Infectious complications of newer agents in the fight against diabetes.

Infectious complications have been reported with antidiabetic medications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors have been associated with upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have been associated with lower limb amputations, urinary tract infections, genital mycotic infections, and Fournier gangrene.

Frontline perspective on credentialing and privileging of ambulatory care pharmacists.

Objectives: To present the current state of, and frontline advice on, the implementation of successful credentialing and privileging processes for practicing pharmacists in the United States.

Methods: The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Section Advisory Group on Compensation and Practice Sustainability surveyed ambulatory care pharmacists via ASHP Connect about the status, structure and oversight of their ambulatory care clinical practice sites with credentialed and privileged (C&P) pharmacists.

Key Findings: Over 80% of survey respondents identified themselves as a C&P pharmacist, and over 90% indicated it is 'Important' or 'Very Important' for pharmacists to be C&P.

Admission type is a paradoxical predictor of performance in problem-based learning courses.

Introduction: To determine if a difference in problem-based learning (PBL) performance or student attrition exists based on admission type.

Methods: This retrospective review analyzed admission type and student academic performance in the PBL course series from 2002 to 2009. Student scores were compiled based on admission type: provisional (high school), traditional with degree (bachelor's or higher), and traditional without degree (some college).

Effect of fish oil supplement administration method on tolerability and adherence: a randomized pilot clinical trial.

Objectives: Anecdotally, several strategies have been suggested in order to improve tolerability of fish oil supplements, but there is little evidence supporting any of these strategies. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a difference among four methods of oral administration of fish oil supplementation in terms of tolerability and adherence.

Methods: A randomized, prospective, open-label, four-arm pilot study was conducted on 60 healthy adult subjects randomized to different fish oil supplement administration methods with (1) milk, (2) food, (3) an empty stomach, and (4) frozen capsules prior to ingestion.

Development of critical thinking in health professions education: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Introduction: While reports of critical thinking exist in the health professions literature, development of critical thinking across a broad range of health-professions students has not been systematically reviewed.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, multiple databases and journals were searched through February 2016 to identify longitudinal studies using standardized tests of critical thinking [California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST), Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT), and Defining Issues Test (DIT)] in any language. Two reviewers extracted information and collected information regarding primary author, publishing journal, health profession, critical thinking test, and time1/time2 means and standard deviations.

Sodium Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors and Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Three Patients with Diabetes: Underlying Causation.

Sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) inhibit the reabsorption of glucose in the renal tubules reducing glycemia and increasing glucosuria. The increased glucosuria causes a shift in normal flora and colonization of pathogenic microorganisms leading to an increase in mycotic genital infections. Recent Food and Drug Administration reported cases of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after initiation of SGLT2i probes the question of safety with such agents.

Evidence-based review of statin use in patients with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.

Introduction: As a result of improved safe and effective therapeutic options for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), life expectancy of those living with HIV is increasing leading to new challenges (e.g., management of chronic diseases).

Impact of vitamin D status on statin-induced myopathy.

Introduction: There is a multitude of evidence supporting the benefit of statin use in cardiovascular disease; however, statin-induced myopathy is a major reason for statin discontinuation and non-adherence. Vitamin D deficiency has been independently associated with muscle weakness and severe myopathy, and may be a confounder for statin-induced myopathies. Since there is no consensus on a treatment course of action for statin-induced myopathy, investigation into potential confounders to elucidate the dynamics of statin-induced myopathy is warranted.

Performing the Parryscope technique gently for office tubal patency assessment.

Objective: To demonstrate a novel approach to office tubal patency assessment through infusing air into saline during flexible office hysteroscopy. We also provide data addressing pain and patient experience relative to hysterosalpingography (HSG).

Design: Video presentation of clinical technique with supportive crossover data (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

Impact of mulberry leaf extract on type 2 diabetes (Mul-DM): A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Aims: Mulberry leaves have been used anecdotally in Asia to treat many disease states, including glucose abnormalities. Animal and human studies illustrate potential benefit of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the glycemic and safety effects of MLE in patients with DM2.

Predictors of vitamin D deficiency in inflammatory bowel disease and health: A Mississippi perspective.

Aim: To identify the predictors of vitamin D deficiency in patients with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) related diagnostic codes who received medical care at University of Mississippi Medical Center between July 2012 and 2015 were identified. After thorough chart review, we identified patients with biopsy proven IBD who had also been tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration.

Proximal Tubal Patency Demonstrated Through Air Infusion During Flexible Office Hysteroscopy Is Predictive of Whole Tubal Patency.

Study Objective: To determine whether air bubbles infused into saline during flexible office hysteroscopy can accurately predict tubal patency.

Design: Diagnostic accuracy study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

Setting: An academic hospital.

Comparison of Pharmacist and Physician Managed Annual Medicare Wellness Services.

Background: Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) are a benefit provided for Medicare beneficiaries to increase focus on wellness and preventive measures. Pharmacists can conduct AWVs, which offers a potential avenue for outpatient revenue generation.

Program Description: To compare a composite of interventions and screenings and revenue generated by a pharmacist with those made by a physician during a subsequent AWV.

Risk Factors for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: To assess personal and demographic risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this prospective, non-interventional, cross-sectional case-control study, 380 African Americans with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Participants were recruited prospectively and had to have either: (1) absence of diabetic retinopathy after ≥10 years of type 2 diabetes, or (2) presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy when enrolled.

African Ancestry Analysis and Admixture Genetic Mapping for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between proportion of African ancestry (PAA) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to identify genetic loci associated with PDR using admixture mapping in African Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Between 1993 and 2013, 1440 participants enrolled in four different studies had fundus photographs graded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale. Cases (n = 305) had PDR while controls (n = 1135) had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) or no DR.

Pathways to Improve Student Pharmacists' Experience in Research.

Objective: To describe the implementation of a student research program and to provide outcomes from the initial 4 years' experience.

Design: Students conducted individual research projects in a 4-year longitudinal program (known as Pathway), with faculty member advising and peer mentoring. A prospective assessment compared perceptions of those who completed the Pathway program with those of students who did not.

Impact of a residency interest group on students applying for residency.

Objective: To determine the impact of a faculty-directed, residency interest group on the knowledge, confidence, and preparedness about residency-related topics of third-year (P3) and fourth-year (P4) pharmacy students.

Design: Faculty members implemented residency interest group sessions on residency and career preparation for P3 and P4 students. Group meetings consisted of four 2- to 3-hour sessions that covered topics such as residency timeline and resources, letter of intent and CV development, proper interview techniques, and navigating the midyear clinical meeting.

Pterostilbene on metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effect of pterostilbene on metabolic parameters. Methods.

Efficacy and safety of intrauterine insemination and assisted reproductive technology in populations serodiscordant for human immunodeficiency virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess procreative outcomes for HIV-positive men and women with seronegative partners.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Not applicable.

A multipreceptor approach to ambulatory care topic discussions.

Objective: To assess the impact of a multipreceptor approach to facilitating topic discussions on students' knowledge and confidence in clinical decision-making during an ambulatory care advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).

Design: Faculty members with relevant expertise and experience facilitated discussions with fourth-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students regarding 7 ambulatory care topics. A student self-assessment survey and knowledge-assessment instrument was administered before and after discussions.

Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a new class of antihyperglycemic agents that block renal sodium and glucose reabsorption and may reduce blood pressure (BP). We assessed the BP lowering ability of these agents using meta-analytic techniques. PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central were searched through October 2013.