Introduction: Board certification in urology is a multistep process including a written qualifying examination (QE), followed by an oral certifying examination (CE) approximately 2 years after residency or fellowship completion. The goal of this process is to ensure that urologists are well trained, have an extensive fund of knowledge, demonstrate professionalism and competence in practice, and are safe to practice urology. Board certification in urology serves to both establish and confirm physician competence and ultimately protect the public.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGiven the increasing integration of trusted leaders in public health science, including vaccination programs, context-specific understandings of community perceptions and levels of trust are critical to intervention. This study aimed to understand the perspectives and attitudes of the southeastern Louisiana community and inform the development of a community-engaged action plan. A cross-sectional survey of 555 southeastern Louisianans-including faith-based organization (FBO) members, community pharmacy (CommRx) customers, community-based organization (CBO) contacts, and Louisiana community-dwelling residents-was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMembers of the piggyBac superfamily of DNA transposons are widely distributed in host genomes ranging from insects to mammals. The human genome has retained five piggyBac-derived genes as domesticated elements although they are no longer mobile. Here, we have investigated the transposition properties of piggyBat from Myotis lucifugus, the only known active mammalian DNA transposon, and show that its low activity in human cells is due to subterminal inhibitory DNA sequences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been detected in multiple animal species, including white-tailed deer (WTD), raising concerns about zoonotic transmission, particularly in environments with frequent human interactions. To understand how human exposure influences SARS-CoV-2 infection in WTD, we compared infection and exposure prevalence between farmed and free-ranging deer populations in Florida. We also examined the timing and viral variants in WTD relative to those in Florida's human population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhotogrammetry is a significant tool museums utilize to produce high-quality 3D models for research and exhibit content. As advancements in computer hardware and software continue, it is crucial to assess the effectiveness of photogrammetry software in producing research-quality 3D models. This study evaluates the efficacy of Apple's Object Capture photogrammetry API to create high-quality 3D models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Synchrotron Radiat
September 2024
The Keck-PAD (pixel array detector) was developed at Cornell as a burst-rate imager capable of recording images from successive electron bunches (153 ns period) from the Advanced Photon Source (APS). Both Si and hole-collecting Schottky CdTe have been successfully bonded to this ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) and used with this frame rate. The facility upgrades at the APS will lower the bunch period to 77 ns, which will require modifications to the Keck-PAD electronics to image properly at this reduced period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Community Health Assessment (CHA) was conducted among community members in a rural Western Kentucky county in 2022-2023 identified mental health as one of the top health issues in the county. The purpose of a CHA is to identify key health needs and issues through data and develop strategies for action. One of the objectives was to identify barriers to accessing mental health care, especially among youth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To explore the perspectives of educators, parents, and individuals on the autism spectrum regarding the qualities of teachers best equipped to support autistic students.
Methods: In qualitative interviews parents of autistic adults (n = 35) discussed experiences they and their child faced during the school years, as did young autistic adults (n = 12) and teens (n = 11). Nineteen educators were also interviewed regarding how autistic students and their teachers were faring in public schools as well as what qualities and skills teachers needed to best support these students.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts are increasingly recognized as critical for the success of academic institutions. These efforts are facilitated mainly through the formation of dedicated DEIA committees. DEIA committees enhance professional development and create a more inclusive environment, which benefits all members of the institution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdenylosuccinate lyase deficiency is an ultrarare congenital metabolic disorder associated with muscle weakness and neurobehavioral dysfunction. Adenylosuccinate lyase is required for de novo purine biosynthesis, acting twice in the pathway at non-sequential steps. Genetic models can contribute to our understanding of the etiology of disease phenotypes and pave the way for development of therapeutic treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInborn errors of purine metabolism are rare syndromes with an array of complex phenotypes in humans. One such disorder, adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency (ASLD), is caused by a decrease in the activity of the bi-functional purine biosynthetic enzyme adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL). Mutations in human ADSL cause epilepsy, muscle ataxia, and autistic-like symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe OSU/PNNL Superfund Research Program (SRP) represents a longstanding collaboration to quantify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at various superfund sites in the Pacific Northwest and assess their potential impact on human health. To link the chemical measurements to biological activity, we describe the use of the zebrafish as a high-throughput developmental toxicity model that provides quantitative measurements of the exposure to chemicals. Toward this end, we have linked over 150 PAHs found at Superfund sites to the effect of these same chemicals in zebrafish, creating a rich dataset that links environmental exposure to biological response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: STAT2 is both an effector and negative regulator of type I interferon (IFN-I) signalling. We describe the characterization of a novel homozygous missense STAT2 substitution in a patient with a type I interferonopathy.
Methods: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify the genetic basis of disease in a patient with features of enhanced IFN-I signalling.
Introduction: Tobacco cessation is a critical but challenging intervention for cancer patients. Our National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center instituted a tobacco cessation program in 2019. This manuscript reports on the first 2 years of our experience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo explore issues surrounding re-consenting youth in longitudinal studies as they reach legal adulthood interviews were conducted with 46 parents plus 13 autistic teens enrolled in the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) study. Qualitative analysis focused on family sensitivities regarding guardianship decisions, transition concerns, and the re-consenting process. Questions regarding guardianship were difficult for parents unsure of a teen's future status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe carried out a density functional theory (DFT) study of the electronic and related properties of zinc blende indium arsenide (zb-InAs). These related properties include the total and partial densities of states and electron and hole effective masses. We utilized the local density approximation (LDA) potential of Ceperley and Alder.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In 2020, Victoria introduced multiple interventions aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We examine the effect of these restrictions on other vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).
Methods: We analysed the mandatory reporting data, notified to the Victorian Department of Health, for VPDs from January 2015 to December 2021.
Objective: To investigate the causes, characteristics, and outcomes of anaphylaxis, particularly drug-related anaphylaxis, in Victoria during the first two years of mandatory notification.
Design: Review of all anaphylaxis cases reported by emergency departments to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Setting, Participants: People presenting to all public and private hospital emergency departments in Victoria, 1 November 2018 - 31 December 2020.
Human USP18 is an interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene product and a negative regulator of type I IFN (IFN-I) signaling. It also removes covalently linked ISG15 from proteins, in a process called deISGylation. In turn, ISG15 prevents USP18 from being degraded by the proteasome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and serious mental health problem. Although there are effective psychotherapies for PTSD, there is little information about their comparative effectiveness.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) vs cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for treating PTSD in veterans.