Publications by authors named "Hicks K"

Article Synopsis
  • - Plants have adapted to synchronize their reproductive cycles with environmental signals, and while much is known about this in flowering plants (angiosperms), both vascular and nonvascular plants share some genetic similarities.
  • - Researchers focused on a specific plant's genes that might link temperature responses to reproductive timing and found two genes similar to known regulators in angiosperms.
  • - Surprisingly, knockout mutations of these genes did not significantly affect the plant's timing of reproduction or its response to cold stress, indicating these genes may not be crucial for seasonal reproductive transitions.
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Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is primarily associated with five Neisseria meningitidis serogroups: A, B, C, W, or Y. In the United States (US), available vaccines protect against serogroups B (MenB), A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY), and A, B, C, W, and Y (MenABCWY). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is re-evaluating the adolescent meningococcal vaccination schedule with varying recommendation formats.

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Objectives: Patient messaging to clinicians has dramatically increased since the pandemic, leading to informatics efforts to categorize incoming messages. We examined how message prioritization (as distinct from categorization) occurs in primary care, and how primary care clinicians managed their inbox workflows.

Materials And Methods: Semi-structured interviews and inbox work observations with 11 primary care clinicians at MedStar Health.

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A gene cluster responsible for the degradation of nicotinic acid (NA) in has recently been identified, and the structures and functions of the resulting enzymes are currently being evaluated to establish pathway intermediates. One of the genes within this cluster encodes a flavin monooxygenase (BnFMO) that is hypothesized to catalyze a hydroxylation reaction. Kinetic analyses of the recombinantly purified BnFMO suggest that this enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of 2,6-dihydroxynicotinic acid (2,6-DHNA) or 2,6-dihydroxypyridine (2,6-DHP), which is formed spontaneously by the decarboxylation of 2,6-DHNA.

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Background: The presence of dental caries impacts on children's daily lives, particularly among those living in deprived areas. There are successful interventions across the United Kingdom for young children based on toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste. However, evidence is lacking for oral health improvement programmes in secondary-school pupils to reduce dental caries and its sequelae.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study analyzed nutrition advice available on the websites of 52 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG), focusing on information relevant to male and female gymnasts based on rankings from November 2022.
  • - Findings revealed that publicly accessible nutrition information is scarce and sometimes conflicting, particularly regarding hydration practices and macronutrient guidelines, which could confuse readers.
  • - Recommendations include improving the clarity and specificity of dietary advice, developing tools for measuring hydration, and creating a more standardized approach to nutrition information across global gymnastics platforms.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on improving vascular access for patients needing frequent apheresis by transitioning from a Vortex dual lumen port to a combination of a Powerflow port and a ClearVUE port.
  • Results showed that the new port configuration significantly reduced treatment time (from 91.18 min to 77.96 min) and increased flow rates (from 61.59 mL/min to 71.89 mL/min).
  • Additionally, the need for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was almost eliminated among those switched from the Vortex ports, indicating potential cost savings and improved efficiency in apheresis procedures.
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Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown significant efficacy in hematological diseases. However, CAR T therapy has demonstrated limited efficacy in solid tumors, including glioblastoma (GBM). One of the most important reasons is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which promotes tumor growth and suppresses immune cells used to eliminate tumor cells.

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Aspin, GL, Graham, M, Franklin, J, Hicks, KM, and Taylor, JM. The relationship between the anaerobic speed reserve and acute responses to high-intensity interval training in female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): 1911-1916, 2024-The anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) is a popular method of profiling soccer players, often used to individualize training prescription.

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Background: Libraries provide public access to information that may be used to inform healthcare decisions. Exploring the health information needs of library-users could improve community health outcomes, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the health information needs of library-users to explore the potential role of libraries in advancing community health.

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Objectives: In non-industrialized and low-income populations, adipose stores can serve as a valuable buffer against harsh conditions such as seasonal food scarcity. However, these reserves may incur costs due to adipocytes' production of pro-inflammatory cytokines; inflammation is associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases later in life. Life history theory posits that, especially in populations with high juvenile mortality, higher adiposity may nonetheless be advantageous if its benefits in early life outweigh its later costs.

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Background: A number of children experience difficulties with social communication and this has long-term deleterious effects on their mental health, social development and education. The E-PLAYS-2 study will test an intervention ('E-PLAYS') aimed at supporting such children. E-PLAYS uses a dyadic computer game to develop collaborative and communication skills.

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Canine carcinomatosis (CC) and mesothelioma (CM) are rare but aggressive neoplasms that historically have been associated with poor prognoses. There is limited information regarding treatment for CC and CM. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of toceranib phosphate (Palladia) in dogs with CC and CM.

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to update previously estimated public health impact and cost effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) for the prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) in Canadians aged ≥50 years using longer-term RZV efficacy and waning data and real-world coverage and completion.

Methods: A multicohort Markov model was used to conduct a cost-utility analysis comparing RZV with no HZ vaccination among Canadians aged ≥50 years. Real-world data were used for first-dose coverage (17.

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Objective: While evidence continues to emerge on the negative health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on the lungs, little is known regarding their deleterious effects on the upper airway. The purpose of this review is to summarize the toxicological effects of e-cigarettes, and their components, on the upper airway.

Data Sources: PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE databases.

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Background: For a hospitalized patient, transitioning to comfort measures only (CMO) involves discontinuation of life-prolonging interventions with a goal of allowing natural death. Nurses play a pivotal role during the provision of CMO, caring for both the dying patient and their family.

Objective: To examine the experiences of ICU nurses caring for patients receiving CMO.

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The title compound, CHNO, is a hy-droxy-lated pyridine ring that has been studied for its involvement in microbial degradation of nicotinic acid. Here we describe its synthesis as a formic acid salt, rather than the standard hydro-chloride salt that is commercially available, and its spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization.

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Thiamin and its phosphate derivatives are ubiquitous molecules involved as essential cofactors in many cellular processes. The biosynthesis of thiamin employs the parallel synthesis of 4-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)thiazole (THZ-P) and 4-amino-2-methyl-5(diphosphooxymethyl) pyrimidine (HMP) pyrophosphate (HMP-PP), which are coupled to generate thiamin phosphate. Most organisms that can biosynthesize thiamin employ a kinase (HMPK or ThiD) to generate HMP-PP.

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Internal medicine residents frequently experience distressing clinical events; critical event debriefing is one tool to help mitigate their effects. To evaluate the effectiveness of a 1-hour workshop teaching residents a novel, efficient approach to leading a team debrief after emotionally charged clinical events. An internal needs assessment identified time and confidence as debriefing barriers.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted sexual behaviors and the HIV continuum of care in the United States, reducing HIV testing and diagnosis, and use of preexposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to understand the future implications of these effects through a modeling study.

Methods: We first ran our compartmental model of HIV transmission in the United States accounting for pandemic-related short-term changes in transmission behavior and HIV prevention and care provision in 2020 to 2021 only.

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The suppressor of T cell receptor signaling (Sts) proteins are negative regulators of immune signaling. Genetic inactivation of these proteins leads to significant resistance to infection. From a 590,000 compound high-throughput screen, we identified the 2-()-quinolinone derivative, rebamipide, as a putative inhibitor of Sts phosphatase activity.

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Objectives: This multicentre, assessor-blinded, two-arm cluster randomized trial evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention promoting toothbrushing for preventing dental caries in UK secondary schools.

Methods: Pupils aged 11-13 years with their own mobile telephone attending secondary schools with above average free school meals eligibility were randomized (at year-group level) to receive a lesson and twice-daily text messages or to usual care. Year-groups (n = 84) from 42 schools including 4680 pupils (intervention, n = 2262; control, n = 2418) were randomized.

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