A structured curriculum supporting biomedical trainees' transition into independent academic positions and early career success.

The United States government makes a substantial investment in biomedical training programs each year. However, for most trainees, these opportunities do not translate into career progression in academic research pathways. Only about one-fifth of postdoctoral fellows eventually secure a tenure-track faculty position, and even among these candidates, attrition is high. Although a number of factors govern career choices and career longevity, the transition from trainee to faculty is a challenging process and requires knowledge and skills that are not necessarily developed during a traditional university experience. Many postdoctoral fellows receive adequate training in research skills and scientific communication, but new faculty report not being sufficiently prepared for the job search process and for starting their labs. To address this critical training gap, the ITERT core (Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training) and the Office of Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center implemented a structured course for both postdoctoral fellows and senior PhD students to provide formalized training for successfully navigating academic positions in biomedical research. Here we report on the pilot Navigating Academic Careers course conducted in 2021-2022 for 30 PhD students and postdocs. The nine-module course was conducted over 13 weeks in 25.5 h instructional sessions. The key educational objectives included 1) navigating the job application and the interview/negotiation process, 2) hiring, leading, and mentoring lab personnel and program support staff, 3) project administration and financial stewardship, 4) managing time and work-life balance and 5) developing collaborations, branding, personalized niche, and networking. Survey-based analysis at the time of the course was used to capture the participants' assessment of the course content, organization, and delivery, with a follow-up survey conducted approximately 2 years post-course (2024) to evaluate longer-term impacts of the training. Initial in-course assessment revealed that 89.9% of respondents found the scope and instructional content appropriate, and 91.1% found the course relevant and applicable to their career needs. Longer-term post-course evaluation indicated that 80% of respondents applied the learnings of the course, that 80% reported feeling more confident in navigating an academic job search, and that 66.6% continued to report agreement with the course preparing them for their current role/ongoing job search, with 46.7% already securing jobs in academic research, including as independent faculty. The outcomes of this pilot course suggest that integrating this into the broader postdoctoral training curriculum can enhance both the transition and early-career success of talented scientists-in-training into working professionals in biomedical careers, as faculty and science-trained staff.

Designing a framework for curriculum building in systematic review competencies for librarians: a case report.

Background: Librarians play an important role on systematic review teams because of their expertise in information organization, database searching, and records management. Many systematic review training opportunities exist, but not all are tailored to the needs of librarians. The Medical Library Association, along with a workgroup of experts on systematic reviews and review services, developed a Systematic Review Services Specialization (SRSS) that was launched in 2022. One of the required courses in the specialization was developed by the authors, who set out to build a value-added curriculum that would provide essential searching skills for librarians working in evidence synthesis domains. Case Presentation: The authors present a case report on creating a framework for developing a new course in the Medical Library Association's Systematic Review Services Specialization. The objectives of the course were intended to align with six systematic review competencies for librarians developed and published by a group of health science librarians from the University of Michigan in 2017, which include 1) conducting a reference interview, 2) performing preliminary searches, 3) selecting appropriate resources to search, 4) building an extensive, comprehensive, and documented search strategy, 5) peer reviewing search strategies, and 6) reporting search methods. With these objectives in mind, the instructors created four separate modules and an activity. Conclusion: Systematic review skills for librarians are essential to many health science library jobs since librarians are considered important collaborators within systematic review teams. Through eleven cohorts of the course held over 2022-2024, the authors constructed and delivered a comprehensive curriculum.

The social vulnerability index as a risk stratification tool for health disparity research in cancer patients: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: The social vulnerability index (SVI), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a novel composite measure encompassing multiple variables that correspond to key social determinants of health. The objective of this review was to investigate innovative applications of the SVI to oncology research and to employ the framework of the cancer care continuum to elucidate further research opportunities. METHODS: A systematic search for relevant articles was performed in five databases from inception to 13 May 2022. Included studies applied the SVI to analyze outcomes in cancer patients. Study characteristics, patent populations, data sources, and outcomes were extracted from each article. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 31 studies were included. Along the cancer care continuum, five applied the SVI to examine geographic disparities in potentially cancer-causing exposures; seven in cancer diagnosis; fourteen in cancer treatment; nine in treatment recovery; one in survivorship care; and two in end-of-life care. Fifteen examined disparities in mortality. CONCLUSION: In highlighting place-based disparities in patient outcomes, the SVI represents a promising tool for future oncology research. As a reliable geocoded dataset, the SVI may inform the development and implementation of targeted interventions to prevent cancer morbidity and mortality at the neighborhood level.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from dormitory buildings in a university campus: comparison with individual testing results.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for monitoring COVID-19 has been largely used to detect the spread of the disease at the community level. From February to December 2022, we collected 24-h composite sewage samples from dormitory buildings in George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia, USA) housing approximately 5,200 resident students. SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction was achieved using an automated system based on magnetic nanoparticles. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was performed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) N1 and N2 assays. From the 362 samples collected, 86% showed positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater monitoring was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 96% of the samples from buildings housing students with COVID-19. Over the period of study, we observed significant correlations between the SARS-CoV-2 concentration (copy number mL-1) in wastewater and the number of positive cases on campus based on individual saliva testing. Although several reports have been published on the wastewater monitoring of COVID-19 in university campuses, our study is one of the very few that provides results that were obtained during the last phase of the pandemic (roughly the year 2022), when the large majority of students were vaccinated and back on campus.

Sensitivity and Specificity for Skin Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Providers: a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of Educational Interventions and Diagnostic Algorithms.

BACKGROUND: In areas without convenient access to dermatology care, primary care providers (PCPs) serve as an important patient resource for early skin cancer detection. To determine the most effective strategy for skin cancer detection training in PCPs, we conducted a systematic review of educational interventions and performed a meta-analysis on sensitivity and specificity outcomes in PCPs. OBJECTIVES: To summarize data on skin cancer sensitivity and specificity outcomes for PCP-targeted training programs and diagnostic algorithms. Our PCP cohort included practicing physicians, trainee physicians, and advanced practice practitioners. METHODS: A literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant English-language articles published worldwide from 2000 onward. Results were screened for eligibility, and overlapping datasets were reconciled. Data extracted included the educational intervention, diagnostic algorithm, and outcomes of interest (sensitivity and specificity). Outcomes were pooled across interventions that taught the same diagnostic algorithm. A bivariate model was fit to compare different interventions/algorithms. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 21 articles were included in this review, encompassing over 58,610 assessments of skin lesions by about 1529 participants worldwide. Training programs that implemented the triage-amalgamated dermoscopic algorithm (TADA) demonstrated high pooled sensitivity (91.7%) and high pooled specificity (81.4%) among PCPs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Overall, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that dermoscopy training in PCPs was generally associated with gains in skin cancer sensitivity without loss of specificity. Clinically, this correlates with fewer skin cancers overlooked by PCPs and fewer excisions of benign lesions.

The New Media Landscape and Its Effects on Skin Cancer Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Prevention: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The wide availability of web-based sources, including social media (SM), has supported rapid, widespread dissemination of health information. This dissemination can be an asset during public health emergencies; however, it can also present challenges when the information is inaccurate or ill-informed. Of interest, many SM sources discuss cancer, specifically cutaneous melanoma and keratinocyte cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma). OBJECTIVE: Through a comprehensive and scoping review of the literature, this study aims to gain an actionable perspective of the state of SM information regarding skin cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and prevention. METHODS: We performed a scoping literature review to establish the relationship between SM and skin cancer. A literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus from January 2000 to June 2023. The included studies discussed SM and its relationship to and effect on skin cancer. RESULTS: Through the search, 1009 abstracts were initially identified, 188 received full-text review, and 112 met inclusion criteria. The included studies were divided into 7 groupings based on a publication's primary objective: misinformation (n=40, 36%), prevention campaign (n=19, 17%), engagement (n=16, 14%), research (n=12, 11%), education (n=11, 10%), demographics (n=10, 9%), and patient support (n=4, 3%), which were the most common identified themes. CONCLUSIONS: Through this review, we gained a better understanding of the SM environment addressing skin cancer information, and we gained insight into the best practices by which SM could be used to positively influence the health care information ecosystem.

Retrospective operationalization of allostatic load in patients with cancer: A systematic review.

Allostatic load (AL) has been shown to impact cancer outcomes. At present, no gold standard exists surrounding AL computation. As such, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies that retrospectively calculated AL in patients with cancer. The following variables were collected for each study: AL calculation method, including the biomarkers used and their cutoff values, number of biosystems represented, definition of high AL, and the use of proxy biomarkers. Thirteen articles were included for full-text review. The number of biomarkers used in the calculation of AL varied considerably, ranging from 6 to 16. Considerable variability was also observed in terms of utilized biomarkers and biosystem representation. This lack of standardization complicates retrospective AL calculation among patients with cancer. Nonetheless, determining AL in patients with cancer presents an important step in the optimization of patient care and outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence Uncertainty Quantification in Radiotherapy Applications - A Scoping Review.

Background/purpose: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy (RT) is expanding rapidly. However, there exists a notable lack of clinician trust in AI models, underscoring the need for effective uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods. The purpose of this study was to scope existing literature related to UQ in RT, identify areas of improvement, and determine future directions. Methods: We followed the PRISMA-ScR scoping review reporting guidelines. We utilized the population (human cancer patients), concept (utilization of AI UQ), context (radiotherapy applications) framework to structure our search and screening process. We conducted a systematic search spanning seven databases, supplemented by manual curation, up to January 2024. Our search yielded a total of 8980 articles for initial review. Manuscript screening and data extraction was performed in Covidence. Data extraction categories included general study characteristics, RT characteristics, AI characteristics, and UQ characteristics. Results: We identified 56 articles published from 2015-2024. 10 domains of RT applications were represented; most studies evaluated auto-contouring (50%), followed by image-synthesis (13%), and multiple applications simultaneously (11%). 12 disease sites were represented, with head and neck cancer being the most common disease site independent of application space (32%). Imaging data was used in 91% of studies, while only 13% incorporated RT dose information. Most studies focused on failure detection as the main application of UQ (60%), with Monte Carlo dropout being the most commonly implemented UQ method (32%) followed by ensembling (16%). 55% of studies did not share code or datasets. Conclusion: Our review revealed a lack of diversity in UQ for RT applications beyond auto-contouring. Moreover, there was a clear need to study additional UQ methods, such as conformal prediction. Our results may incentivize the development of guidelines for reporting and implementation of UQ in RT.

Artificial intelligence uncertainty quantification in radiotherapy applications - A scoping review.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy (RT) is expanding rapidly. However, there exists a notable lack of clinician trust in AI models, underscoring the need for effective uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods. The purpose of this study was to scope existing literature related to UQ in RT, identify areas of improvement, and determine future directions. METHODS: We followed the PRISMA-ScR scoping review reporting guidelines. We utilized the population (human cancer patients), concept (utilization of AI UQ), context (radiotherapy applications) framework to structure our search and screening process. We conducted a systematic search spanning seven databases, supplemented by manual curation, up to January 2024. Our search yielded a total of 8980 articles for initial review. Manuscript screening and data extraction was performed in Covidence. Data extraction categories included general study characteristics, RT characteristics, AI characteristics, and UQ characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 56 articles published from 2015 to 2024. 10 domains of RT applications were represented; most studies evaluated auto-contouring (50 %), followed by image-synthesis (13 %), and multiple applications simultaneously (11 %). 12 disease sites were represented, with head and neck cancer being the most common disease site independent of application space (32 %). Imaging data was used in 91 % of studies, while only 13 % incorporated RT dose information. Most studies focused on failure detection as the main application of UQ (60 %), with Monte Carlo dropout being the most commonly implemented UQ method (32 %) followed by ensembling (16 %). 55 % of studies did not share code or datasets. CONCLUSION: Our review revealed a lack of diversity in UQ for RT applications beyond auto-contouring. Moreover, we identified a clear need to study additional UQ methods, such as conformal prediction. Our results may incentivize the development of guidelines for reporting and implementation of UQ in RT.

A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative studies evaluating provider, patient, and health care system-related barriers to diagnostic skin cancer examinations.

Melanoma-screening examinations support early diagnosis, yet there is a national shortage of dermatologists and most at-risk patients lack access to dermatologic care. Primary care physicians (PCPs) in the United States often bridge these access gaps, and thus, play a critical role in the early detection of melanoma. However, most PCPs do not offer skin examinations. We conducted a systematic review and searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from 1946 to July 2019 to identify barriers for skin screening by providers, patients, and health systems following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Of 650 abstracts initially identified, 111 publications were included for full-text review and 48 studies met the inclusion criteria. Lack of dermatologic training (89.4%), time constraints (70%), and competing comorbidities (51%) are the most common barriers reported by PCPs. Low perceived risk (69%), long delays in appointment (46%), and lack of knowledge about melanoma (34.8%) are most frequently reported patient barriers. Qualitative reported barriers for health system are lack of public awareness, social prejudice leading to tanning booth usage, public surveillance programs requiring intensive resources, and widespread ABCD evaluation causing delays in seeking medical attention for melanomas. Numerous barriers remain that prevent the implementation of skin screening practices in clinical practice. A multi-faceted combination of efforts is essential for the execution of acceptable and effective skin cancer-screening practices, thus, increasing early diagnosis and lowering mortality rates and burden of disease for melanoma.

Interventional Pain Management for the Pediatric Cancer Patient: A Literature Review.

This literature review examines the use of interventional treatments for pain management in pediatric cancer patients. While interventional procedures may be effective in cancer pain management, these procedures are infrequently employed in pediatric cohorts. This underutilization of interventional procedures may be supported by a deficit in randomized, controlled studies and literature regarding their role in pediatric cancer populations. Particularly because literature on the efficacy of interventional treatments in adult populations may not directly translate to pediatric populations, more research about the role of interventional procedures in managing pediatric cancer pain is necessary for a strengthened understanding of pediatric cancer pain treatment.

COVID-19 observations and accompanying dataset of non-pharmaceutical interventions across U.S. universities, March 2020.

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) guidance for specific institutional audiences to limit community spread. Audiences include: business, clinical, public health, education, community, and state/local government. The swift, severe, and global nature of COVID-19 offers an opportunity to systematically obtain a national view of how larger institutions of higher education adopted NPI guidance at the onset of the pandemic. METHOD: An original database of COVID-19-related university NPI policy changes was compiled. Survey team members manually combed university websites and official statements capturing implementation decisions and dates for five NPI variables from 575 U.S. universities, across 50 states and the District of Columbia, during March of 2020. The universities included in this study were selected from the Department of Education Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which provides a set of university explanatory variables. Using IPEDS as the basis for the organizational data allows consistent mapping to event-time and institutional characteristic variables including public health announcements, geospatial, census, and political affiliation. RESULTS: The dataset enables event-time analysis and offers a variety of variables to support institutional level study and identification of underlying biases like educational attainment. A descriptive analysis of the dataset reveals that there was substantial heterogeneity in the decisions that were made and the timing of these decisions as they temporally related to key state, national, and global emergency announcements. The WHO pandemic declaration coincided with the largest number of university decisions to implement NPIs. CONCLUSION: This study provides descriptive observations and produced an original dataset that will be useful for future research focused on drivers and trends of COVID-19 NPIs for U.S. Universities. This preliminary analysis suggests COVID-19 university decisions appeared to be made largely at the university level, leading to major variations in the nature and timing of the responses both between and within states, which requires further study.

Magmatic evolution of Panama Canal volcanic rocks: A record of arc processes and tectonic change.

Volcanic rocks along the Panama Canal present a world-class opportunity to examine the relationship between arc magmatism, tectonic forcing, wet and dry magmas, and volcanic structures. Major and trace element geochemistry of Canal volcanic rocks indicate a significant petrologic transition at 21-25 Ma. Oligocene Bas Obispo Fm. rocks have large negative Nb-Ta anomalies, low HREE, fluid mobile element enrichments, a THI of 0.88, and a H2Ocalc of >3 wt. %. In contrast, the Miocene Pedro Miguel and Late Basalt Fm. exhibit reduced Nb-Ta anomalies, flattened REE curves, depleted fluid mobile elements, a THI of 1.45, a H2Ocalc of <1 wt. %, and plot in mid-ocean ridge/back-arc basin fields. Geochemical modeling of Miocene rocks indicates 0.5-0.1 kbar crystallization depths of hot (1100-1190°C) magmas in which most compositional diversity can be explained by fractional crystallization (F = 0.5). However, the most silicic lavas (Las Cascadas Fm.) require an additional mechanism, and assimilation-fractional-crystallization can reproduce observed compositions at reasonable melt fractions. The Canal volcanic rocks, therefore, change from hydrous basaltic pyroclastic deposits typical of mantle-wedge-derived magmas, to hot, dry bi-modal magmatism at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. We suggest the primary reason for the change is onset of arc perpendicular extension localized to central Panama. High-resolution mapping along the Panama Canal has revealed a sequence of inward dipping maar-diatreme pyroclastic pipes, large basaltic sills, and bedded silicic ignimbrites and tuff deposits. These volcanic bodies intrude into the sedimentary Canal Basin and are cut by normal and subsequently strike-slip faults. Such pyroclastic pipes and basaltic sills are most common in extensional arc and large igneous province environments. Overall, the change in volcanic edifice form and geochemistry are related to onset of arc perpendicular extension, and are consistent with the idea that Panama arc crust fractured during collision with South America forming the observed Canal extensional zone.

Formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

The formation of the Isthmus of Panama stands as one of the greatest natural events of the Cenozoic, driving profound biotic transformations on land and in the oceans. Some recent studies suggest that the Isthmus formed many millions of years earlier than the widely recognized age of approximately 3 million years ago (Ma), a result that if true would revolutionize our understanding of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary change across the Americas. To bring clarity to the question of when the Isthmus of Panama formed, we provide an exhaustive review and reanalysis of geological, paleontological, and molecular records. These independent lines of evidence converge upon a cohesive narrative of gradually emerging land and constricting seaways, with formation of the Isthmus of Panama sensu stricto around 2.8 Ma. The evidence used to support an older isthmus is inconclusive, and we caution against the uncritical acceptance of an isthmus before the Pliocene.

Statewide simulation systems: the next step for anesthesiology?

Statewide simulation networks afford not only the possibility of meeting capacity needs for anesthesiologists, but also provide a venue for training trainers, setting standards, and bringing academic and nonacademic practices together. Furthermore, a statewide network that is appropriately designed opens the door to interdisciplinary activity. Oregon is the first state to implement simulation education across disciplines throughout the state. The model provides an example of how simulation can be successfully applied across a large and diverse area. The article details the benefits of statewide simulation networks, discusses challenges to implementing such networks, and describes Oregon's statewide efforts.