Educational Outcomes Resulting From Restructuring a Scholarship Course for Doctor of Pharmacy Students.

To compare educational outcomes between two iterations of a scholarship and research course for Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Pharmacy. The first iteration of a course intended to teach pharmacy students the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct research involved lectures and application exercises, including limited guided questions about different aspects of the research process. In the fall of 2015, multiple structured activities and accompanying grading rubrics, each designed around the structure and content of a section of a research proposal, were introduced to the course to supplement lectures.

Learning Activities to Build Population Health Management Skills for Pharmacy Students.

To describe the implementation and evaluation of population health management learning activities in a second-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) course. Population health learning sessions were implemented in a step-wise manner: population needs assessment activity to identify priority programs for implementation given a specific patient population; didactic materials to introduce program evaluation foundational knowledge; program evaluation design activity to evaluate implemented programs using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Program Evaluation Framework; and evaluation of program outcome data. Students' self-rated abilities (grouped into Bloom's Taxonomy classifications) and perceptions before and after program evaluation activities were assessed.

Raspberry Leaf and Hypoglycemia in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Raspberry leaf is commonly consumed by pregnant women. Hypoglycemic effects have been documented with other species within the plant family. Whether raspberry leaf affects glycemic control in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is unknown.

The role of variants regulating metformin transport and action in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aims: Variants in genes encoding metformin transport proteins and the ATM gene are associated with metformin response. We hypothesized that these gene variants contribute to variable metformin treatment response in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Materials & Methods: The discovery cohort (n = 38) was studied in an open-label study.

Effect on Insulin-Stimulated Release of D-Chiro-Inositol-Containing Inositolphosphoglycan Mediator during Weight Loss in Obese Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

A deficiency of D-chiro-inositol-inositolphosphoglycan mediator (DCI-IPG) may contribute to insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Whether the relationship between impaired DCI-IPG release and insulin resistance is specific to PCOS rather than obesity is unknown. We assessed insulin-released DCI-IPG and its relationship to insulin sensitivity at baseline and after weight loss in obese women with and without PCOS.

Metabolic Effects of a Commonly Used Combined Hormonal Oral Contraceptive in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Data on combined hormonal oral contraceptives' (OCs) effects on metabolic changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been conflicting and were predominantly based on OCs with cyproterone acetate (unavailable in the United States) Most studies did not include normal women as controls. We compared metabolic changes before and after an OC commonly used in the United States between women with and without PCOS.

Methods: Ten PCOS and 20 control women took ethinyl estradiol 35 μg and norgestimate 0.

Sequential compression device compliance in postoperative obstetrics and gynecology patients.

Objective: To assess the association of patient and nursing education on sequential compression device compliance in patients who have undergone major obstetric or benign gynecologic procedures.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study on all English-speaking patients who underwent cesarean delivery or benign gynecologic surgery and were prescribed to wear sequential compression devices postoperatively at a university medical center. The 4-month study was divided into 1-month segments.

Effect of Renin-Angiotensin system inhibition on cardiovascular events in older hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Insulin resistance has been hypothesized as the underlying feature of MetS. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are widely used antihypertensives that may improve insulin sensitivity.

A pilot study: effects of decreasing serum insulin with diazoxide on vitamin D levels in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: We conducted a pilot project to test the hypothesis that decreasing insulin concentrations with diazoxide would affect parameters of vitamin D in obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials And Methods: Eight obese women with PCOS and nine matched controls participated in the study. Diazoxide was administered orally 100 mg three times daily for 10 days, and parameters of vitamin D were measured at baseline and end-of-study.

Emerging concepts about prenatal genesis, aberrant metabolism and treatment paradigms in polycystic ovary syndrome.

The interactive nature of the 8th Annual Meeting of the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Annual Meeting in Munich, Germany (AEPCOS 2010) and subsequent exchanges between speakers led to emerging concepts in PCOS regarding its genesis, metabolic dysfunction, and clinical treatment of inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, anovulation and hirsutism. Transition of care in congenital adrenal hyperplasia from pediatric to adult providers emerged as a potential model for care transition involving PCOS adolescents.

Persistence with oral contraceptive pills versus metformin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: We studied patient persistence with oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) compared to metformin for treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in an urban university clinic population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with PCOS who were treated in our specialty clinic between 2004 and 2006. All women with the diagnosis of PCOS, defined as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in conjunction with clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism, with exclusion of other causes, were included in the study.

Comparison of different metabolic syndrome definitions and risks of incident cardiovascular events in the elderly.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and its prevalence increases with age. Various definitions of the metabolic syndrome exist, but whether some definitions are more predictive of future cardiovascular events in the elderly is unclear. We compared the risk of incident cardiovascular events in elderly individuals at least 65 years old from the Cardiovascular Health Study with and without the metabolic syndrome as defined by the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR), National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)/American Heart Association (AHA), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and modified World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (n = 3390).

Effect of combined metformin and oral contraceptive therapy on metabolic factors and endothelial function in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 19 overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomized to a 3-month course of either metformin plus combined hormonal oral contraceptive (OC) (n = 9) or OC plus matched placebo (n = 10). After 3 months, both treatments had similar effects on androgen levels, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and serum inflammatory markers, but flow-mediated dilatation increased by 69.0% in the metformin plus OC group while it remained unchanged in the OC group.

Divergent effects of a combined hormonal oral contraceptive on insulin sensitivity in lean versus obese women.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a commonly used combined hormonal oral contraceptive (OC) on carbohydrate metabolism in obese as compared with lean women.

Design: 6-month prospective study.

Setting: Clinical research center at an academic medical center.

Long-term effect of metformin on metabolic parameters in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Insulin resistance is a central feature of the PCOS and may increase cardiovascular risk. Owing to insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in women with PCOS compared with unaffected women. Metformin improves the metabolic profile in PCOS in short-term studies.

Total and high-molecular weight adiponectin in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Adiponectin, an adipokine with antidiabetic properties, forms multimers; and the high-molecular weight (HMW) form most closely correlates with insulin sensitivity (S(i)). Therefore, we hypothesize that HMW adiponectin levels are decreased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by insulin resistance, compared with healthy controls and that HMW adiponectin correlates with testosterone and S(i). A cross-sectional study involving 13 women with PCOS and 13 age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls was performed.

Effects of Beta-Blocker Titration on Glucose Homeostasis in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance have been associated with heart failure incidence, severity, and mortality. Metabolic parameters such as hepatic glucose production may be altered by beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of metoprolol or carvedilol up-titration on fasting glucose, insulin resistance and beta(2)-mediated glucose production in patients with chronic heart failure.

Effect of learner-centered teaching on motivation and learning strategies in a third-year pharmacotherapy course.

Objectives: To develop, implement, and assess a learner-centered approach to teaching a third-year pharmacotherapy course in a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program.

Methods: The pharmacotherapy course was restructured according to the learner-centered approach. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was administered to students before and after taking the course, and changes in MSLQ subscales from baseline were evaluated.

Risk of cardiovascular events in mothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular events in an older population of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: We took advantage of the high heritability of PCOS and determined the probable PCOS status of mothers of women with PCOS. The prevalence of cardiovascular events was then determined in these mothers with and without PCOS.

Insulin-stimulated release of D-chiro-inositol-containing inositolphosphoglycan mediator correlates with insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Some actions of insulin are mediated by inositolphosphoglycan (IPG) mediators. Deficient release of a putative D-chiro-inositol-containing (DCI) IPG mediator may contribute to insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Previously, we demonstrated that oral DCI supplementation improved ovulation and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS.

Research in women and special populations.

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy charged a Task Force on Research in Special Populations to review, update, and broaden its 1993 White Paper on Women as Research Subjects. Participants of the task force included pharmacy clinicians and investigators in the field. This resulting White Paper, Research in Women and Special Populations, discusses the current concepts regarding the conduct of research in women, as well as in special populations such as children, elderly, minorities, cognitively impaired, and other vulnerable populations (e.

Glucose intolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome--a position statement of the Androgen Excess Society.

Objectives: Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for developing glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Recommendations for the timing and method of screening have varied. The purpose of this statement is to determine the optimal screening method, timing of screening, and treatment modalities for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among women with PCOS.

Is metformin a primary ovulatory agent in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Insulin resistance is an important pathophysiological feature of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance and its compensatory hyperinsulinemia contribute to the anovulation, hyperandrogenism, infertility and early pregnancy loss suffered by women with PCOS. Current evidence supports the role of metformin in the treatment of anovulation in PCOS, both in monotherapy and concomitantly with clomiphene in clomiphene-resistant patients.