenase 1021 IU/L, myoglobin 2322 U/L, and aspartate aminotransferase 362 IU/L, resulting in a diagnosis of iatrogenic rhabdomyolysis. Amisulpride and sertraline were discontinued. On December 24, serum CK was 839 IU/L and myoglobin was 91 U/L and the patient was discharged. On January 22, laboratory tests showed normal values of CK, CK-MB, and myoglobin. Sertraline 50 mg/day was again prescribed for the patient's persistent depressed mood. Fifteen days later, blood tests showed CK 1327 IU/L and myoglobin 324 U/L; therefore, the drug was discontinued. CK and myoglobin levels normalized a week later. On April 2, escitalopram was started. At time of writing, there was no evidence of any increase in CK, myoglobin, or other markers of rhabdomyolysis. DISCUSSION: The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between sertraline treatment and the onset of rhabdomyolysis. No relationship between amisulpride and rhabdomyolysis was found. Furthermore, rechallenge with sertraline caused CK and myoglobin to again increase, which was reversed following a discontinuation of sertraline. The patient's other comorbidities and medications have not been suggested as possible interactions with sertraline that can cause rhabdomyolysis. Genetic defects of sertraline demethylation and/or P-glycoprotein binding or concurrent circumstances may explain the onset of rhabdomyolysis in this particular patient. CONCLUSIONS: This patient's rhabdomyolysis was probably induced by sertraline therapy.
Impact of Nicotine Replacement Therapy on Postoperative Mortality Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery(July/August)
Paciullo, C. A, Short, M. R, Steinke, D. T, Jennings, H. R Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
BACKGROUND: Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has recently been associated with increased mortality in patients in medical intensive care units (ICUs). Although NRT is frequently used in cardiothoracic surgery patients, no safety data exist for use in this population. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the impact of NRT on in-hospital mortality following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective matched cohort pilot study in a 22-bed cardiothoracic surgery ICU. Patients prescribed transdermal NRT after CABG were randomly selected and matched to current smokers not prescribed NRT according to Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (N = 134). Data on comorbid conditions and pack-year history were also obtained. To compare these patients with nonsmoking patients, a larger unmatched population was also evaluated. The total number of patients prescribed NRT, current smokers not prescribed NRT, and nonsmokers who were evaluated in our study was 2057. RESULTS: Sixty-seven NRT patients were well matched with 67 current smokers in terms of baseline demographics and procedures. Mortality was nonsignificantly higher in the NRT group versus the non-NRT smoker group (4.5% vs 0.0%; p = 0.080). In an evaluation of a larger population controlled for differences in baseline characteristics, an increase in mortality due to NRT was found (OR 6.06; 95% CI 1.65 to 22.21). In an a priori subgroup of the overall population, mortality was significantly higher in patients receiving NRT after off-pump CABG versus smokers not receiving NRT (OR 6.49; 95% CI 1.29 to 32.56). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NRT in a postoperative CABG surgery population resulted in a significant increase in mortality when adjusted for baseline characteristics. Patients receiving NRT after off-pump cardiac surgery may be particularly susceptible. Additional evaluation in large patient cohorts with prospective controls is warranted.
Pediatric Medication Education Text, 5th edition (July/August)
Christensen, M. L Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000

Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Principles to Practice (July/August)
Susla, G. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000


Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics

In This Issue
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
In This Issue Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 1 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.96
Biomarkers: Principles, Policies, and Practice
JA Wagner Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Biomarkers: Principles, Policies, and Practice Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 3 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.77 Author: JA Wagner
Highlights
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Highlights Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 8 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.91 Author:
ASCPT News
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
ASCPT News Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 10 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.84
Chutes and Ladders on the Critical Path:Comparative Effectiveness, Product Value, and the Use of Biomarkers in Drug Development
J Woodcock Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Chutes and Ladders on the Critical Path:Comparative Effectiveness, Product Value, and the Use of Biomarkers in Drug Development Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 12 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.33 Author: J Woodcock
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Failure Is Not an Option
RB Altman Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Failure Is Not an Option Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 86, 15 (July 2009). doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.63 Author: RB Altman

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