MPrESS: An R-Package for Accurately Predicting Power for Comparisons of 16S rRNA Microbiome Taxa Distributions including Simulation by Dirichlet Mixture Modeling.

Deep sequencing has revealed that the 16S rRNA gene composition of the human microbiome can vary between populations. However, when existing data are insufficient to address the desired study questions due to limited sample sizes, Dirichlet mixture modeling (DMM) can simulate 16S rRNA gene predictions from experimental microbiome data. We examined the extent to which simulated 16S rRNA gene microbiome data can accurately reflect the diversity within that identified from experimental data and calculate the power.

Enhancing intraoral scanner accuracy using scan aid for multiple implants in the edentulous arch: An in vivo study.

Objectives: Intraoral scans of multiple implants in the edentulous arch are challenged by the absence of a distinct surface morphology between scan bodies. A scan aid was applied in such situation and evaluated for intraoral scanning accuracy in vivo.

Materials And Methods: 87 implants in 22 patients were scanned with scan aid (SA) and without scan aid (NO) using two different intraoral scanners (CS3600 [CS] and TRIOS3 [TR]).

A Postcard Primer Prior to Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test Among Veterans: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) programs are increasingly utilized for population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Advanced notifications (primers) are one behavioral designed feature of many mailed FIT programs, but few have tested this feature among Veterans.

Objective: To determine if an advanced notification, a primer postcard, increases completion of FIT among Veterans.

Effect of a Peer Health Coaching Intervention on Clinical Outcomes Among US Veterans With Cardiovascular Risks: The Vet-COACH Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US, CVD risk factors remain suboptimally controlled.

Objective: To test the effectiveness of a home-visit, peer health coaching intervention to improve health outcomes for veterans with multiple CVD risks.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This 2-group, unblinded randomized clinical trial, called Vet-COACH (Veteran Peer Coaches Optimizing and Advancing Cardiac Health), used a novel geographic-based method to recruit a racially diverse population of veterans with low income.

Nucleotide-dependent activities of FtsA regulate the early establishment of a functional divisome during the cell cycle.

During cell division in , the highly conserved tubulin homolog FtsZ polymerizes and assembles into a ring-like structure, called the Z-ring, at the site of septation. For recruitment to the membrane surface, FtsZ polymers directly interact with membrane-associated proteins, predominantly FtsA in . FtsA shares structural homology with actin and, like actin, hydrolyzes ATP.

The last days: The medical response of United States and allied military teams during the Afghanistan Exodus.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the United States and allied military medical response during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Background: The military withdrawal from Afghanistan concluded with severe hostilities resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. The clinical care provided by coalition forces capitalized on decades of lessons learned and enabled unprecedented accomplishments.

Cosmetic Enhancement Updates and Pitfalls in Patients of Color.

Skin of color in dermatology encompasses individuals of various ethnic backgrounds including Black or those of African descent, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and those of mixed ethnicities. Because these populations continue to expand, more patients of color (POC) are seeking out cosmetic enhancements and treatments. Aside from cosmeceuticals, nonsurgical cosmetic rejuvenation options, such laser and light-based treatments, neurotoxins, soft tissue augmentation, and more recently body contouring and skin tightening, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide.

Diamond rotors.

The resolution of magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra remains bounded by the spinning frequency, which is limited by the material strength of MAS rotors. Since diamond is capable of withstanding 1.5-2.

Premedical Student Interest in and Exposure to Dermatology at Howard University.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of premedical undergraduate students at Howard University (Washington, DC), to evaluate the level of interest that underrepresented in medicine (UiM) premedical students have in the field of dermatology. The 19-question survey assessed student knowledge, opinions, and exposure to dermatology. Dermatology is an area of great interest for UiM premedical students that has few avenues available for exposure and learning.

Endometriosis: Cell Death and Cell Signaling Machinery.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder defined as the deposition and growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, including but not limited to the pelvic peritoneum, rectovaginal septum, and ovaries. Endometriosis is a substantial contributor to pelvic pain and subfertility and has been associated with an increased incidence of certain cancers, including ovarian. Appropriate treatment of endometriosis can reduce morbidity, but generally is used only to address symptoms, since no cure currently exists.

Matrix metalloproteinase activity during methamphetamine cued relapse.

Relapse to drug seeking involves transient synaptic remodelling that occurs in response to drug-associated cues. This remodelling includes activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to initiate catalytic signalling in the extracellular matrix in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). We hypothesized that MMP activity would be increased in the NAcore during cue-induced methamphetamine (meth) seeking in a rat model of meth use and relapse.

Psychometric properties of the mock interview rating scale for schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.

Background: Over the past 10 years, job interview training has emerged as an area of study among adults with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses who face significant challenges when navigating job interviews. The field of mental health services research has limited access to assessments of job interview skills with rigorously evaluated psychometric properties.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the initial psychometric properties of a measure assessing job interview skills via role-play performance.

Educational interventions to promote sun-protection behaviors in adolescents in the United States: A systematic review.

The most prevalent modifiable risk factor for skin cancer is cumulative lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, supporting the development of interventions promoting the early adoption of sun-protection behaviors. This systematic review summarizes behavioral interventions designed to promote sun-protection behaviors and reduce harmful UV exposure among U.S.

Self-management for sickle cell disease among patients and parents: A qualitative study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore self-management practices among patients and parents of children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: The qualitative descriptive design was employed. The study involved 19 participants comprising adult SCD patients ≥16 years, and nine parents of SCD children ≤ 15 years.

Uncovering temperature-dependent exciton-polariton relaxation mechanisms in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites.

Hybrid perovskites have emerged as a promising material candidate for exciton-polariton (polariton) optoelectronics. Thermodynamically, low-threshold Bose-Einstein condensation requires efficient scattering to the polariton energy dispersion minimum, and many applications demand precise control of polariton interactions. Thus far, the primary mechanisms by which polaritons relax in perovskites remains unclear.

Use of COVIDTests.gov At-Home Test Kits Among Adults in a National Household Probability Sample - United States, 2022.

At-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests were first authorized by the Food and Drug Administration in late 2020 (1-3). In January 2022, the White House launched COVIDTests.gov, which made all U.

The Clinical Resource Hub Initiative: First-Year Implementation of the Veterans Health Administration Regional Telehealth Contingency Staffing Program.

Health care systems face challenges providing accessible health care across geographically disparate sites. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed regional telemedicine service focusing initially on primary care and mental health services. The objective of this study is to describe the program and progress during the early implementation.

Simultaneous Fe/Fe imaging shows Fe over Fe enrichment in Alzheimer's disease mouse brain.

Visualizing redox-active metal ions, such as Fe and Fe ions, are essential for understanding their roles in biological processes and human diseases. Despite the development of imaging probes and techniques, imaging both Fe and Fe simultaneously in living cells with high selectivity and sensitivity has not been reported. Here, we selected and developed DNAzyme-based fluorescent turn-on sensors that are selective for either Fe or Fe, revealing a decreased Fe/Fe ratio during ferroptosis and an increased Fe/Fe ratio in Alzheimer's disease mouse brain.

Pubertal timing and adolescent outcomes: investigating explanations for associations with a genetically informed design.

Background: Psychopathology and risky behaviors increase during adolescence, and understanding which adolescents are most at risk informs prevention and intervention efforts. Pubertal timing relative to same-sex, same-age peers is a known correlate of adolescent outcomes among both boys and girls. However, it remains unclear whether this relation is better explained by a plausible causal process or unobserved familial liability.

Changes in Primary Care Quality Associated With Implementation of the Veterans Health Administration Preventive Health Inventory.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in primary care delivery. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) launched the Preventive Health Inventory (PHI) program-a multicomponent care management intervention, including a clinical dashboard and templated electronic health record note-to support primary care in delivering chronic disease care and preventive care that had been delayed by the pandemic.

Objectives: To describe patient, clinician, and clinic correlates of PHI use in primary care clinics and to examine associations between PHI adoption and clinical quality measures.

Analysis of action planning, achievement and life purpose statements in an intervention to support caregivers of persons with heart failure.

Background: Caregivers of persons living with heart failure (HF) experience uncertainty related to heart failure trajectory and caregiving demands. Caregiver Support is a nurse-led intervention consisting of a well-being assessment, development of a life purpose statement, and action planning related to self-care and support for caregivers.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the caregivers' action plans, action plan achievement and life purpose statements.

Thematic analyses of participant survey responses following dermatology ECHO programs with dermoscopy: Practical tips and lessons learned.

Introduction: Skin cancer is a major public health concern in the United States, reflecting approximately one in every three cancer diagnoses. Despite the high incidence of skin cancer, access to dermatologists is limited, especially in rural areas. Primary care physicians play a pivotal role in the evaluation of skin conditions, but dermatology training gaps exist in primary care training programs.