Standard-Setting for Continuing Education Assessment of Select New Competencies.

INTRODUCTION: Completion of continuing education hours might not guarantee the achievement of new competencies. Influenza vaccination training was provided to pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who had no similar training in their pharmacy degree. The training was developed and conducted at Gulf Medical University, UAE. Influenza vaccine administration is not yet a privilege for pharmacists in the UAE. This study focuses on determining whether a defensible cut score for the influenza vaccination training multiple-choice questions examination is feasible. METHODS: Influenza vaccination training and assessment happened on the same day. The Angoff (modified), Beuk, and Hofstee methods were used for standard-setting. Six subject matter experts who were involved in developing and conducting the first influenza vaccination training in the UAE evaluated the cut score using the Angoff method with the Delphi technique. RESULTS: The criterion-based cut score was 34.23 of 46 questions, with mean 74% and SD 2.24. Inter-rater reliability was 0.92 with standard errors of judgment 0.29 (0.63%). DISCUSSION: The modified Angoff is a credible method to set cut scores, reassured with Beuk and Hofstee methods for assessment of influenza continuing education. It is feasible and perhaps essential to determine a formal cut score for the continuing education assessment of health professionals on select new competencies.

Identification of monocarboxylate transporter 8 as a specific thyroid hormone transporter.

Transport of thyroid hormone across the cell membrane is required for its action and metabolism. Recently, a T-type amino acid transporter was cloned which transports aromatic amino acids but not iodothyronines. This transporter belongs to the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) family and is most homologous with MCT8 (SLC16A2). Therefore, we cloned rat MCT8 and tested it for thyroid hormone transport in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Oocytes were injected with rat MCT8 cRNA, and after 3 days immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated expression of the protein at the plasma membrane. MCT8 cRNA induced an approximately 10-fold increase in uptake of 10 nM 125I-labeled thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) and 3,3'-diiodothyronine. Because of the rapid uptake of the ligands, transport was only linear with time for <4 min. MCT8 did not transport Leu, Phe, Trp, or Tyr. [125I]T4 transport was strongly inhibited by L-T4, D-T4, L-T3, D-T3, 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid, N-bromoacetyl-T3, and bromosulfophthalein. T3 transport was less affected by these inhibitors. Iodothyronine uptake in uninjected oocytes was reduced by albumin, but the stimulation induced by MCT8 was markedly increased. Saturation analysis provided apparent Km values of 2-5 microM for T4, T3, and rT3. Immunohistochemistry showed high expression in liver, kidney, brain, and heart. In conclusion, we have identified MCT8 as a very active and specific thyroid hormone transporter.

Las consecuencias del consumo del Khat: Una revisión de la literatura

El Khat es un árbol de hoja perenne que crece en determinados lugares del Este de África y de la Península Arábiga. Las hojas del Khat contienen efectos estimulantes y se mastican con frecuencia en aquellos países en donde crece. Debido a la disponibilidad del transporte aéreo, esta droga se ha extendido a la Europa Occidental y a América. En este artículo revisaremos todos aquellos aspectos relacionados con las consecuencias del Khat, su uso y su abuso en los diferentes lugares del mundo (AU)