Socioeconomic factors and test preparation strategies are related to success on the USMLE Step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) exam: a single-institution study.

Background: Since the elimination of numerical scoring of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, the perceived importance of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores in residency placement has increased. It is known that socioeconomic status (SES) and other demographic factors can be barriers to success in standardized assessment, but few recent studies report the relationship between student demographics, including SES, with Step 2 CK scores in the context of exam practice material access and usage. In this study, we investigated predictors of Step 2 CK success across two years at one institution.

Infants' top-down perceptual modulation is specific to own-race faces.

Recent studies have revealed the influence of higher-level cognitive systems in modulating perceptual processing (top-down perceptual modulation) in infancy. However, more research is needed to understand how top-down processes in infant perception contribute to early perceptual development. To this end, this study examined infants' top-down perception of own- and other-race faces to reveal whether top-down modulation is linked to the emergence of perceptual specialization.

A world-wide survey on kidney transplantation practices in breast cancer survivors: The need for new management guidelines.

Kidney transplantation reduces mortality in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Decisions about performing kidney transplantation in the setting of a prior cancer are challenging, as cancer recurrence in the setting of immunosuppression can result in poor outcomes. For cancer of the breast, rapid advances in molecular characterization have allowed improved prognostication, which is not reflected in current guidelines.

Use of functional electrical stimulation cycle ergometers by individuals with spinal cord injury.

Purpose: To assess the use of network-connected home-based functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycle ergometers.

Method: De-identified data on >20,000 FES sessions for 314 users with spinal cord injury were analyzed for usage patterns and energy expenditure. These were compared with authoritative exercise guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week over at least 2 days per week for a total of 1,000 kcals.