Genomic sequencing: the case for equity of care in the era of personalized medicine.

Over the past two decades, genomic sequencing (exome and genome) has proven to be critical in providing a faster and more accurate diagnosis as well as tailored treatment plans for a variety of populations. Despite its potential, disparities in access to genomic sequencing persist, predominantly among underrepresented and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and populations. This inequity stems from factors such as: 1) high costs of sequencing, 2) significant gaps in insurance coverage, 3) limited availability of genetic services in many healthcare institutions and geographic areas, and 4) lack of diversity in genetic research and databases.

Degradation rates and ageing effects of UV on tyre and road wear particles.

Tyre and road wear particles (TRWPs) are estimated to be the largest source of microplastics in the environment and due to the intrinsic use of tyres in our society this will continue to grow. Understanding their degradation mechanisms and subsequent accumulation over time is important to gain insights into the fate and impact of these particles in the environment. Accelerated UV-ageing was performed on cryomilled tyre tread particles and TRWPs from a road simulator to investigate the abiotic degradation of rubber.

A perinatal psychiatry access program to address rural and medically underserved populations using telemedicine.

Background: Although highly prevalent, most perinatal mental health and substance use disorders often go unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs have emerged as a successful model to increase the capacity of front-line maternal health care providers to address perinatal mental health conditions through education, consultation, and increased resources and referrals.

Methods: This model has been adapted in South Carolina to include direct access to mental health treatment in response to inadequate maternity care and mental health services, including a large proportion of rural, Medically Underserved Areas in Primary Care and Mental Health Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas throughout the state.

A multi-modal computational fluid dynamics model of left atrial fibrillation haemodynamics validated with 4D flow MRI.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by rapid and irregular contraction of the left atrium (LA). Impacting LA haemodynamics, this increases the risk of thrombi development and stroke. Flow conditions preceding stroke in these patients are not well defined, partly due the limited resolution of 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Impact of alternative diagnostic labels for melanoma in situ on management choices and psychological outcomes: protocol for an online randomised study.

Introduction: A diagnosis of melanoma in situ presents negligible risk to a person's lifespan or physical well-being, but existing terminology makes it difficult for patients to distinguish these from higher risk invasive melanomas. This study aims to explore whether using an alternative label for melanoma in situ may influence patients' management choices and anxiety levels.

Methods And Analysis: This study is a between-subjects randomised online experiment, using hypothetical scenarios.

Perspectives of clinicians and screening candidates on shared decision-making in prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: a qualitative study (PROSHADE study).

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the perspectives of screening candidates and healthcare professionals on shared decision-making (SDM) in prostate cancer (PCa) screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

Design: Descriptive qualitative study (May-December 2022): six face-to-face focus groups and four semistructured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti software.

Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 Promotes Contraction in Human Uterine Myometrium.

Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) is a secreted zinc-dependent peptidase known for extracellular remodeling. MMP9 is elevated in tissues from women experiencing preterm labor, and previous research has shown that the addition of combined matrix metallopeptidases 2 and 9 (MMP2/9) enhances uterine contractions. We hypothesized that adding MMP9 alone would enhance myometrial contractions and that specific MMP9 inhibition would suppress uterine contractions.

Meta-analyses reveal climate change impacts on an ecologically and economically significant oyster in Australia.

Global oceans are warming and acidifying because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions that are anticipated to have cascading impacts on marine ecosystems and organisms, especially those essential for biodiversity and food security. Despite this concern, there remains some skepticism about the reproducibility and reliability of research done to predict future climate change impacts on marine organisms. Here, we present meta-analyses of over two decades of research on the climate change impacts on an ecologically and economically valuable Sydney rock oyster, .

Influence of Experience, Training Frequency, and Sex on Climbing-Specific Grip Force in Rock Climbers of Varying Skill Level.

Rock climbing is a growing sport at both professional and recreational levels. Rock climbing requires specific hand positions with high force outputs to adapt to changing terrain requirements. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between years of climbing experience, the frequency of training, and skill level on force production in 2 different climbing-specific hand positions.

Engraft: A Collaborative Learning Health Network for Enhanced Transplant and Cellular Therapy Outcomes.

The Engraft Learning Health Network (LHN) aims to improve outcomes for patients undergoing transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) through a collaborative, data-driven approach. Engraft brings together diverse stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, caregivers, and institutions, to standardize best practices and accelerate the dissemination of innovations in TCT care. By establishing a multicenter, real-world clinical registry focused on rapid-cycle quality improvement (QI) and implementation research, Engraft seeks to reduce variability in clinical practice to improve TCT outcomes across centers.

The Role of Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in the Treatment and Regulation of Nausea and Vomiting.

Despite using the recommended anti-emetic treatments, control of nausea and vomiting is still an unmet need for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Few properly controlled clinical trials have evaluated the potential of exogenously administered cannabinoids or manipulations of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system to treat nausea and vomiting. In this chapter, we explore the pre-clinical and human clinical trial evidence for the potential of exogenous cannabinoids and manipulations of the eCB system to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Low pH Means More Female Offspring: A Multigenerational Plasticity in the Sex Ratio of Marine Bivalves.

Global changes can profoundly affect the sex determination and reproductive output of marine organisms, disrupting the population structure and ecosystems. High COdriven low pH in the context of ocean acidification (OA) has been shown to severely affect various calcifiers, but less is known about the extent to which low pH influences sex determination and reproduction of marine organisms, particularly mollusks. This study is the first to report a biased sex ratio over multiple generations toward females, driven by exposure to high CO-induced low pH environments, using the ecologically and economically important Portuguese oyster () as a model.

Structure of the bacteriophage 80α neck shows the interactions between DNA, tail completion protein and tape measure protein.

Tailed bacteriophages with double-stranded DNA genomes (class ) play an important role in the evolution of bacterial pathogenicity, both as carriers of genes encoding virulence factors and as the main means of horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in many bacteria, such as . The pathogenicity islands (SaPIs), including SaPI1, are a type of MGEs are that carry a variable complement of genes encoding virulence factors. SaPI1 is mobilized at high frequency by "helper" bacteriophages, such as 80α, leading to packaging of the SaPI1 genome into virions made from structural proteins supplied by the helper.

AI-powered fraud and the erosion of online survey integrity: an analysis of 31 fraud detection strategies.

The proliferation of AI-powered bots and sophisticated fraudsters poses a significant threat to the integrity of scientific studies reliant on online surveys across diverse disciplines, including health, social, environmental and political sciences. We found a substantial decline in usable responses from online surveys from 75 to 10% in recent years due to survey fraud. Monetary incentives attract sophisticated fraudsters capable of mimicking genuine open-ended responses and verifying information submitted months prior, showcasing the advanced capabilities of online survey fraud today.

Delphi Study on the Contextualization of Recommendations for Promoting Healthy Eating in Urban Settings of Latin America and the Caribbean.

International public health agencies recommend policies to improve diets and promote healthy eating, but implementation often falters due to varying contextual factors across regions. This study evaluates the relevance and applicability of these policies in urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Using the Delphi technique, we convened a panel of 21 experts from 13 LAC countries, representing public policy, research, social action, and healthcare.

Stretch & exercise education improves pain levels in under-resourced collegiate club lacrosse players.

Purpose: Club sports are competitive, intercollegiate athletics that are not affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Club athletes may be at increased risk of injury compared to their NCAA counterparts due to limited resources, such as reduced access to strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers. Research has shown that injury-prevention education, as typically provided by coaches and trainers, can reduce injury rates and promote athlete compliance with safety practices.

The effects of isolated game elements on adherence rates in food response inhibition training.

Food response inhibition training (food-RIT) is found to aid weight loss and reduce snacking of foods high in sugar, salt and fat. However, these interventions suffer from a lack of adherence, with gamification proposed as a solution to increase engagement. The effect of gamification is unclear, however, with a lack of research investigating the effects of single game elements in improving adherence to interventions.

Losses and emissions in polypropylene recycling from household packaging waste.

In this study we replicated a typical high-quality post-consumer polypropylene (PP) recycling process to investigate its losses and emissions and study potential improvements. To our knowledge this is the first time that quantitative measurements on all process steps have been performed instead of an accumulated yield and emissions in water. In the process an overall PP yield of 85 wt% based on pure PP input is achieved.

Firearm Injury Prevention and Survivor Interventions: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: To examine components of firearm injury prevention and survivor response programs, their outcomes, and gaps in this body of research.

Method: A total of 100 publications were identified across four databases: PubMed/Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Scopus. Articles were screened for inclusion in the scoping review and details were extracted into an electronic table for synthesis.

Impact on Appendix K Flexibilities in the NC Innovations Waiver During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 public health emergency com¬pelled NC Medicaid to implement Appendix K flexibilities to change the 1915(c) Home & Community-Based Services Waivers. This paper will examine the impact of these flex¬ibilities and the subsequent decision to sunset them, with a focus on the Innovations Waiver.

Paper mill challenges: past, present, and future.

Paper mills are fraudulent organizations that make money by writing fake manuscripts and offering authorship slots for sale to academic customers. Mill activity differs in scale to individual academic misconduct: many thousands of fake paper mill manuscripts have been successfully published in peer-reviewed journals. Despite this, paper mill activity is still relatively unrecognized outside the publishing industry.

The Positive School Safety Program (PSSP) for School Officers: Implementation Processes and Outcomes.

Approximately 50% of U.S. students attend a school with a school officer.