Effect of immunization registry-based provider reminder to initiate HPV vaccination at age 9, Washington state.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates are lower than Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) rates, although the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends all three vaccines be given routinely at age 11-12. Evidence is mounting that children who initiate HPV vaccination starting at age 9 are more likely to complete the series on time. Washington state implemented a provider reminder through its immunization information system (WAIIS) in January 2023 to increase HPV vaccine initiation at 9-years-old by updating the forecasted recommended age for HPV from age 11 to 9.

Master regulator activity QTL protocol to implicate regulatory pathways potentially mediating GWAS signals using eQTL data.

Here, we present a protocol to identify transcriptional regulators potentially mediating downstream biological effects of germline variants associated with complex traits of interest, which enables functional hypothesis generation independent of colocalizing expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). We describe steps for tissue-/cell-type-specific co-expression network modeling, expression regulator activity inference, and identification of representative phenotypic master regulators. Finally, we detail activity QTL and eQTL analyses.

Mutant polymerases capable of 2' fluoro-modified nucleic acid synthesis and amplification with improved accuracy.

Nonnatural nucleic acids (xeno nucleic acids, XNA) can possess several useful properties such as expanded reactivity and nuclease resistance, which can enhance the utility of DNA as a biotechnological tool. Native DNA polymerases are unable to synthesize XNA, so, in recent years mutant XNA polymerases have been engineered with sufficient activity for use in processes such as PCR. While substantial improvements have been made, accuracy still needs to be increased by orders of magnitude to approach natural error rates and make XNA polymerases useful for applications that require high fidelity.

Analysis of Demographic Characteristics of Users of a Free Tobacco Cessation Smartphone App: Observational Study.

Background: Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of death, disease, and disability in the United States. Since 2000, Washington state has offered free tobacco "quitline" services to help its residents stop using tobacco. In 2015, the state began offering free access to a tobacco cessation smartphone app to absorb excess quitline demand.

Patient-provider discussions about lung cancer screening: Results from the 2012/2013 Kansas Adult Tobacco Survey.

Objective: Prior to the 2013 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for lung cancer screening, the American Cancer Society released interim guidance recommending physicians discuss lung cancer screening with high risk patients. We included a question on patient-provider discussions about lung cancer screening on a statewide population-based survey to establish baseline prevalence for surveillance and to identify subpopulation disparities.

Methods: We analyzed the 2012/2013 Kansas Adult Tobacco Survey to assess patient-provider discussions about lung cancer screening.

Profile of e-cigarette use and its relationship with cigarette quit attempts and abstinence in Kansas adults.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe electronic cigarette use in Kansas adults and its relationship with cigarette cessation.

Methods: The Kansas Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) is a 2012-2013 phone survey of non-institutionalized Kansas adults (N=9656). The ATS was analyzed to create a profile of cigarette and e-cigarette users, and demonstrate associations between e-cigarette use and cigarette cessation attempts and cigarette abstinence.