Beyond the 405 and the 5: Geographic Variations and Factors Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Positivity Rates in Los Angeles County.

BACKGROUND: To highlight geographic differences and the socio-structural determinants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test positivity within Los Angeles County (LAC). METHODS: A geographic information system was used to integrate, map, and analyze SARS-CoV-2 testing data reported by the LAC Department of Public Health and data from the American Community Survey. Structural determinants included race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance status, education, and population and household density. We examined which factors were associated with positivity rates, using a 5% test positivity threshold, with spatial analysis and spatial regression. RESULTS: Between 1 March and 30 June 2020 there were 843 440 SARS-CoV-2 tests and 86 383 diagnoses reported, for an overall positivity rate of 10.2% within the study area. Communities with high proportions of Latino/a residents, those living below the federal poverty line, and with high household densities had higher crude positivity rates. Age- adjusted diagnosis rates were significantly associated with the proportion of Latino/as, individuals living below the poverty line, and population and household density. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant local variations in test positivity within LAC and several socio-structural determinants contribute to ongoing disparities. Public health interventions, beyond shelter in place, are needed to address and target such disparities.

Directing Research Toward Health Equity: a Health Equity Research Impact Assessment.

Despite medical research advancements, inequities persist, as research has enhanced the health of some while leaving many communities untouched. Reforms are needed to direct research toward health equity, both during this pandemic and beyond. All research must currently pass scientific and ethical review processes, but neither may adequately examine a project's potential impact on inequities and local communities. Research stakeholders need practical tools to help review and examine any given study's impact on health equity. We articulate a health equity research impact assessment, which draws from existing research impact assessments and health disparities research measures and frameworks. We describe how this tool was developed and how it may be used by research reviewers, researchers, academic institutions, and funding agencies to elevate health equity in medical science.

Observing Alcohol Myopia in the Context of a Trauma Film Paradigm: Differential Recall of Central and Peripheral Details.

BACKGROUND: A major tenet of the alcohol myopia model is that intoxication results in a narrowing of attention to the most central environmental cues, at the cost of more peripheral information. Though long hypothesized, no known study of alcohol myopia has demonstrated differential immediate recall of central and peripheral cues using a standardized task. To address this gap, we conducted an alcohol administration study with a clear, standardized focus-a trauma film. METHODS: Ninety-eight female social drinkers completed self-report measures, and then were randomized to consume a placebo beverage, a low dose of alcohol (mean breath alcohol concentration [BrAC] = 0.04%), or a high dose of alcohol (mean BrAC = 0.11%). Participants then moved to a staged room where they viewed a film clip depicting a sexual assault. After leaving the room, participants completed a written free recall task of the film and the room. RESULTS: The distinction between recall of central and peripheral details was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Consistent with the alcohol myopia model, relative to placebo, a high dose of alcohol led to impaired recall of peripheral (but not central) details. Although the interaction between BrAC and information type (central vs. peripheral) was not statistically significant, simple effects revealed a strong association between BrAC and peripheral information, and no association between BrAC and central information. Bolstering myopia as an explanation for our findings, neither central nor peripheral information correlated with self-reported tendencies to dissociate or distract oneself, or typical alcohol consumption or expectancies. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol myopia can be observed through an immediate free recall task following a stressful film. Additional research is needed to continue evaluating dose-dependent differential recall in larger samples. This task may be useful for clarifying the role of alcohol myopia in clinical phenomena, such as aggressive behavior and processing traumatic events.

Year-End Clinic Handoffs: A National Survey of Academic Internal Medicine Programs.

BACKGROUND: While there has been increasing emphasis and innovation nationwide in training residents in inpatient handoffs, very little is known about the practice and preparation for year-end clinic handoffs of residency outpatient continuity practices. Thus, the latter remains an identified, yet nationally unaddressed, patient safety concern. OBJECTIVES: The 2014 annual Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) survey included seven items for assessing the current year-end clinic handoff practices of internal medicine residency programs throughout the country. DESIGN: Nationwide survey. PARTICIPANTS: All internal medicine program directors registered with APDIM. MAIN MEASURES: Descriptive statistics of programs and tools used to formulate a year-end handoff in the ambulatory setting, methods for evaluating the process, patient safety and quality measures incorporated within the process, and barriers to conducting year-end handoffs. KEY RESULTS: Of the 361 APDIM member programs, 214 (59%) completed the Transitions of Care Year-End Clinic Handoffs section of the survey. Only 34% of respondent programs reported having a year-end ambulatory handoff system, and 4% reported assessing residents for competency in this area. The top three barriers to developing a year-end handoff system were insufficient overlap between graduating and incoming residents, inability to schedule patients with new residents in advance, and time constraints for residents, attendings, and support staff. CONCLUSIONS: Most internal medicine programs do not have a year-end clinic handoff system in place. Greater attention to clinic handoffs and resident assessment of this care transition is needed.

The Amphimedon queenslandica genome and the evolution of animal complexity.

Sponges are an ancient group of animals that diverged from other metazoans over 600 million years ago. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Amphimedon queenslandica, a demosponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and show that it is remarkably similar to other animal genomes in content, structure and organization. Comparative analysis enabled by the sequencing of the sponge genome reveals genomic events linked to the origin and early evolution of animals, including the appearance, expansion and diversification of pan-metazoan transcription factor, signalling pathway and structural genes. This diverse 'toolkit' of genes correlates with critical aspects of all metazoan body plans, and comprises cell cycle control and growth, development, somatic- and germ-cell specification, cell adhesion, innate immunity and allorecognition. Notably, many of the genes associated with the emergence of animals are also implicated in cancer, which arises from defects in basic processes associated with metazoan multicellularity.

Development of a structured year-end sign-out program in an outpatient continuity practice.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to prevent medical errors, it has been recommended that all healthcare organizations implement a standardized approach to communicating patient information during transitions of care between providers. Most research on these transitions has been conducted in the inpatient setting, with relatively few studies conducted in the outpatient setting. OBJECTIVES: To develop a structured transfer of care program in an academic outpatient continuity practice and evaluate whether this program improved patient safety as measured by the documented completion of patient care tasks at 3 months post-transition. DESIGN: Graduating residents and the corresponding incoming interns inheriting their continuity patient panels were randomized to the pilot structured transfer group or the standard transfer group. The structured transfer group residents were asked to complete written and verbal sign-outs with their interns; the standard transfer group residents continued the current standard of care. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two resident-intern pairs in an academic internal medicine residency program in New York City. MAIN MEASURES: Three months after the transition, study investigators evaluated whether patient care tasks assigned by the graduating residents had been successfully completed by the interns in both groups. In addition, follow-up appointments, continuity of care and house officer satisfaction with the sign-out process were evaluated. KEY RESULTS: Among patients seen during the first 3 months, the clinical care tasks were more likely to be completed by interns in the structured group (73 %, n = 49) versus the standard group (46 %, n = 28) (adjusted OR 3.21; 95 % CI 1.55-6.62; p = 0.002). This was further enhanced if the intern who saw the patient was also the assigned primary care provider (adjusted OR 4.26; 95 % CI 1.7-10.63; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A structured outpatient sign-out improved the odds of follow-up of important clinical care tasks after the year-end resident clinic transition. Further efforts should be made to improve residents' competency with regard to sign-outs in the ambulatory setting.

A simplified methodology for the activation of organic charcoal.

One in three people globally are challenged to live on hazardous, unsanitary water, and this relates to higher risks of death and development of diseases. According to scientific research, activated charcoal can be used to clean water contaminants to help make water safer.•Carbonization: this study demonstrates an inexpensive method of producing activated charcoal that can be performed in any setting using locally available biomass materials.•Activation: thermal air oxidation between moderate temperatures of 450-550 °C. Our data indicate that this technique produces charcoal with an adsorptive capacity near to that of commercial-grade charcoal as demonstrated by spectrophotometric analysis. This simple approach to charcoal activation may benefit rural communities where sources of sanitary water are low or nonexistent.

Host suitability affects odor association in Cotesia marginiventris: implications in generalist parasitoid host-finding.

Insect herbivores often induce plant volatile compounds that can attract natural enemies. Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a generalist parasitoid wasp of noctuid caterpillars and is highly attracted to Spodoptera exigua-induced plant volatiles. The plasticity of C. marginiventris associative learning to volatile blends of various stimuli, such as host presence, also has been shown, but little is known about how this generalist parasitoid distinguishes between host species of varying suitability. Spodoptera exigua is an excellent host that yields high parasitoid emergence, while Trichoplusia ni serves as a sub-optimal host species due to high pre-imaginal wasp mortality. We have found that S. exigua and T. ni induce different volatile blends while feeding on cotton. Here, wind tunnel flight assays were used to determine the importance of differentially induced volatiles in host-finding by C. marginiventris. We found that, while this generalist parasitoid wasp can distinguish between the two discrete volatile blends when presented concurrently, a positive oviposition experience on the preferred host species (S. exigua) is more important than host-specific volatile cues in eliciting flight behavior towards plants damaged by either host species. Furthermore, wasps with oviposition experience on both host species did not exhibit a deterioration in positive flight behavior, suggesting that oviposition in the sub-optimal host species (T. ni) does not cause aversive odor association.

Taking the VITALS to Interrupt Microaggressions.

INTRODUCTION: Microaggressions are subtle statements or actions that reinforce stereotypes. Medical students, residents, and faculty report experiences of microaggressions, with higher incidences among women and marginalized groups. An educational tool utilizing the acronym VITALS (validate, inquire, take time, assume, leave opportunities, speak up) provided a framework for processing and addressing microaggressions encountered in the academic health center environment. METHODS: We developed a 60-minute workshop designed to raise awareness of microaggressions encountered by medical students and trainees. The workshop consisted of a didactic presentation and multiple interactive exercises shared in small- and large-group formats. Participants also completed pre- and postsurvey instruments to assess changes in their knowledge and attitudes about promoting an environment that prevents microaggressions from occurring. RESULTS: There were 176 participants who completed our workshop. In comparing anonymized pre- and postworkshop responses submitted by attendees, an increase in recognition of one's own potential stereotypical beliefs about social identity groups was observed. Participants also expressed a greater sense of empowerment to foster mutual respect in health care settings. After completing the workshop, attendees indicated a greater likelihood to engage in difficult conversations, including responding to microaggressions, which both peers and superiors encountered in both academic and clinical environments. DISCUSSION: The workshop provided an interactive format for medical students and trainees to gain awareness, knowledge, and tools for addressing microaggressions encountered in health care settings.

Micronutrient Deficiency as a Confounder in Ascertaining the Role of Obesity in Severe COVID-19 Infection.

Food insecurity in the United States has been exacerbated due to the socioeconomic strain of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Populations experiencing poverty and, as a consequence, food insecurity in the United States are disproportionately affected by obesity, which was identified early in the pandemic as a major risk factor for increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and mortality. Given the focus on obesity and its role in immune dysregulation, it is also important to note the role of micronutrient deficiency, another sequalae of food insecurity. Micronutrients play an important role in the ability of the immune system to mount an appropriate response. Moreover, OBESE individuals are more likely to be micronutrient deficient. This review will explore the role of micronutrients, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc in respiratory immunity and COVID-19 and how micronutrient deficiency may be a possible confounder in obesity's association with severe outcomes. By illuminating the role of micronutrients in COVID-19, this paper expands the discussion from food insecurity and obesity to include micronutrient deficiency and how all of these interact in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.

For us by us: Instituting mentorship models that credit minoritized medical faculty expertise and lived experience.

The woefully low proportion of scientists and clinicians underrepresented in medicine (UIM), including members of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities, is well characterized and documented. Diversity in medicine is not only just, but it improves quality and outcomes. Yet, diversity in academic medicine remains stagnant, despite national recognition and urgent calls to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across health sciences. One strategy that has shown to improve diversity in many sectors is high quality mentoring. While many institutions have adopted mentoring programs, there remains a lack of mentorship that is equitable, individualized, and sets a clear timeline for academic milestones that will position UIM mentees at the optimal trajectory for promotion and retention. A barrier to assembling these programs is the small number of UIM among the senior faculty ranks who are able to serve in this role, given the disproportionate burden to serve on a multitude of academic committees, task forces, and workgroups to fulfill institutional mandates to diversify representation. These time-consuming services, documented in the literature as the "minority tax," are generally uncompensated and unaccounted for in terms of consideration for promotion, leadership positions, and other measures of career advancement. The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Academic Mentors (JAM) Council represents a novel, culturally responsive, and anti-racist approach to achieve a more equitable and inclusive institutional environment. This approach strategically leverages the intergenerational wisdom and experience of senior UIM faculty via time-protected effort with the overall goals of improving rates of promotion, retention, and career satisfaction of early career UIM colleagues. This community case study describes the rationale, resources needed, processes, and proposed workflow required to launch the JAM Council, as well as the major roles and responsibilities for JAM mentors and mentees, which may be considered by academic medical centers focused on improving diversity among the faculty ranks.

Health inequities and the inappropriate use of race in nephrology.

Chronic kidney disease is an important clinical condition beset with racial and ethnic disparities that are associated with social inequities. Many medical schools and health centres across the USA have raised concerns about the use of race - a socio-political construct that mediates the effect of structural racism - as a fixed, measurable biological variable in the assessment of kidney disease. We discuss the role of race and racism in medicine and outline many of the concerns that have been raised by the medical and social justice communities regarding the use of race in estimated glomerular filtration rate equations, including its relationship with structural racism and racial inequities. Although race can be used to identify populations who experience racism and subsequent differential treatment, ignoring the biological and social heterogeneity within any racial group and inferring innate individual-level attributes is methodologically flawed. Therefore, although more accurate measures for estimating kidney function are under investigation, we support the use of biomarkers for determining estimated glomerular filtration rate without adjustments for race. Clinicians have a duty to recognize and elucidate the nuances of racism and its effects on health and disease. Otherwise, we risk perpetuating historical racist concepts in medicine that exacerbate health inequities and impact marginalized patient populations.

Tuskegee as a History Lesson, Tuskegee as Metaphor: Addressing Discrimination as a Social Determinant of Health in the Classroom.

While basic science and social medicine are fundamental to the practice of medicine, the former is often prioritized in preclinical medical education at the expense of the latter. In this perspective, we discuss ways to introduce the concept of interpersonal, institutional, and structural discrimination as social determinants of health (SDOH) into a preclinical microbiology and infectious diseases medical course. We offer 5 specific steps to creating a comprehensive curriculum on discrimination as a social determinant of health: define and use standardized terminology; integrate the concept of SDOH throughout the course; encourage critical appraisal of lay and medical resources; encourage student feedback; and provide faculty development supported by key faculty stakeholders that focuses on increasing comfort and facility with teaching such concepts. This approach offers a template for ongoing discussion in the setting of curricular reform.

Cell signaling dependence of rapid glucocorticoid-induced endocannabinoid synthesis in hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells.

Glucocorticoids induce a rapid synthesis of endocannabinoid in hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells by activation of a putative membrane receptor. Somato-dendritically released endocannabinoid acts as a retrograde messenger to suppress excitatory synaptic inputs to corticotropin-releasing hormone-, oxytocin-, and vasopressin-secreting cells. The non-genomic signaling mechanism responsible for rapid endocannabinoid synthesis by glucocorticoids has yet to be fully characterized. Here we manipulated cell signaling molecules pharmacologically using an intracellular approach to elucidate the signaling pathway activated by the membrane glucocorticoid receptor in hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells. We found that rapid glucocorticoid-induced endocannabinoid synthesis in magnocellular neuroendocrine cells requires the sequential activation of multiple kinases, phospholipase C, and intracellular calcium mobilization. While there remain gaps in our understanding, our findings reveal many of the critical players in the rapid glucocorticoid signaling that culminates in the retrograde endocannabinoid modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission.

Competency-based Standard Setting for a High-stakes Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): Validity Evidence.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction Medical educators need to demonstrate that their trainees meet expected competency levels when progressing through medical education. This study aimed to develop competency-based pass/fail cut-scores for a graduation required Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and examine validity evidence for new standards. Methods Six clinicians used the modified Angoff method to determine the cut-scores for an 8-station OSCE. The clinicians estimated the percentage of minimally competent students who would answer each checklist item correctly. Inter-rater reliability, differences in other academic achievements between pass/fail groups, educational impact, and response process were examined. Results One hundred seventy-four rising 4th-year medical students participated in the OSCE. The cut-scores determined for the OSCE resulted in a substantially lower failure rate (5% vs. 29% of the previous year). The inter-rater reliability across domains and cases was .98 (95% CI = .97 - .99). The pass/fail groups significantly differed in six of the eight measures of academic achievements included in the study. Discussion The impact of the standards setting was substantial as it significantly reduced the failure rate and burdens of remediation for both students and faculty. The very high inter-rater reliability indicates that the modified Angoff method produced reliable cut-scores. The significant differences between the pass/fail groups in other measures support external validity of the standards and ensure no false passes. The study also supports response process validity by including discussion among judges and check of previous student performances, as well as recruiting and training multiple clinician educators experienced in medical student teaching. Conclusion Findings of the study provide strong evidence supporting validity of the new cut-scores from a wide spectrum of validity metrics, including response process, internal structure, relations to other variables, and consequences. The study also added to the literature the value of the modified Angoff method in determining competency-based standards for OSCEs.

Synthesis and Microbiological Evaluation of Novel Tetracyclic Fluoroquinolones.

Conformationally constrained tetracyclic fluoroquinolones (FQs) were synthesized and profiled for their microbiological spectrum. The installation of a seven-membered ring between the pyrrolidine substituents and the C8 position on the FQ core scaffold resulted in a remarkable enhancement of microbiological potency toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Focused optimization of seven-membered ring composition, stereochemistry, and amine placement led to the discovery of the two lead compounds that were selected for further progression.

Semiochemical Production and Laboratory Behavior Response of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha Halys.

BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an exotic insect pest that was first recognized in the United States in 2001. As of today, it has been found in more than 42 states. BMSB has a very broad host plant range and damage to crops in mid-Atlantic States has reached a critical level. A reliable and accurate tool for infestation detection and population monitoring is urgently needed to provide better and more timely interventions. Pheromones produced by male BMSB have been previously identified and are currently used in BMSB infestation detection. However, the conditions affecting BMSB production of these pheromones were unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we collected headspace volatiles from male BMSB under laboratory conditions, measured the temporal patterns of release of these pheromones, and assayed the attractiveness to conspecifics. In addition to the pheromone components, tridecane (C13) and E-2-decenal (an alarm compound) were observed in headspace collections of males, as well as in females and nymphs. Exposure of pheromone-emitting adult males to synthetic C13 greatly reduced pheromone emission. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This information should lead to a better understanding of the biology, physiology, and chemical ecology of BMSB, which will help scientists and growers develop more efficient strategies based on natural products to manage BMSB population, therefore, reducing pesticide usage and protecting the crops from BMSB damage.

Using peer-assisted learning to teach and evaluate residents' musculoskeletal skills.

Although direct observation and corrective feedback are established methods of increasing select aspects of residents' musculoskeletal (MSK) clinical skills, the evaluation and management of patients with MSK complaints remains an underemphasized part of internal medicine training. This paper reports on the development of an innovative peer-assisted learning (PAL) model to teach five MSK areas (back, knee, shoulder, neck, or hip pain). Based on data from 42 participating interns and 44 senior residents from an urban US academic medical center, results from an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) demonstrate gains in both knowledge and self-reported confidence in MSK skills. Moreover, subsequent focus group results reveal a strong preference for the PAL model. In conclusion, an educational module that utilizes the OSCE format holds much promise for teaching MSK skills to both intern and senior residents.

Advances in the discovery of novel antibacterial agents during the year 2002.

The development of bacterial resistance is a significant problem in the treatment of infection, and the importance of research directed toward the discovery of novel agents to treat infections cannot be underestimated. In the past, discovery programs have focused on modification of natural products or existing classes of marketed antibacterial agents. A significant period of time lapsed between the introduction of the nalidixic acid-based quinolones and the next novel antibacterial agent (Zyvox). However, the advent of the "genomics era" has provided a wealth of new targets that afford the opportunity to discover novel antibacterial agents. This review reports on the state of antibacterial research directed toward the development of novel antibacterial agents with novel mechanisms of action for the calendar year, 2002. While variations on existing drug classes continue to appear, we have chosen to limit our discussion to novel classes of antibacterial agents which have not yet been marketed.