Primary care management of obesity: Individualized treatment strategies.

Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. This article explores the popular diet trends in the country and analyzes their potential for use among patients with comorbid conditions. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for obesity management are used as a framework for comparison of obesity management options.

Evaluation of a microarray-based assay for rapid identification of Gram-positive organisms and resistance markers in positive blood cultures.

Rapid identification of pathogens directly from positive blood cultures can play a major role in reducing patient mortality rates. We evaluated the performance of the Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture (BC-GP) assay (Nanosphere Inc., Northbrook, IL) for detection of commonly isolated Gram-positive organisms as well as associated resistance markers from positive blood cultures.

Comparison of time to positivity of the VersaTREK® REDOX 80-mL and the REDOX EZ draw 40-mL blood culture bottles for common bacterial bloodstream pathogens.

The VersaTREK(®) microbial detection system offers 2 media formulations, an aerobic and an anaerobic bottle available in a 40-mL direct draw format and an 80-mL format. The 40-mL EZ Draw(®) bottle can be inoculated with a maximum volume of 5 mL, while the REDOX 80-mL bottle accommodates a 10-mL volume. The effect of volume of blood inoculum on time to positivity (TTP) has not been clearly established with these bottle types.

One-year clinical outcomes for Louisiana residents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Purpose: To identify patient outcomes for residents with a dual diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension under the care of nurse practitioners and physicians in joint or collaborative practice in Louisiana.

Data Sources: A retrospective review of records of 115 patients by 15 NPs across the state (response rate 30%) that examined clinical outcomes after 1 year for 14 indexes of care as well as standards of treatment for both diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusions: Significant clinical outcomes for body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol levels were found.