An evidence-based review of fat modifying supplemental weight loss products.

Objective. To review the literature on fat modifying dietary supplements commonly used for weight loss. Methods.

An instructional model for a nonprescription therapeutics course.

Objectives: To design and implement curricular modifications to a nonprescription therapeutics course to better meet course objectives.

Design: Improvements included the addition of journaling, mastery grading, case studies, verbal examinations, educational mentors, and encouraging classroom participation.

Assessment: Student course evaluations and grades were used to assess the impact of the pedagogical modifications.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid ratio.

Study Objectives: To determine the baseline arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (AA:EPA) ratio in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects, and whether supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, administered as fish oil capsules, affects this ratio.

Design: Prospective, open-label trial.

Setting: University-affiliated cardiology clinic.

Analyzing course objectives: assessing critical thinking in the pharmacy curriculum.

Assessment of critical thinking objectives in a pharmacy program curriculum is an important part of program assessment. This study measures the proportion of cognitive learning objectives at various levels of Bloom's taxonomy throughout the required curriculum using the stated objectives in course syllabi (the explicit curriculum). In one entry level doctor of pharmacy program, 54.

Weaving basic and social sciences into a case-based, clinically oriented medical curriculum: one school's approach.

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine recently completed its fourth year of a resource-session-enhanced, case-based, tutor-group-oriented curriculum. As an example of a curricular unit, the authors describe the implementation of the basic and clinical sciences in one of the four units in year one, and detail that unit's organization, logistics, content, rationale, and other characteristics. The Sensorimotor Systems and Behavior (SSB) unit is preceded by a cardio-respiratory-renal unit and is followed by an endocrine-reproductive-gastrointestinal unit.

Supplemental products used for weight loss.

Objective: To review the scientific literature on several dietary supplements and herbal products commonly promoted for weight loss.

Data Sources: Recently published articles and abstracts identified through PubMed (May 1987-May 2003), MEDLINE (January 1966-May 2003), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970-May 2003), and Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (January 1995-May 2003) using the search terms supplement, herbal, weight loss, obesity, overweight, conjugated linoleic acid, ephedra, ephedrine, chromium, Garcinia cambogia, hydroxycitric acid, chitosan, and pyruvate.

Study Selection: Performed manually by the authors.