Objective. To incorporate Bloom’s taxonomy into multiple-choice examination questions in a pharmacotherapeutics course and assess its effectiveness in detecting areas of improvement in learning.Design. Bloom’s taxonomy was incorporated into examination questions through a multi-step process: Sample questions representing each learning domain within Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) were introduced to students during lecture presentations and discussions. Quiz and examination containing questions categorized according to Bloom’s taxonomy were administered to students. During review sessions following each quiz or examination, the categorization of each question was provided to students and feedback from students was gathered.Assessment. The effect of the 5 types of test questions on the correct response fraction and discrimination index was determined after combining synthesis and evaluation. Correct response fractions for knowledge, comprehension...

Enterococci are often used in probiotics but can also cause nosocomial infections. As such, enterococcal consumption may have beneficial health effects, but a thorough evaluation of virulence absence and risk of antibiotic resistance spread is needed at the strain level. This article reviewed ten online health product shopping websites in the US. On these websites, 23 probiotic products using enterococci were found across 12 companies. In addition, this article reviewed studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention). To investigate the safety aspects of enterococci, the present work examined studies evaluating virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, this article assessed research that explored these virulent factors, specifically in probiotics containing enterococci, as well as the potential transfer mechanism of their antibiotic resistance. Based on reviewed data, enterococcal probiotic consumption has been proven beneficial for conditions or symptoms of multiple diseases without any apparent adverse effects. However, due to the plasmid- or transposon-mediated gene transfer ability of enterococci, surveillance monitoring and further studies regarding enterococcal consumption are warranted. Future studies that identify enterococcal strains safe to use in probiotics without virulence factors and antibiotic resistance are imperative for evidence-based decisions by health organizations and government agencies.

Introduction: The concept of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) was first introduced by Aron and Aron (1996) as an innate trait characterized by heightened processing of sensory, emotional, and physical stimuli. Since the concept’s introduction in 1996, high SPS has been shown to be associated with poor physical and mental health. It is possible that this is especially true in university students, who are frequently faced with numerous stressors, such as intense workloads and test anxiety. Methods: This article is a systematic literature review conducted through EBSCOHost using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Education Research Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE Complete, and SocINDEX. Search terms included terms regarding high sensory processing sensitivity, university or professional students, and mental health. Results: A total of 6 studies were included. University students with high SPS experienced heightened reactions to sensory, emotional, and physical stimuli. The studies demonstrate correlations of high SPS with outcomes such as depressive tendencies and difficulty adjusting to college. Discussion: These findings highlight that SPS is associated with poor mental health outcomes. The results underscore the importance of developing support methods for students with high SPS. Future studies should further explore SPS in university students to develop targeted support methods and programs.

The Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) has taken a strong stance on assessment in pharmacy education. One available assessment tool is cumulative assessments, which may be administered at various points in the curriculum. This article presents the results of a survey of U.S. schools of pharmacy regarding the use of cumulative assessments within their curriculum. A 20-question survey tool was emailed to 125 schools of pharmacy. A total of 105 out of 125 schools participated (response rate 84%). Of these, 52 schools currently have a cumulative assessment program; 18 have one cumulative exam prior to advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs); 19 have a cumulative exam every didactic year; and seven have accumulative exams every semester, except during APPEs (n = 44). Increased faculty workload emerged as the top challenge faced by schools that have implemented a cumulative assessment program. Eighteen schools indicated that no outcomes are measured to determine the utility of the cumulative assessment. From these results, it appears that almost half of participating U.S. schools have implemented a cumulative assessment plan. However, it is apparent that more research needs to be done to determine which outcomes are expected to improve with the implementation of such an assessment plan.