Search

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process and to assess its use as an admission tool to predict noncognitive traits associated with professional behavior during patient care in one cohort of dental students at a single U.S. dental school. Data were analyzed for the 95 candidates who matriculated and graduated as part of the 2017 graduating cohort at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. All MMI interviewees for one cycle of admissions rotated through ten stations: two traditional interview question stations and eight scenario stations measuring domains that included four questions scored on a five‐point Likert scale. Generalizability theory analysis showed the MMI to have good reliability (G Coefficient of 0.74). Station reliabilities (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.88 to 0.92. MMI scores showed a positive significant correlation with students’ scores on the Dental Admission Test and Perceptual Ability Test, D1 cumulative GPA, and D4 Patient Management grade. MMI scores positively correlated with professional behaviors relating to three domains—openness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability—thus demonstrating good predictive validity for measuring noncognitive traits associated with professionalism. This study found that the MMI was a reliable and valid tool that predicted key behavioral traits associated with professionalism in dental students.

Genetic polymorphisms identified from genomic sequencing can be used to track changes in parasite populations through time. Such tracking is particularly informative when applying control strategies and evaluating their effectiveness. Using genomic approaches may also enable improved ability to categorise populations and to stratify them according to the likely effectiveness of intervention. Clinical applications of genomic approaches also allow relapses to be classified according to reinfection or recrudescence. These tools can be used not only to assess the effectiveness of malaria interventions but also to appraise the strategies for malaria elimination.

ABSTRACTAs the intensity of malaria transmission has declined, Plasmodium falciparumparasite populations have displayed decreased clonal diversity resulting from the emergence of many parasites with common genetic signatures (CGS). We have monitored such CGS parasite clusters from 2006 to 2013 in Thiès, Senegal, using the molecular barcode. The first, and one of the largest observed clusters of CGS parasites, was present in 24% of clinical isolates in 2008, declined to 3.4% of clinical isolates in 2009, and then disappeared. To begin to explore the relationship between the immune responses of the population and the emergence and decline of specific parasite genotypes, we have determined whether antibodies to CGS parasites correlate with their prevalence. We measured (i) antibodies capable of inhibiting parasite growth in culture and (ii) antibodies recognizing the surfaces of infected erythrocytes (RBCs). IgG obtained from volunteers in 2009 showed increased reactivity to the surfaces of CGS-parasitized erythrocytes over IgG from 2008. Since P. falciparumEMP-1 (PfEMP-1) is a major variant surface antigen, we used varUps quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and sequencing with degenerate DBL1α domain primers to characterize the vargenes expressed by CGS parasites after short-term in vitroculture. CGS parasites show upregulation of UpsA vargenes and 2-cysteine-containing PfEMP-1 molecules and express the same dominant vartranscript. Our work indicates that the CGS parasites in this cluster express similar vargenes, more than would be expected by chance in the population, and that there is year-to-year variation in immune recognition of surface antigens on CGS parasite-infected erythrocytes. This study lays the groundwork for detailed investigations of the mechanisms driving the expansion or contraction of specific parasite clones in the population.

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) control the site and extent of GTPase activity. Longin domains (LDs) are found in many Rab-GEFs, including DENNs, MON1/CCZ1, BLOC-3 and the TRAPP complex. Other GEFs, including Ragulator, contain roadblock domains (RDs), the structure of which is closely related to LDs. Other GTPase regulators, including mglB, SRX and Rags, use LDs or RDs as platforms for GTPases. Here, we review the conserved relationship between GTPases and LD/RDs, showing how LD/RD dimers act as adaptable platforms for GTPases. To extend our knowledge of GEFs, we used a highly sensitive sequence alignment tool to predict the existence of new LD/RDs. We discovered two yeast Ragulator subunits, and also a new LD in TRAPPC10 that may explain the Rab11-GEF activity ascribed to TRAPP-II.

ABSTRACTDespite efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality, drug-resistant parasites continue to evade control strategies. Recently, emphasis has shifted away from control and toward regional elimination and global eradication of malaria. Such a campaign requires tools to monitor genetic changes in the parasite that could compromise the effectiveness of antimalarial drugs and undermine eradication programs. These tools must be fast, sensitive, unambiguous, and cost-effective to offer real-time reports of parasite drug susceptibility status across the globe. We have developed and validated a set of genotyping assays using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to detect molecular biomarkers associated with drug resistance across six genes in Plasmodium falciparum. We improved on existing technical approaches by developing refinements and extensions of HRM, including the use of blocked probes (LunaProbes) and the mutant allele amplification bias (MAAB) technique. To validate the sensitivity and accuracy of our assays, we compared our findings to sequencing results in both culture-adapted lines and clinical isolates from Senegal. We demonstrate that our assays (i) identify both known and novel polymorphisms, (ii) detect multiple genotypes indicative of mixed infections, and (iii) distinguish between variants when multiple copies of a locus are present. These rapid and inexpensive assays can track drug resistance and detect emerging mutations in targeted genetic loci in P. falciparum. They provide tools for monitoring molecular changes associated with changes in drug response across populations and for determining whether parasites present after drug treatment are the result of recrudescence or reinfection in clinical settings.

The article offers information on how to control indoor air pollution in the U.S. According to the author, all homes contain different set of air-quality problems wherein older homes has higher susceptibility to mold and mildew and the new ones posses high concentrations of chemicals as well as dust, dirt and smokes. It also cites the measures for controlling and suppressing air pollution, including air circulation and purification and eliminating chemical contaminations.

The article discusses new trends in high-end security systems and what modern technology can do to protect houses. The Fingerprint-recognition systems are the most popular for home security, which cannot be stolen unlike keys and passwords. Also popular are video surveillance systems which provide live video that can be viewed through the Internet.

ABSTRACTThe emergence of Plasmodium falciparumresistance to artemisinin in Southeast Asia threatens malaria control and elimination activities worldwide. Multiple polymorphisms in the P. falciparum kelchgene found in chromosome 13 (Pfk13) have been associated with artemisinin resistance. Surveillance of potential drug resistance loci within a population that may emerge under increasing drug pressure is an important public health activity. In this context, P. falciparuminfections from an observational surveillance study in Senegal were genotyped using targeted amplicon deep sequencing (TADS) for Pfk13polymorphisms. The results were compared to previously reported Pfk13polymorphisms from around the world. A total of 22 Pfk13propeller domain polymorphisms were identified in this study, of which 12 have previously not been reported. Interestingly, of the 10 polymorphisms identified in the present study that were also previously reported, all had a different amino acid substitution at these codon positions. Most of the polymorphisms were present at low frequencies and were confined to single isolates, suggesting they are likely transient polymorphisms that are part of naturally evolving parasite populations. The results of this study underscore the need to identify potential drug resistance loci existing within a population, which may emerge under increasing drug pressure.

A review is offered for Suzy Wong's House of Yum restaurant, located in Nashville, Tennessee.

The article reports about the visit to Gloucester Prison by the Career Development Group (CDG). It focuses on the facility services of the prison library, one of the oldest prisons in the country that could accommodate over 300 prisoners. The prison is on short-term stay for prisoners from the surrounding area including Bristol, Cardiff and the Midlands. The Library has more books equated per prisoner than most libraries which allot only ten per inmate. Foreign-language materials are also in the list for increasing demand. The services of the library is well appreciated by the inmates and the staff are well commended.

We have adapted a solution hybrid selection protocol to enrich pathogen DNA in clinical samples dominated by human genetic material. Using mock mixtures of human and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite DNA as well as clinical samples from infected patients, we demonstrate an average of approximately 40-fold enrichment of parasite DNA after hybrid selection. This approach will enable efficient genome sequencing of pathogens from clinical samples, as well as sequencing of endosymbiotic organisms such as Wolbachia that live inside diverse metazoan phyla.

A review is offered for Foglight Foodhouse, located in Walling, Tennessee.

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exhibits abundant genetic diversity, and this diversity is key to its success as a pathogen. Previous efforts to study genetic diversity in P. falciparum have begun to elucidate the demographic history of the species, as well as patterns of population structure and patterns of linkage disequilibrium within its genome. Such studies will be greatly enhanced by new genomic tools and recent large-scale efforts to map genomic variation. To that end, we have developed a high throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platform for P. falciparum.

The author discusses the importance of including the pets in gift-giving during Christmas.