A.T. Still University (ATSU) is a private medical school based in Kirksville, Missouri, with a second campus in Arizona and third campus in Santa Maria, California. It was founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still and was the world's first osteopathic medical school. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ATSU includes three campuses on 200 acres with seven schools and colleges.T.T.T.T.T.T.
BACKGROUND Microsatellite instability (MSI) of colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important biomarker for treatment response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Traditionally, this has been identified using histological methods, but more recently, radiomics techniques have been applied to computed tomography (CT) images showing ability to differentiate MSI tumors. However, the variable techniques and scanner noise may limit broad application of the technique. Identifying visible, macroscopic imaging features may present a more invariant technique to identify MSI tumors on imaging.AIM To identify CT-based imaging features without radiomics to differentiate between MSI status in CRC. METHODS Imaging features of 109 subjects (58 male, 51 female) from 2011 to 2018 were stratified based on MSI status using CT scan images and pathological records. These variables included primary tumor location, primary tumor size, initial cancer stage, metastatic locations, primary attenuation compared to the liver, primary tumor growth pattern, primary tumor content, tumor margin, tumor density, and the presence or absence of mesenteric infiltration for primary tumor. Statistical analysis was performed using chi 2, t tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS Four clinical characteristics were statistically significant for MSI-high (MSI-H). Although the MSI-H mass is larger (P < 0.001), the MSI-H tumors have a lower cancer stage at initial diagnosis (P = 0.012) as the MSI-H CRC tends to have regional metastasis than distant metastasis (P < 0.001). MSI-H CRC tends to be right-sided while MSI-low CRC tends to be left-sided (P < 0.001). The Hounsfield unit SD was lower in the MSI-H than the MSI-low CRC, P = 0.002. The remaining primary imaging characteristics (tumor attenuation relative to the liver, tumor content, tumor growth pattern, and tumor margin) were not statistically different. Both classes of tumors were more likely to be well-defined with mucosal growth and hypoattenuating relative to the liver on portovenous phase imaging. CONCLUSION Four clinical and one imaging characteristics were statistically significant for MSI-H CRC tumors. Larger and prospective trials would be needed to assess clinical applicability of these findings.
Women remain underrepresented in physical medicine and rehabilitation, comprising only 36%-39% of residents despite evidence that diverse teams improve patient outcomes. Limited early exposure and systemic barriers may contribute to this disparity. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 1101 US premedical students from 198 colleges across 40 states and territories to assess perceptions of physical medicine and rehabilitation and identify effective early intervention strategies. While respondents included all gender identities, the analysis focused on the 870 female-identifying students (78.8%) due to the study's primary aim of addressing gender equity in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Only 30.6% were familiar with physical medicine and rehabilitation, with exposure primarily through social media (42.6%) and personal connections (31.1%); just 9.0% had shadowed a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Financial concerns were prevalent, with 68.6% citing medical education costs and 66.4% citing application fees as deterrents. Despite these barriers, 60.6% expressed interest in learning more about physical medicine and rehabilitation. Preferred engagement strategies included shadowing (81.8%), interactive workshops (76.6%), mentorship programs (60.1%), and gender-specific events such as "Women in PM&R" (62.8%). These findings underscore the need for targeted, early outreach initiatives that address both informational and financial barriers, aiming to foster greater awareness and representation of women in physical medicine and rehabilitation and ultimately support a more inclusive physician workforce.
The relationship between sociodemographic factors and the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, remains poorly understood. This scoping review aimed to explore the influence of sociodemographic determinants on the occurrence of OSCC, with a particular focus on disparities affecting Black individuals and the impact of such inequities on prognosis. This review was registered on the Open Science Framework and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five databases and gray literature were systematically searched. Eligible studies included adult patients diagnosed with OSCC and examined associations between sociodemographic factors, such as socioeconomic status (SES), education level, monthly income, and race and oral cancer outcomes. Data were synthesized descriptively. Sixty-nine studies from 13 countries, totaling 1,009,752 patients, were included. Among patients with reported SES, 71.6
We sought to quantify 3 years of musculoskeletal injuries recorded by on-site athletic trainers at an undergraduate performing arts campus, the services rendered, and the clinic time required to perform those services. The most common musculoskeletal injuries recorded were overuse injuries of the lower extremity and low back region. The most common athletic training service provided and clinician time involved hot and cold thermotherapy (21.5%) and electrical stimulation techniques (18.4%). Undergraduate performing arts clinics should receive sufficient equipment, funding, and staffing to provide athletic training services for a high proportion of lower extremity and lumbar region overuse injuries.
Gross anatomy is a foundational first-year component of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum, with limited future vertical integration. Retrieval practice and spaced learning to enhance retention are rarely embedded in second-year DPT coursework. This study evaluated Integrated Anatomy Experiences (IAEs) in a musculoskeletal Patient Management Course (PMC). Sixty-two second-year DPT students participated in two IAEs incorporating: peer-led osteology review, prosected donor exploration, faculty-guided palpation and assessment, and integrated clinical application. A mixed-methods design guided by Kirkpatrick Levels 1 and 2 was used. Knowledge was assessed pre/posttest using identical multiple-choice questions. Item-level performance was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, effect sizes, and item difficulty. Student perceptions of the IAEs were collected through de-identified reflections and analyzed thematically using a structured codebook. Nine of 10 items demonstrated higher proportions of correct answers on the posttest, with significant improvement for most items (p < 0.05). Effect sizes were medium to large (r = 0.31-0.63). Item-difficulty indices increased for most items, and distractor analysis revealed reductions in implausible choices. Qualitative analysis showed predominantly positive reactions; students emphasized improved understanding of anatomical relationships, greater appreciation of clinical relevance, enhanced spatial reasoning, and increased confidence with palpation skills. Only one student expressed discomfort in the donor laboratory. Embedding IAEs within second-year PMCs appears to strengthen knowledge retrieval and promotes vertical integration of anatomy with clinical skills. This approach may be valuable for cohorts with limited prior hands-on anatomy experience and is feasible when faculty collaborate to design multimodal learning activities.
