Pharmacologic therapy for vitamin D deficiency

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation should be used for vitamin D repletion because it may be more effective in preventing nonvertebral fractures. (Strength of Recommendation [SOR]: B, based on subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs].) Cholecalciferol produces higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels than ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). Vitamin D therapy may be given daily or weekly with equal effectiveness; the dosage depends on the degree of deficiency. (SOR: C, based on an RCT and cohort study.) The cumulative dosage is more important than dosing frequency, so the choice of daily, weekly, or monthly dosing can be based on patient preference. (SOR: C, based on an RCT.) Vitamin D levels should be rechecked after three months to ensure adequate response. (SOR: C, based on an observational study.

An obesity remedy for diabetes

Consider bariatric surgery for patients with diabetes who are obese; surgery is associated with higher remission rates than medical therapy, regardless of the amount of weight lost

Does fish oil during pregnancy help prevent asthma in kids?

Does fish oil during pregnancy help prevent asthma in kids? The evidence on fish oil has been mixed, but this study affirms its benefits--in certain women. PRACTICE CHANGER: Fish oil supplementation taken by women in the third trimester of pregnancy can reduce the risk of persistent wheeze, asthma, and infections of the lower respiratory tract in their children.Authors: Dana Neutze, MD, PhD; Kelly Lacy Evans, MD; Marianne Koenig, PharmD, BCPS; Gregory Castelli, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM; Anne Mounsey, MD Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Drs. Neutze, Evans, and Mounsey); UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency Program, Pittsburgh, Pa (Drs. Koenig and Castelli)

Sparsity-based single-shot sub-wavelength coherent diffractive imaging

We present the experimental reconstruction of sub-wavelength features from the far-field intensity of sparse optical objects: sparsity-based sub-wavelength imaging combined with phase-retrieval. As examples, we demonstrate the recovery of random and ordered arrangements of 100 nm features with the resolution of 30 nm, with an illuminating wavelength of 532 nm. Our algorithmic technique relies on minimizing the number of degrees of freedom; it works in real-time, requires no scanning, and can be implemented in all existing microscopes - optical and non-optical