The predictive validity of MCAT scores and undergraduate GPA for COMLEX-USA licensure exam performance of students enrolled in osteopathic medical schools.

Context: Osteopathic (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO]) medical students account for more than 25 % of all medical students in the United States.

Objectives: This study examined the predictive validity of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) total scores and cumulative undergraduate grade point averages (UGPAs) for performance on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-CE (Cognitive Evaluation) licensure examinations administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). Additionally, the study examined the degree to which MCAT total scores and UGPAs provide comparable prediction of student performance by key sociodemographic variables.

Development of anti-aflatoxin B1 nanobodies from a novel mutagenesis-derived synthetic library for traditional Chinese medicine and foods safety testing.

Background: The main commercially available methods for detecting small molecules of mycotoxins in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and functional foods are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mass spectrometry. Regarding the development of diagnostic antibody reagents, effective methods for the rapid preparation of specific monoclonal antibodies are inadequate.

Methods: In this study, a novel synthetic phage-displayed nanobody Golden Glove (SynaGG) library with a glove-like cavity configuration was established using phage display technology in synthetic biology.

Ethnic differences in the age-related distribution of serum prostate-specific antigen values: A study in a Taiwanese male population.

This study investigates age-specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) distributions in Taiwanese men and recommends reference ranges for this population after comparison with other studies. From January 1999 to December 2016, a total of 213,986 Taiwanese men aged above 19 years old without history of prostate cancer, urinary tract infection, or prostate infection were recruited from the Taiwan MJ cohort, an ongoing prospective cohort of health examinations conducted by the MJ Health Screening Center in Taiwan. Participants were divided into seven age groups.

Comparison of the risks of renal cell carcinoma or urothelial cancer between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Purpose: This study is to compare risks of developing renal cell carcinoma or urothelial cancer between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: The age-, sex-, and index year-matched patients with newly diagnosed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing dialysis [HD (N = 22,587) or PD (N = 11,547)] from 2000 to 2015 in Taiwan were identified. Patients were followed until the development of renal cell carcinoma or urothelial cancer, renal transplantation, death, or the end of follow-up (December 31, 2017).

T Cells Mediate Kidney Tubular Injury via Impaired PDHA1 and Autophagy in Type 1 Diabetes.

Context: Nephropathy is a severe complication of type 1 diabetes (T1DM). However, the interaction between the PDHA1-regulated mechanism and CD4+ T cells in the early stage of kidney tubular injury remains unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the role of PDHA1 in the regulation of tubular cells and CD4+ T cells and further to study its interaction in tubular cell injury in T1DM.

A Concordance Study of COMLEX-USA and USMLE Scores.

Background: Under the single GME accreditation system, residency programs receive applicants from MD- and DO-granting medical schools, each of which have their own set of licensing examinations, making concordance studies increasingly relevant. Previous studies comparing Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores have been limited in sample size and examinee composition and have yielded comparisons that may not be generalizable across all applicants. Some osteopathic medical students take USMLE in addition to COMLEX-USA, often at considerable cost and effort, with the aim of making themselves more desirable to potential residency programs.

Examining concurrent validity between COMLEX-USA Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation and COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation.

Context: The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States of America (COMLEX-USA) is a three level examination used as a pathway to licensure for students in osteopathic medical education programs. COMLEX-USA Level 2 includes a written assessment of Fundamental Clinical Sciences for Osteopathic Medical Practice (Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation [L2-CE]) delivered in a computer based format and separate performance evaluation (Level 2-Performance Evaluation [L2-PE]) administered through live encounters with standardized patients. L2-PE was designed to augment L2-CE.

Meaningful use of COMSAE Phase 1 in preparation for COMLEX-USA Level 1.

Context: The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) is a three level national standardized licensure examination for the practice of osteopathic medicine. The Comprehensive Medical Self Assessment Examination (COMSAE) is a three phase self assessment tool designed to gauge the base knowledge and ability of candidates preparing for COMLEX-USA.

Objectives: To investigate how COMSAE Phase 1 (Phase 1) was used by candidates and how completing Phase 1 impacted their performance on the COMLEX-USA Level 1 (Level 1) examination.

Generation of avian-derived anti-B7-H4 antibodies exerts a blockade effect on the immunosuppressive response.

For highly conserved mammalian protein, chicken is a suitable immune host to generate antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies have been successfully targeted with immunity checkpoint proteins as a means of cancer treatment; this treatment enhances tumor-specific immunity responses through immunoregulation. Studies have identified the importance of B7-H4 in immunoregulation and its use as a potential target for cancer treatment.

CATALYST: Piloting a Longitudinal Assessment and Learning Program for Board Recertification and Continuous Professional Development.

Context: As a proposed alternative to the traditional recertification examination, CATALYST is a longitudinal formative assessment platform created on cognitive learning principles. CATALYST was designed by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners to encourage more complex and durable practice-relevant learning and demonstration of ongoing competencies.

Objective: To investigate the value of the CATALYST platform using board diplomates' subjective feedback and comparison of performance on CATALYST questions with performance on board examinations.

CATALYST: Piloting a Longitudinal Assessment and Learning Program for Board Recertification and Continuous Professional Development.

Context: As a proposed alternative to the traditional recertification examination, CATALYST is a longitudinal formative assessment platform created on cognitive learning principles. CATALYST was designed by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners to encourage more complex and durable practice-relevant learning and demonstration of ongoing competencies.

Objective: To investigate the value of the CATALYST platform using board diplomates' subjective feedback and comparison of performance on CATALYST questions with performance on board examinations.

A Validity Study of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE and COMAT Clinical Subjects: Concurrent and Predictive Evidence.

Background: The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination (COMLEX-USA) Level 2-Cognitive Examination (CE) and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test (COMAT) are administered to similar populations (third- and fourth-year osteopathic students) at similar points in time. Examining the relationship between scores on the 2 assessments that measure similar constructs ultimately supports the validity of both.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence of the concurrent and predictive validity of COMAT and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE.

Increased risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes in people with chronic kidney disease.

Purpose: This study investigated whether people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cohort comprising 16,624 people with CKD, and an age- and sex-matched control cohort of 66,496 persons without any clinical kidney disease were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database during the period of 2000-2010. Both cohorts were followed up to 2011 to evaluate the incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of developing new-onset type 2 diabetes.

Icodextrin is associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Aim: Dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at 1.72-fold increased mortality risk. This study investigated whether peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using icodextrin were at a reduced risk of AF.

Icodextrin is Associated with a Lower Risk of Stroke in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Background/aims: This study investigated whether peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using icodextrin were at a reduced risk of stroke.

Methods: From Taiwan National Health Insurance data, it was found that there were 6,796 new end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis between 2005 and 2011. We compared the risk of stroke between PD patients with or without icodextrin treatment.

RNA-binding protein, human antigen R regulates hypoxia-induced autophagy by targeting ATG7/ATG16L1 expressions and autophagosome formation.

Autophagy, a prosurvival mechanism offers a protective role during acute kidney injury. We show novel findings on the functional role of RNA binding protein, HuR during hypoxia-induced autophagy in renal proximal tubular cells-2 (HK-2). HK-2 cells showed upregulated expressions of HuR and autophagy-related proteins such as autophagy related 7 (ATG7), autophagy related 16 like 1 (ATG16L1), and LC3II under hypoxia.

Radiation-Induced Uterine Carcinosarcoma after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective:  To describe a case of radiation-induced uterine carcinosarcoma 6 years after a cervical squamous cell carcinoma treatment, which imposed some diagnostic and management challenges.

Case Report:  A 57-year-old woman with a history of pelvic chemoradiotherapy ∼ 6.5 years before the event described in this study, following an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB cervical cancer, presented with a cervical mass, involving the uterine cavity, the cervical canal and the upper two thirds of the vagina.

Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Genotypes with the Risk of Bladder Cancer.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) control the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix and their genetic polymorphisms may contribute to cancer susceptibility. The aim of this study was to reveal the genotypes of MMP8 among the Taiwanese and examine the contribution of MMP8 C-799T, Val436Ala and Lys460Thr polymorphisms to bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: MMP8 C-799T, Val436Ala and Lys460Thr polymorphic genotypes were determined in 375 patients with bladder cancer and 375 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology.

An Overview of the Models in Reporting School Data on Dental Credentialing Examinations.

The development and dissemination of meaningful and useful performance reports associated with examinations involved in the licensure process are important to the communities of interest, including state boards, candidates, and professional schools. Discussions of performance reporting have been largely neglected however. The authors recognize and reinforce the need for such discussions by providing prototypes of performance reporting in dentistry with examples and recommendations to guide practice.