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BackgroundMobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice for patient communication, monitoring, and education. Mobile health (mHealth) tools have also been used to facilitate adherence to chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) management, which is critical to achieving improved pain outcomes, quality of life, and cost-effective health care. ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the 25-year trend of the literature on the adherence, usability, feasibility, and acceptability of mHealth interventions in CMP management among patients and health care providers. MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for studies assessing the role of mHealth in CMP management from January 1999 to December 2023. Outcomes of interest included the effect of mHealth interventions on patient adherence; pain-specific clinical outcomes after the intervention; and the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of mHealth tools and platforms in chronic pain management among target end users. ResultsA total of 89 articles (26,429 participants) were included in the systematic review. Mobile apps were the most commonly used mHealth tools (78/89, 88%) among the included studies, followed by mobile app plus monitor (5/89, 6%), mobile app plus wearable sensor (4/89, 4%), and web-based mobile app plus monitor (1/89, 1%). Usability, feasibility, and acceptability or patient preferences for mHealth interventions were assessed in 26% (23/89) of the studies and observed to be generally high. Overall, 30% (27/89) of the studies used a randomized controlled trial (RCT), cohort, or pilot design to assess the impact of the mHealth intervention on patients’ adherence, with significant improvements (all P

Premenstrual exacerbation of an existing psychiatric disorder refers to the worsening of symptoms inherent to the condition during the premenstrual phase. Research consistently indicates that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle present a unique period of vulnerability for the onset or exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, impacting diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment. This review sought to elucidate the phenomenon of premenstrual exacerbation and its impact across a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, including mood, anxiety, psychotic, obsessive-compulsive, personality, and trauma-related disorders. Despite the expanded research in recent years on premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual exacerbation remains underexplored and poorly defined. This review offers significant contributions to the diagnosis and management of psychiatric conditions, advocating for heightened awareness and novel treatment approaches in the context of premenstrual exacerbation.

Purpose: To evaluate rates of familial disclosure of hereditary cancer syndrome information. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO no.: CRD42020134276). Key electronic databases were searched to identify studies evaluating hereditary cancer syndrome cascade relative disclosure. Eligible studies were subjected to meta-analysis. Results: Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Among 11,711 included relatives, 70% (95% CI 60 - 78%) were informed of their risk of carrying a cancer-associated pathogenic variant; of 2,875 relatives informed of their risk who were evaluated for uptake of cascade testing, 43% (95% CI 27 - 61%) completed testing. Rates of disclosure were higher among female vs male relatives (79% [95% CI 73% - 84%] vs 67% [95% CI 57% - 75%]) and first-degree vs second-degree relatives (83% [95% CI 77% - 88%] vs 58% [95% CI 45 – 69%]). Conclusion: Nearly one-third of at-risk relatives remain uninformed of their risk of carrying a cancer-associated pathogenic variant. Even among those informed, fewer than half subsequently complete genetic testing, representing a critical missed opportunity for precision cancer prevention. Innovation: Five studies evaluating interventions to improve disclosure rates were generally ineffective. Urgent work is needed to elucidate barriers to relative disclosure by probands to develop targeted interventions that can optimize proband-mediated cascade genetic testing rates.

Purpose: To highlight a case series of three pediatric patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the setting of influenza illness. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed. Results: Three patients of ages 23 months (patient 1), 2 years (patient 2), and 4 years (patient 3) presented with acute hemiparesis or focal status epilepticus. Two patients had trisomy 21 and trivial cardiac septal defects, and one was previously healthy. All patients tested positive for influenza within a week of symptoms. Neuroimaging showed AIS involving right deep grey matter and bilateral posterior cortex in patient 1, left parietal lobe in patient 2, and right parietotemporal and deep grey matter in patient 3. Vascular abnormalities were found and included moyamoya syndrome in two patients and focal arteriopathy in one patient. For secondary stroke prevention, patients 2 and 3 were started on clopidogrel initially and later transitioned to aspirin after the resolution of the acute influenza infection. Patient 1 was started on aspirin at diagnosis since he was not acutely ill. Conclusions: This case series highlights three pediatric patients with AIS with underlying arteriopathy in the setting of influenza infection. Pediatric AIS is a separate entity from adult stroke. There is limited understanding of its underlying pathophysiology. The most common risk factors described in literature for pediatric AIS are arteriopathy and cardiac disorders. Minor infection may be a significant risk factor in a child that is predisposed to vascular insult. There is some evidence in literature to suggest that vaccination against such illnesses may be protective for AIS.

This article explores how diasporic Chinese video artists present familial histories and tales of cross-cultural exchange in the context of an exhibition I am curating, Another Beautiful Country: Moving Images by Chinese American Artists, at the University of Southern California (USC) Pacific Asia Museum. I discuss projects by featured artists Richard Fung and Patty Chang. These artists’ experimental documentaries and performative videos foster deep personal discoveries that defy the late-capitalist obsession with the new as defined by youth, novelty, and the next trend, providing revelatory insights through recuperative engagements with what has come before. In analyzing artworks by Fung and Chang, I also reference related texts by/about artists and historical figures including Walter Benjamin, Anna May Wong, and Zhang Ailing, who emigrated from the People’s Republic of China to the United States in the 1950s and whose special collections in the USC Libraries helped inform the exhibition’s programming. I also interweave my own related familial histories and share some (not-so-new) curatorial ideas for immersing audiences in intercultural art and reflection.

Abstract Background Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (PBCS) are at increased risk of bone loss and fractures due to age-related decline of estrogen, and this risk is compounded by aromatase inhibitor cancer therapy. Several patient-level targetable risk factors can mitigate osteoporosis risk; however, adequate health behavior and risk perception in this population are underreported. The goal of this study was to evaluate osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs and assess their association with engagement in osteoporosis preventive behaviors among PBCS. Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study, early stage I–IIIA PBCS (ages 55–86 years) completed the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz, Osteoporosis Health Beliefs Scale, and Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors questionnaires. Participants who were non-English speaking or declined to participate were excluded. Clinical and sociodemographic information were obtained from chart review and baseline questionnaire, respectively. Fisher’s exact test, Student t-test, and Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney tests were used where appropriate to assess the association between knowledge and beliefs with engagement in osteoporosis preventive behaviors. Results The mean participant age was 66.1 years with 20% self-reporting as non-Hispanic White, 40% non-Hispanic Black, 27% Hispanic, and 13% other. Approximately 83% of the cohort had estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and received a bone density scan within the last six years. Osteoporosis knowledge (10.5 ± 3.4), seriousness (14.9 ± 3.8), and susceptibility (14.0 ± 3.5) mean scores were low among PBCS. Most PBCS (75%) were adherent to calcium and vitamin D supplements, but only 47% reported engagement in strength-training exercises. Married/partnered, higher osteoporosis knowledge and health motivation scores were associated with strength-training exercise. After adjustment for marital status and osteoporosis knowledge, only health motivation score remained significantly associated with strength-training exercise (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.35–22.93). Conclusions PBCS are highly motivated to keep a healthy lifestyle despite limited osteoporosis knowledge, perceived risk, and susceptibility. However,

Background:. Breast pocket irrigation with antiseptic solutions is performed to reduce contamination with breast implants. The optimal antiseptic irrigation solution and the efficacy of individual practices are unclear. Oxychlorosene sodium is frequently used at our institution. Oxychlorosene is bactericidal with a mechanism of action of oxidation and hypochlorination. The purpose of our study was to compare the outcomes of oxychlorosene sodium irrigation with triple antibiotic solution (TAS) in implant-based breast reconstruction. Methods:. All patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction after mastectomy were reviewed. The primary predictive variable was type of solution used for pocket irrigation (TAS or oxychlorosene). Outcome variables included surgical site infection, device removal, and wound complications. Results:. Between 2013 and 2018, 331 implant-based breast reconstructions were performed. Of these, 62% (n = 206) received oxychlorosene for surgical pocket irrigation (group I), and 38% (n = 125) received TAS (group II). Group I had an 11.7% (n = 24) 90-day surgical site infection rate, with 4.9% (n = 10) requiring oral antibiotics, 2.4% (n = 5) requiring intravenous antibiotics without device removal, and 4.4% (n = 9) requiring prosthetic removal. Group II had an 11.2% (n = 14) 90-day infection rate, with 5.6% (n = 7) requiring oral antibiotics, 2.4% (n = 3) requiring intravenous antibiotics without device removal, and 3.2% (n = 4) requiring removal (P = 0.90). When comparing the cost of oxychlorosene irrigation with TAS irrigation, oxychlorosene was less expensive. Conclusions:. Oxychlorosene and TAS have similar surgical site infection rates in prosthetic breast reconstruction. Ease of preparation and cost make oxychlorosene a more favorable option for antibiotic irrigation in reconstructive breast surgery with prosthetic devices.

The literature demonstrates that the quality of cancer family history (CFH) as currently collected in the outpatient setting is inadequate to assess disease risk. Prior to implementation of a web-based application for cancer family history collection, we aimed to review the quality of collected CFH in a gynecologic oncology outpatient clinic and determine contributing patient factors. Medical records were reviewed for 200 new patients presenting between 4/2019–7/2019. CFH was collected during the patient interview and evaluated for inclusion of eight elements based on standards set by the genetics community. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the effect of patient characteristics on the number of relatives included in the CFH. Among our cohort of 200 patients, CFH was documented for 185 patients (92.5%). On univariate analysis, patients with a family history of cancer and prior genetic testing had significantly greater median number of relatives included in the CFH. On multivariable analysis, patients with family members with cancer had significantly more relatives included. Our data are consistent with the literature, suggesting that the current collection methods may not adequately capture all measures of a high quality CFH. Patients reporting no family history of cancer and those without prior genetic testing were least likely to have CFH that included key quality elements and these patients might benefit from health information technology CFH collection tools.

A typical clinical symptom of human norovirus infection is projectile vomiting. Although norovirus RNA and viral particles have been detected in vomitus, infectivity has not yet been reported. We detected replication-competent norovirus in 25% of vomit samples with a 13-fold to 714-fold increase in genomic equivalents, confirming infectious norovirus.

Circadian clocks must maintain their fidelity despite stochasticity arising from finite protein copy numbers. Here, the authors show that a small cyanobacterium relies on an environmentally driven timer likely because its low protein copy numbers cannot support an accurate free-running clock.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The aim of this project is to assess the usability and acceptance of a web-based educational resource for early career researchers. The Emerging Investigators website is designed to bring together resources, provide educational support and foster a community of early career researchers throughout the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS). Locally designed and built, this web-based platform is developed using the principles of Community of Inquiry (COI), which considers how the design of online learning environments might best create and sustain a sense of community among learners. Developing a resource that meets the needs of this cohort of researchers requires an iterative implementation strategy guided by user feedback. A formal website roll-out strategy and accompanied evaluation aims to determine the design, navigability, content, relevance and educational value of this online resource from a user perspective. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In order to ensure this resource effectively meets the needs of this cohort of researchers, a mixed process of evaluation and design was utilized. An initial phase 1 survey was conducted with TL1 and KL2 scholars. Surveys consisted of standardized questions with answers arranged as Likert-type scales and additional written responses to collect valuable qualitative data. A convenience sample of early career researchers at Mount Sinai were contacted for initial survey participation (N = 10). A total of 3 junior faculty KL2 scholars, 3 TL1 post-doc and 4 TL1 pre-doc scholars responded to the survey. Participants were initially asked to comment on design, functionality and usefulness of content on a Likert scale with qualitative comments to support the given scores. They were subsequently asked to consider what key topics or resources were missing from the website. Based on the initial survey, changes were made to the format and content of the Emerging Investigators website to improve content relevance and usability. For phase 2, an evaluation rubric was developed to assess design, navigability, content, relevance, along with three key COI criteria to determine the educational value of this online resource. The rubric will be utilized to collect feedback in the wider phase 2 roll out of the website. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The first phase of survey feedback shaped overall design of the resource. The second phase will comprehensively evaluate the value of the website in the context of teaching and learning for emerging investigators. Ten surveys were captured in the first phase. Data collection is ongoing for the second phase. Phase 1 feedback was primarily qualitative, and valuable in informing overall design choices and content. Overall the website was well received, with participants commenting on the value of the resource in terms of content and educational value. Participants particularly appreciated the regularly updated calendar function and the links provided to a wide range of resources. Functionality issues, such as broken links, were reported by participants and repaired for phase 2. Further topics of content were identified, and additional links and multimedia resources were added to address this feedback. The second phase evaluation is ongoing with data collection being conducted via an evaluation rubric. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The Emerging Investigators website, developed using the principles of COI provides key learning, reading and resources for early career investigators in a format that is well received by a sample group of early career researchers at Mount Sinai. The website has aimed to address the reported need for communication, collaboration and social interaction with peers and other researchers across the MSHS through the addition of further web-based resources such as a LinkedIn page, a blog to feature research and provide a sounding board for research efforts, and a calendar of events targeted specifically at early career researchers. These were highlighted as areas of particular value by the participants. We anticipate the results of phase 2 rubric-based evaluations will provide actionable data that will lead to further refinement of the website, an optimized interface, and improved usability.

Review of the book "Boys’ Love, Cosplay, and Androgynous Idols: Queer Fan Cultures in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan" by Maud Lavin, Ling Yang, and Jing Jamie Zhao (Eds.).

Circadian rhythms are biological oscillations that schedule daily changes in physiology. Outside the laboratory, circadian clocks do not generally free-run but are driven by daily cues whose timing varies with the seasons. The principles that determine how circadian clocks align to these external cycles are not well understood. Here, we report experimental platforms for driving the cyanobacterial circadian clock both in vivo and in vitro. We find that the phase of the circadian rhythm follows a simple scaling law in light-dark cycles, tracking midday across conditions with variable day length. The core biochemical oscillator comprised of the Kai proteins behaves similarly when driven by metabolic pulses in vitro, indicating that such dynamics are intrinsic to these proteins. We develop a general mathematical framework based on instantaneous transformation of the clock cycle by external cues, which successfully predicts clock behavior under many cycling environments.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This project aims to synthesize an angiogenic decorin mimic (VEGFp-DS-SILY) with varying densities of QK and characterize its angiogenic potential and synergism with VEGF by evaluating (1) endothelial cell (EC) migration and proliferation, (2) EC VEGF receptor activation, (3) EC tubule formation in collagen scaffolds, and (4) angiogenesis from a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM assay) growing into the scaffold, reflecting the ability of the collagen scaffold to integrate into existing vasculature. The next main goal is to develop and characterize an MMP-degradable nanoparticle system for controlled release of VEGF. Future work will evaluate in vivo effects of VEGFp-DS-SILY bound to a 3D collagen scaffold on ischemic wound repair in a combined excisional wound/bipedical dorsal skin flap rat model. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Peptide hydrazides are conjugated to the free carboxylic acid functional groups on dermatan sulfate using EDC chemistry. We added a 3 amino acid spacer (-Gly-Ser-Gly) to the C-terminus of the established QK sequence before the hydrazide functional group and refer to this modified QK as “VEGFp.” VEGFp, SILY, and N-terminal biotinylated versions were synthesized using standard Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis protocols and purified using reverse phase HPLC. Coupling efficiencies of peptides to dermatan sulfate were determined spectroscopically at 280 nm measuring the aromatic residues (Trp or Tyr) using a NanoDrop system. Dermatan sulfate with 1 or 4 VEGFp peptides coupled were termed DSV1 and DSV4, respectively. After further conjugation with SILY, we will blend this VEGFp-DS-SILY with unmodified DS-SILY to a total 10 μM to test increasing densities of VEGFp. To verify that the collagen-binding properties of VEGFp-DS-SILY are not compromised by the addition of VEGFp, we will use a streptavidin-HRP system to detect bound biotinylated VEGFp-DS-SILY on collagen-coated plates by established protocols. DSV1 and DSV4 were tested for their effects on endothelial VEGFR2 phosphorylation using an MSD ELISA-type assay and endothelial proliferation using an MTS assay. Cell migration was monitored using an ORIS assay where cells are grown to confluence around a silicone stopper that is then removed to allow cells to migrate inward. Tubulogenesis was evaluated by examining tubule formation on matrigel. Finally, in vivo angiogenesis will be evaluated using a chorioallantoic membrane assay. For extracellular VEGF release, hollow MMP-degradable thermoresponsive nanoparticles [NIPAM, 5 mol% 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), 1% Acrylic Acid (AAc), 2 mol% MMP-degradable peptide diacrylate, and potassium persulfate initiator] will be synthesized around noncross-linked polymer cores. The cores will then be diffused out through the shell by dialysis prior to drug loading. SILY (and some biotinylated SILY for visualization) will be conjugated with EDC chemistry for targeting nanoparticles to collagen. NPs size and zeta-potential will be measured on a Malvern Zetasizer. VEGF will be loaded into NPs by co-incubating a loading solution of 1 µg/mL VEGF with 1 mg of NPs, incubating overnight at 4°C. VEGF loading and release will be measured by ELISA. Biological activity of the released VEGF from particles will be determined on ECs using assays similar to those outlined previously. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary data have verified the synthesis and purification of SILY and VEGFp (QK-Gly-Ser-Gly-hydrazide), as well as an N-terminal biotinylated version, through mass spectrometry and reverse-phase HPLC, respectively. For proof-of-concept, we have verified binding of VEGFp to the VEGF receptor 2 using a ForteBio Blitz interferometry instrument. In addition to support based on published reports showing retained bioactivity of QK after conjugation using other spacers, our preliminary data suggests that VEGFp still binds to VEGF receptor 2, albeit with decreased affinity like QK as compared with VEGF. Circular dichroism also shows that VEGFp has retained its α-helical structure necessary for bioactivity; however it appears that it has some uncoiling when conjugated to dermatan sulfate. We hypothesize that varying densities of VEGFp conjugated to the decorin mimetic (DS-SILY) will modulate the degree of angiogenic activity and synergy with VEGF. We determined that we can achieve ~70% VEGFp conjugation completion to dermatan sulfate after 3.5 hours. We have quantified VEGFR2 phosphorylation after 5 minute treatments by using phospho-specific antibodies and an ELISA-type protocol in a mesoscale discovery system. Preliminary data with human umbilical vein endothelial cells shows that VEGFp exhibits synergism with VEGF at levels similar to QK. DSV1 and DSV4 data suggests synergy with VEGF, although free-peptides and engineered compounds alone did not show effects similar to VEGF in the conditions tested. Prelminary data with 30 minute treatments suggests that the peptides and compounds may require longer exposures to induce activation, as they may have slower binding rates. In contrast, prolonged stimulation with VEGF causes a sharp increase in receptor activation, peaking around 10 minutes and decreasing significantly by 30 minutes. Peptides QK and VEGFp both slightly increased proliferation of dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) after 60 hours incubation. However, incubation with dermatan sulfate and DSV caused significant cell death after 24 hours in reduced growth factor media, likely due to sequestering of growth factors. It is possible that VEGFp-DS-SILY may better stimulate proliferation since it would be presented as a surface bound proteoglycan mimic, rather than as a soluble factor. HMVECs migrated farther for all treatment groups (10 µM QK, 10 µM VEGFp, 1 µM DSV4, and 10 µM DSV4) than the 10 ng/mL VEGF positive control, although more cells migrated in response to VEGF. This may be accounted at least in part by the more pronounced proliferation induced by VEGF. Migration will also be tested in 3D culture within a collagen gel. We are currently testing a 2D matrigel system for tubulogenesis. We have found that 10 µM DSV4 forms qualitatively more well-defined tubules than the untreated control on reduced growth factor matrigel. However, we were not able to quantify the improved tubule formation and are still troubleshooting the tubule analysis. After seeding ECs and culturing for 4, 8, and 12 hours, cells will be fluorescently stained with anti-CD31 and imaged for 3D tubule formation. CAM assay angiogenesis growing into a collagen scaffold. In brief, fertilized chicken embryos are incubated for 2 days before exposing the CAM. VEGFp-DS-SILY bound to a collagen gel will be placed onto the CAM. Some treatment groups will receive additional VEGF to investigate synergistic effects. Light microscope images of angiogenesis into the collagen gel coated with VEGFp-DS-SILY, taken every day from days 10 to 13, will reflect the ability of the collagen scaffold to integrate into existing vasculature and 3D angiogenic potential of VEGFp-DS-SILY with or without VEGF. We expect that VEGFp-DS-SILY treatment will increase the number of vessels formed on the CAM. Preliminary data using a Fluoraldehyde assay indicates that loading of ~300 ng VEGF per mg of nanoparticles can be achieved. We expect that using an MMP-degradable peptide diacrylate crosslinker will allow nanoparticles to degrade in protease-rich environments like the chronic wound bed and release VEGF. Adjustments to the formulation, such as crosslinker density, may need to be modified to control the rate of VEGF release. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: We expect that our angiogenic decorin mimetic will lead to a novel treatment to accelerate healing of ischemic diabetic foot ulcers, thereby reducing the need for limb amputation and mortality rate of diabetic patients. We anticipate that the diabetes research and regenerative medicine communities will (1) gain a platform for targeted delivery of growth factors, (2) understand the dependence of vascularization within 3D collagen constructs on VEGFp densities and VEGF receptor activation in controlling the degree of angiogenesis, and (3) gain the benefits of controlled angiogenesis in ischemic diabetic wound healing.

The role of p53 in the prevention of development of embryos damaged by genotoxic factors is well recognized. However, whether p53 plays an analogous role in preventing birth defects from genetic mutations remains an unanswered question. Genetic screens for mutations affecting development show that only a fraction of developmentally lethal mutations leads to specific phenotypes while the majority results in similar recurrent phenotypes characterized by neuronal apoptosis and developmental delay. Mutations in cell-essential genes typically fall into this group. The observation that mutations in diverse housekeeping genes lead to a similar phenotype suggests a common mechanism underlying this phenotype. For some mutants, p53 inhibition was shown to attenuate the phenotype.To find out how common p53 involvement is in this phenotype, we analyzed zebrafish mutants from various categories of cell essential genes. Several thousand zebrafish mutants have been identified; many of them are kept at stock centers and available for the research community. We selected mutants for genes functioning in DNA replication, transcription, telomere maintenance, ribosome biogenesis, splicing, chaperoning, endocytosis, and cellular transport. We found that mutants have similar phenotypes including neural apoptosis, failure to develop structures originated from the neural crest cells, and hematopoietic defects. All mutants share p53 upregulation and similar changes in several p53-dependent and independent molecular pathways.Our results suggest that mutations in housekeeping genes often canalize on the p53-mediated phenotype. p53 prevents the development of embryos with defects in such genes. p53-mediated changes in gene expression may also contribute to many human congenital malformations.

Abstract Introduction As of 2000, over 46 million people in the United States do not speak English as their primary language, and over 21 million speak English less than “very well.” This language barrier represents a serious problem for the delivery of quality health care. The Essential Medical Mandarin course was designed to address this problem. Methods This intensive 2-hour course introduces the Chinese language to physicians and other health care providers and exposes them to a number of culturally relevant topics, including demographics, health concerns, health care beliefs and practices, and alternative therapy specific to the Chinese-speaking population. The first hour is dedicated to didactic learning: teachers present the basic courtesy expressions and survival questions necessary in a medical interview. The second hour is a small-group interactive session in which students polish their Chinese pronunciation in a simulated patient-physician encounter. During the small-group session, individuals can learn additional phrases and vocabulary not covered in the first hour but pertinent to their specialties. All teaching materials and reference flash cards are provided in a packet to encourage future self-directed learning. Results To assess the class's effectiveness, we administered an end-of-course survey with three sections: overall course quality, participant experience, and participant background. From three courses offered in spring 2008, 35 surveys were collected. Respondents gave the course a score of 4.63 out of 5 for overall quality. Among individual components of the course, Medical Terminology ranked first, receiving the highest score (4.68), while Pinyin Introduction received the lowest (4.35). These high ratings suggest that participants found the course well organized and taught. All 35 students (100%) indicated that they would recommend the course to their colleagues, while 34 participants (95%) would attend another session. These results indicate that participants found the course valuable and worthwhile. Discussion Implementation of the course requires teachers fluent in Mandarin. They should also have a basic understanding of Chinese culture and beliefs regarding disease processes and medicine in general. To teach an inherently difficult language in a short amount of time, we emphasized the framework of Mandarin and the construction of a foundation from which future skills could be more easily acquired. Rather than introducing numerous vocabulary words and phrases, the curriculum familiarizes students with the four tones, provides key ways to pronounce common consonants and vowels, and emphasizes mastering the basic phrases for the clinic. After the lecture, participants were divided into small groups, each with an instructor, and given the opportunity to practice, review, and work on phrases pertinent to their areas of expertise. This strategy of distilling a vast amount of information followed by small-group sessions tailored to individual needs was very effective for reinforcing basics as well as building new and more relevant vocabulary.