The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) is the medical school of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. It was opened in 2015 and holds provisional accreditation with the American Osteopathic Association.The school began the inaugural class in summer 2017. Medical graduates of UIW-SOM will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.
This cross-sectional study assesses the scale and scope of terminated cancer research grants from the National Cancer Institute.
BACKGROUND:The Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to detect and prevent antimicrobial-resistant threats. However, low submission rates of antimicrobial-resistant isolates limit the AR Lab Network's ability to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study expands on a study conducted in Texas Public Health Region 8 (PHR8). AIM:The aim of this study was to investigate submission barriers for antimicrobial-resistant isolates in Texas acute care hospitals (ACH) and critical access hospitals (CAH). METHODS:A survey was designed and emailed to laboratory professionals to identify barriers to antimicrobial-resistant isolate submission. Responses were analyzed using two-sided Fisher's exact tests to identify associations between responses and respondent characteristics. RESULTS:Of the Texas laboratory personnel invited to participate, 123 responses from 211 hospitals were received, for a response rate of 58.29%. Lack of awareness of the AR Lab Network was the most frequently cited submission barrier (50.48% of respondents). Other submission barriers included submission to another laboratory (49.53%), lack of staff time (42.86%), lack of training or certified personnel (41.9%), and a submission process that was too time-consuming (40%). DISCUSSION:As in the Texas PHR8 study, it was found that, regardless of the respondent's role, time in that role, or the type of hospital in which they worked, the most common barrier to antimicrobial-resistant isolate submission was lack of awareness of the AR Lab Network. In the future, the identified barriers will be addressed by implementing educational outreach programs about the AR Lab Network for Texas hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Securing intravenous (IV) access in neonates is technically challenging due to extremely small vessel caliber, fragile skin, and limited subcutaneous tissue. High-fidelity training phantoms are essential for teaching ultrasound-guided vascular access, yet most commercial models are adult-sized, lack neonatal realism, and are cost-prohibitive. The aim of this study was to design and optimize a low-cost, ultrasound-compatible 3D silicone phantom that replicates neonatal tissue and vasculature for peripheral and central IV access training. A multi-phase design process incorporated 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) molds, Dragon Skin™ silicone (Smooth-On, Inc., Macungie, PA, USA), Slacker® softener (Smooth-On, Inc., Macungie, PA, USA), and 3% talcum powder to enhance echogenicity. Silicone tubing (0.2-0.4 mm internal diameters (ID)) was embedded at neonatal-appropriate depths using rotational casting for dermal uniformity and vessel channel supports for positional accuracy. Iterative engineering improved dermal wall uniformity, vessel stability, and ultrasound visibility, resulting in a durable, reproducible phantom with realistic tissue compliance and vessel compressibility. The developed 3D silicone phantom provides a realistic, affordable, and reproducible neonatal vascular access simulator. User feedback supports its fidelity and utility, and its low material cost enables broad implementation in neonatal procedural training programs.
Verruca vulgaris is a common dermatologic concern in pediatric populations, yet pain associated with standard treatments, such as cryotherapy and intralesional injections, often leads to procedural distress and poor adherence. While local anesthetic creams offer modest relief, their long onset times limit practicality in busy clinical settings. This narrative review explores pharmacologic, procedural, and behavioral techniques to reduce pain during wart treatment, with a focus on strategies adaptable to outpatient dermatology clinics. Studies demonstrate the utility of distraction-based interventions, including immersive virtual reality, video games, music, and simple psychological tools like “blowing away the pain,” in minimizing procedural discomfort during other pediatric procedures. Tactile tools such as vibratory cold devices (e.g., Buzzy™ ), ethyl chloride spray, and pre-procedural icing also show promise. Though limited evidence exists specific to wart treatment, extrapolation from analogous procedures suggests these approaches can significantly improve the pediatric experience. A multimodal pain management plan tailored to each child’s developmental level and clinical setting may reduce procedural distress and improve treatment adherence. Further research is needed to validate these strategies within dermatology and establish consistent pain assessment frameworks.
