Gene Copy Number as a Marker of Response to Standard Therapy Drugs According to ERα Status in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: The therapeutic decision for the management of breast cancer (BC) patients is based on the evaluation of prognostic factors alongside clinical and pathological parameters. Despite the use of standard biomarkers, response and resistance to therapy represent a challenge for clinicians. Among the new potential biomarkers for BC the gene have gained importance in recent years.

Ethnic differences in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and response to treatment in CKD.

Aim: Nutritional vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). No studies have specifically examined the differences between ethnic groups in response to ergocalciferol ("D2") therapy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of D2 therapy as recommended by the KDOQI guidelines in 184 Hispanic and Caucasian nondialysis CKD patients.

Implementation of a diabetes self-management education program in primary care for adults using shared medical appointments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to implement diabetes self-management education in primary care using the Chronic Care Model and shared medical appointments (SMA) to provide evidence-based interventions to improve process and measure outcomes.

Methods: A quality improvement project using the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle was implemented in a primary care setting in South Texas to provide diabetes self-management education for adults. Biological measures were evaluated in 70 patients at initiation of the project and thereafter based on current practice guidelines.

Implementation of a point of care system in home health.

Point of care implementation can be a daunting task that requires detailed planning and support from administration, clinicians, and patients. The following is a description of one agency's journey through the process. Benefits and barriers are discussed and innovative solutions are presented.