ID: 218414 Queen Mary University London Postgraduate Certification in Neuromodulation- Accreditation in Neuromodulation

Introduction: There is a distinct unmet need in structured, curriculum based, unbiased education in neuromodulation. Current teaching is through sporadic industry workshops, cadaver courses and peer proctorship. The COVID pandemic has created a unique opportunity where online platforms have enabled education to be delivered remotely in both synchronous and asynchronously. The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK have initiated University based accreditation- Post Graduate Certificate in neuromodulation (PGCert) that provides candidate a qualification in one academic year through part-time study. Method(s): The program underwent rigorous staged university approval process (figure 1). To ensure market feasibility, two short proof of concept CPD programs "Executive Education in Neuromodulation (EEPIN)" were delivered in 2021. These courses attracted 87 candidates across Australia, Singapore, India, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Ireland, and UK. The faculty includes key opinion leaders that will deliver the program ensuring the candidates gain academic background and specialist skills to understand safe practice of neuromodulation. The PGCert advisory board has been established to ensure strict governance in terms of content and unbiased delivery confirming ACCME guidance. In order to obtain PGCert, candidates are required to complete 4 x 15 credit modules (60 credits). The four modules include Anatomy & Neurophysiology;Patient care and Procedurals skills;Devices and available technology;Intrathecal drug delivery for cancer and non-cancer pain. The modular nature of the program is designed to provide cumulative knowledge, from basic science to clinical application in line with the best available evidence. The modules comprise nine lectures, spreading over three consecutive days, followed by a written assignment with 40 direct contact hours in each module. The webpage can be accessed at Results: The anonymous data from EEPIN reported on Likert scale 1-5: Objectives defined 30.6% - 4 and 69.4% -5;Relevance of topics 10.2%- 4 and 89.8% -5;Content of presentations 22.4%- 4 and 77.6% -5;Organization 24.5% -4 and 69.4% -5;Candidate faculty interaction 14.3% -4 and 81.6% -5. 97% of the EEPIN candidates recommended the program to others whilst 81.8% expressed their strong interest to enroll for university-based post graduate qualification if offered. Conclusion(s): This PGcert Neuromodulation is a unique, university accredited program that provides qualification in neuromodulation with access to a flexible online e-learning platform to discuss and exchange ideas, share knowledge in candidate's own time. This will support the ongoing need for formal curriculum-based education in neuromodulation. Disclosure: Kavita Poply, PHD: None, Phillippe Rigoard: None, Jan Kallewaard, MD/PhD: None, FRANK J.P.M. HUYGEN, MD PhD: ABBOTT: Speakers Bureau:, Saluda: Consulting Fee:, Boston Scientific: Consulting Fee:, Grunenthal: Speakers Bureau:, Pfizer: Speakers Bureau:, Ashish Gulve, FRCA, FFPMRCA, FFPMCAI, DPMed, FCARCSI, MD, MBBS: None, Ganesan Baranidharan, FRCA: None, Sam ELDABE, MD, FRCA, FFPMRCA: Medtronic: Consulting Fee:, Medtronic: Contracted Research:, Mainstay Medical: Consulting Fee:, Saluda Medical: Consulting Fee:, Boston Scientific: Contracted Research:, Saluda Medical: Contracted Research:, James Fitzgerald, MA,PhD: St Jude Medical: Consultant: Self, Medtronic: Consulting Fee:, UCB: Contracted Research:, Merck: Contracted Research:, Serge Nikolic, MD: None, Stana Bojanic, BSc MBBS FRCS (SN): Abbott: Contracted Research:, Habib Ellamushi: None, Paresh Doshi, MS MCh: None, Preeti Doshi, MBBS, MD, FRCA: None, Babita Ghai, MBBS, MD, DNB: None, Marc Russo, MD: Presidio Medical: Ownership Interest:, Saluda Medical: Ownership Interest:, Boston Scientific: Contracted Research: Self, Mainstay Medical: Contracted Research: Self, Medtronic: Contracted Research: Self, Nevro: Contracted Research: Self, Saluda Medical: Contracted Research: Self, Presidio Medical: Contracted Research: Self, Freedom Ne ro: Ownership Interest - Own Stocks: Self, Lungpacer: Ownership Interest - Own Stocks: Self, SPR Therapeutics: Ownership Interest - Own Stocks: Self, Lawrence Poree, MD,MPH,PHD: Medtronic: Consulting Fee: Self, Saluda Medical: Contracted Research: Family, Nalu Medical: Contracted Research: Family, Gimer Medical: Consulting Fee: Self, Nalu Medical: Consulting Fee: Self, Saluda Medical: Consulting Fee: Self, Nalu: Ownership Interest:, Saluda Inc: Ownership Interest:, Alia Ahmad: None, Alaa Abd Sayed, MD: Medtronic, Abbott, SPR and StimWave: Consulting Fee:, Salim Hayek, MD,PhD: None, CHRISTOPHER GILLIGAN, MD MBA: Persica: Consulting Fee: Self, Saluda: Consulting Fee: Self, Mainstay Medical: Contracted Research: Self, Sollis Therapeutics: Contracted Research: Self, Iliad Lifesciences, LLC: Owner: individuals with legal ownership in a company:, Vivek Mehta: NoneCopyright © 2023

The impact of patient and public involvement on COVID-19 immunology research: experiences from the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in clinical trial research is recognised as relevant but the active involvement of patients and the public in basic science or laboratory-based research is seen as more challenging and not often reported. PPI within the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK-CIC), a translational research project aimed at tackling some of the key questions about the immune system's response to SARS-CoV-2, is an example of overcoming negative perceptions and obstacles. Given the widespread impact of COVID-19, it was important to consider the impact of UK-CIC research on patients and the public throughout, and the PPI panel were an integral part of the consortium. FINDINGS: Building in funding for a PPI panel to value involvement and ensuring effective expert administrative support and management of PPI were crucial to success. Facilitating relationships and quality interactions between public contributors and researchers required time and commitment to the project from all parties. Through creating a platform and open space to explore diverse views and a wide range of perspectives, PPI was able to influence researchers' ways of thinking about their research and impact future research questions about COVID-19 immunology. Moreover, there was long-term impact from the involvement of the PPI panel in COVID-19 research and their value was reflected in invitations to contribute to additional immunology projects. CONCLUSION: The ability to conduct meaningful PPI with basic immunology research has been shown possible through the UK-CIC in the context of the fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic. The UK-CIC project has laid the foundations for PPI in immunology and this should now be built upon for the advantage of future basic scientific research; PPI can impact greatly on laboratory-based research when given the opportunity to do so.

Can autofluorescence and fluorescence imaging be useful in fight with COVID-19 pandemia?

The entire medical world gathers information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its spread analysis, disease characteristics, morbidity and mortality statistics, as well as factors limiting and promoting infection and severe course, and above all potential treatment options. Scientific research is being carried out on a large scale on methods of early detection of COVID-19 infection, including imaging methods such as computed tomography or ultrasound imaging. The importance of imaging methods is increasingly emphasized in the literature as sensitive and specific, often with greater clinical utility than mass-applied serological tests. Especially in large urban agglomerations such as Silesia, the wide availability of these imaging methods as screening methods in the clinical assessment of potentially infectious patients seems to be important. The literature on the COVID-19 epidemic emphasizes the significant role of integrated diagnostic methods including basic science as well as radiological and endoscopic imaging methods in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and its possible complications. The study presents potential possibilities of using the phenomena of autofuorescence and fluorescence in supporting the diagnosis of patients with suspected COVID-19 infection. The study presents preliminary results of case studies of patients suspected of being infected with COVID-19, and shows the multidimensional application of fluorescent phenomena in supporting diagnostics. One of the main tools used in the study is autofluorescent bronchoscopy as a method that, in synchronization with high resolution tomography analysis, significantly facilitates obtaining representative material for RT-PCR. The study also showed the potential for assessing fluorescent material under fluorescence microscopy, which can significantly facilitate diagnostics in the future and speed up existing screening tests to complement genetic diagnostics.Copyright © 2023

Proceedings of the 10th Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) Annual Conference.

The 10th Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) Annual Conference occurred November 3-5, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland. This conference was the first in-person PeDRA conference after 2 years of a virtual format due to COVID-19. Fittingly, given the effects of the pandemic, the conference theme was "Reimagining Community." The conference included presentations and panel sessions on finding individual and collective purpose, leveraging community in pursuit of a shared goal, and creating a community of resources in collaboration with NIH. The goal of this meeting was to connect clinicians, basic scientists, patients, patient advocates, and industry partners. The reimagined community of pediatric dermatology research is a synergistic space for all members to better understand, prevent, treat, and cure dermatologic diseases and conditions in children. This two-and-a-half-day conference with over 300 attendees featured educational seminars including a keynote address, didactic lecture and panel sessions, skill-building workshops, 13 topic-specific breakout sessions, and an interactive poster session where 108 active and finished research projects could be discussed.

A Perspective on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Basic Science Research and its Future Implications

COVID-19 has emerged as a devastating pandemic of the century that the current genera-tions have ever experienced. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 12 million people around the globe, and 0.5 million people have succumbed to death. Due to the lack of effective vaccines against the COVID-19, several nations throughout the globe have imposed a lock-down as a preventive measure to lower the spread of COVID-19 infection. As a result of lock-down, most of the universities and research institutes have witnessed a long pause in basic science research ever. Much has been discussed about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the economy, tourism, public health, small and large-scale businesses of several kinds. However, the long-term effects of the shut-down of these research labs and their impact on basic science research has not been much focused. Herein, we provide a perspective that portrays a common problem of all the basic science researchers throughout the globe and its long-term consequences.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

CROI 2022: Summary of Basic Science Research in HIV and SARS-CoV-2

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2022, which was held as a virtual conference, continues to serve as the preeminent forum that features research advances in HIV-1 and its associated coinfections. The conference has extended its area of coverage to include research advances in SARS-CoV-2. As pointed out in the presentation from Hatziioannou in the New Investigators workshop, there has been an explosion in research activity on SARS-CoV-2 that has eclipsed that for HIV-1. In the past 12 months, there were approximately 6600 publications on HIV-1 and approximately 64, 000 on SARS-CoV-2. Although these numbers include review articles, they reveal the tremendous response by researchers to the existential threats posed by lentiviruses and coronaviruses. This poses challenges for any conference committee tasked with selecting abstracts for presentation from the large number submitted for consideration. CROI organizers have consistently been able to assemble a program that, through invited presentations, abstract-driven talks, posters, interactive sessions, workshops, and symposia, showcases the most recent research advances.Copyright © 2022, IAS-USA. All rights reserved.

CROI 2021: Summary of Basic Science Research in HIV and SARS-CoV-2

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) serves as one of the most highly visible platforms upon which researchers gather to share the most recent findings on HIV/AIDS and, recently, on SARS-CoV-2 research. Research presentations on the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have become an increasing fixture at the conference since it was first covered at last year's conference. Although CROI 2021 was virtual, the organizers coordinated a seamless platform for presentations and poster sessions that effectively engaged the audience. CROI 2021 had a strong showing in terms of basic science presentations on HIV-1 and on SARS-CoV-2. Highlights included new insights into some of the more elusive steps in the viral replication cycle as well as new findings on immune escape strategies employed by SARS-CoV-2. The new investigator workshop has become a valuable resource that can be used by early stage and established investigators alike to receive state-of-the-art updates on research areas that might be outside their immediate areas of research. The new investigator workshop featured engaging presentations on novel aspects of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 replication, impact of host immunity on HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and approaches to assessing viral reservoir dynamics and strategies for viral reservoir elimination.Copyright © 2021, IAS-USA. All rights reserved.

Exploration and Practice of Electronic, Networked and Intelligent Methods for Basic Medical Science Education to Develop Pathology Interest

Introduction/Objective: In response to the sudden COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has restricted student visas for international students as part of an emergency "zero COVID" plan. As a result of these border closures, most international students enrolled in Chinese medical universities have not returned to campus for more than 2.5 years and have continued their medical education online. Basic medical science study has continued relatively smoothly compared to clinical apprenticeships, which focus more on clinical traineeship and practice. How to turn the crisis caused by the pandemic into an opportunity to improve the level of basic medical science education and level of pathology interest in our school is the topic explored in this paper. Methods/Case Report: The methods proposed in this study include the intelligence of artificial intelligence technology and adaptive teaching tools for teaching students in accordance with their aptitude, interactive microscopic slides and gross pathology recognition methods based on computer graphics technology, and Internet-based group learning and large group discussions. All the advantages of traditional classroom teaching are therefore included and some overcome the shortcomings of traditional classroom teaching. Results (if a Case Study enter NA): Grades in 2019-2020 school year basic medical science courses were obtained. In this school year, the first semester was traditional education on campus and the second semester was online using the method described in this paper. Second semester grades were 17.2% higher than the first. USMLE Step 1 performance was another measured outcome because it focuses on basic science and pathology. A good outcome on this exam was obtained and the teaching method proposed in this paper is verified. Conclusion(s): The author is preparing to expand the sample size to further verify, improve, and perfect the method proposed in this paper, so as to promote the depth and breadth of basic medical education and continuing success from education into success in pathology careers.

CANOPY-N: A phase II study of canakinumab (CAN) or pembrolizumab (PEM), alone or in combination, as neoadjuvant therapy in patients (pts) with resectable stage Ib-IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background: CAN is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits proinflammatory IL-1beta-driven pathways that may play a role in tumor growth in early-stage NSCLC. Preclinical data suggest targeting IL-1beta could decrease inflammation and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Method(s): CANOPY-N (NCT03968419) is a phase II, randomized, open-label study of neoadjuvant CAN, PEM or CAN+PEM in resectable NSCLC. Eligibility: Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC;treatment (tx) naive;ECOG PS 0-1;and eligible for planned resection 4-6 weeks after first dose. Pts were randomized 2:2:1 to the tx arms: CAN, CAN+PEM or PEM. CAN and PEM were both given as two 200 mg doses once every 3 weeks. Primary endpoint: major pathological response (MPR) rate based on central review. Key secondary endpoints: overall response rate (ORR), surgical feasibility rate, and safety. Changes in CD8+ T cell, tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) and regulatory T cell (Treg) levels, among others, were assessed in exploratory biomarker analyses. Result(s): 88 pts enrolled across 3 arms: CAN (n=35), CAN+PEM (n=35) and PEM (n=18). 87 pts completed planned neoadjuvant tx. Four pts did not have surgery: 3 due to disease progression (CAN) and 1 to pt decision (CAN+PEM). MPR rates were 2.9% (CAN), 17.1% (CAN+PEM) and 11.1% (PEM). ORRs were 0% (CAN), 8.6% (CAN+PEM) and 11.1% (PEM). Gr >=3 AEs occurred in 37.1%, 28.6% and 22.2% of pts, of which 0%, 11.4% and 11.1% were tx related, in the CAN, CAN+PEM and PEM arms, respectively. Decreases in TAMs and Tregs were seen in CAN arms whereas increases in CD8+ T cells were seen in PEM arms. Modulations were more pronounced with CAN+PEM (Table). [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): CANOPY-N did not meet the primary endpoint of MPR rate, with minimal clinical efficacy and no increase in CD8+ T cells with CAN alone. No new safety signals were seen. IL-1beta inhibition impacted inflammation and immunosuppression in the TME. Clinical trial identification: CACZ885V2201C / NCT03968419. Editorial acknowledgement: Editorial assistance was provided by Ollie Butlin, MSc of Articulate Science Ltd., and was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Legal entity responsible for the study: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Funding(s): Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Disclosure: T.S.K. Mok: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AbbVie, ACEA Pharma, Alpha Biopharma, Amgen, Amoy Diagnostics, BeiGene, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Daiichi Sankyo, Fishawack Facilitate, InMed Medical Communication, Lunit USA, Inc., Merck Serono, MSD, Roche, MD Health, Medscape/WebMD, PeerVoice, Touch Medical Media, Permanyer SL, Prime Oncology, Research to Practice, Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda, PER, Daz Group, Lucence Health Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutical NV, Jiahui Holdings Co., LiangYiHui Healthcare, Merck Pharmaceuticals HK Ltd, MiRXES, Novartis, OrigiMed Co. Ltd., Pfizer, Shanghai BeBirds Translation & Consulting Co., Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AbbVie, ACEA Pharma, Alpha Biopharma, Amgen, Amoy Diagnostics, BeiGene, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Blueprint Medicines, Berry Oncology, CStone Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Fishawack Facilitate, Eisai, Gritstone Oncology, Guardant Health, G1 Therapeutics, Hengrui, Ignyta, IQVIA, Incyte Corporation, Inivata, Janssen, Loxo Oncology, Qiming Dev., Lunit USA, Inc., Merck Serono, MSD, Roche, Mirati Therapeutics, MoreHealth, Novartis, OrigiMed, Puma Tech., Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda, Virtus Medical, Yuhan, Curio Science, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Covidien LP, C4 Therapeutics, Cirina Ltd., Da Volterrra, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd / Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Lucence Health Inc., Medscape LLC / WebMD, MiRXES, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Pfizer, SFJ Pharmaceutical Ltd., Synergy Research, Tigermed, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Berry Oncology, D3 Bio Ltd., Lakeshore Biotech;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Former known as Hutchison Chi-Med: HutchMed;F nancial Interests, Personal, Officer, Chairman: ACT Genomics-Sanomics Group;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Sanomics Ltd., Biolidics Ltd., Aurora Tele-Oncology, AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares, Former known as Hutchison Chi-Med: HutchMed;Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, For clinical trials performed at CUHK: Merck Serono, AstraZeneca, BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SFJ Pharmaceuticals, XCovery, Takeda, G1 Therapeutics, Clovis Oncology;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: geneDecode;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca, Aurora Tele-Oncology, Lunit USA, Inc., Sanomics Ltd.;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Term ended on 30 June 2022: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO);Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role: Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group (ATORG), Chinese Lung Cancer Research Foundation Limited (CLCRF), Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF), Hong Kong Cancer Therapy Society (HKCTS), St. Stephen's College & Prep. School (Hong Kong);Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Term ended: Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO);Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Term ended on 30 April 2019: International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). M. Tsuboi: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Lecture: Johnson & Johnson Japan;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board, Lectures, Advisory boards: AstraZeneca KK, Chugai Pharmaceutical CO.,LTD, MSD;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Lectures: Eli Lilly Japan, Bristol Myers Squibb KK, Teijin Pharma, Taiho Pharma, Medtronic Japan, ONO Pharmaceutical CO.,LTD;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board, Advisory boards: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Daiichi-Sankyo company limited, MSD, AstraZeneca, Novartis;Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: Beohringer-Ingelheim Japan, MSD, AstraZeneca KK, Ono Pharmaceutical CO.,LTD, Bristol Myers Squibb KK, Novartis;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker: Eli Lilly Japan. J.M. Lee: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Bristol Myers Squibb, Astrazeneca, Roche/Genentech, Novartis;Financial nterests, Personal, Invited Speaker, LCMC3, LCMC4, NAUTIKA-1: Roche/Genentech;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, CANOPY-N, GEOMETRY-1: Novartis. E.S. Kim: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Consulting/Research: Regeneron, Takeda, Novartis. J. Zhang: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biodesix, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cardinal Health, Daiichi Sankyo, Hengrui Therapeutics, Eli Lilly, Mirati, Nexus Health, Novartis, Novocure, Sanofi, Takeda Oncology;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca, MJH Life Sciences, Regeneron, Sanofi;Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, PI and Sponsor: AstraZeneca, Biodesix, Nilogen, Genentech;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker: Hengrui Therapeutics, Mirati, Novartis, Abbvie, BeiGene, Merck;Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, PI, basic science research: Mirati;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology: ASCO;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, American Association for Cancer Research: AACR;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer: IASLC;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network: CAHON. J. Duan: Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. C. Lobetti-Bodoni: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment, Clinical Development Medical Director: Novartis Oncology;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Novartis Oncology;Other, Personal, Other, My husband is a Roche employer: Roche;Other, Personal, Other, My husband had consultancy in the last two years with these companies: Sanofi and Takeda;Other, Personal, Other, My husband ha honoraria in the last 2 years with these companies: Takeda, Jansenn-Cilag Ltd;Other, Personal, Other, My husband owns stock of this company: Harlock Helatcare Consulting Ltd. J.C. Brase: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Novartis. A. Savchenko: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Novartis. P. Garrido Lopez: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Abbvie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda, sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: AstraZeneca, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda, Novartis, IO Biotech;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board, Spouse: Boehringer Ingelheim, Gebro, Janssen, Nordic;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, Spouse: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Data monitoring committee for a clinical trial in 2020: Novartis;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Lung Cancer Medical Education TASC Committee 2021: Janssen;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker: Novartis, Janssen, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Blue print, Apollomics, Amgen, Array Biopharma;Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker, study entitled JNJ-372: Janssen;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Council member as Women for Oncology Committee ChairFellowship and Award Committee and Press CommitteeFaculty for lung and other thoracic tumours: ESMO;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, President of the Spanish Federation of Medical Societies (FACME): FACME;Other, Personal, Other, My son is working in the pharma company TEVA as an engineer. I do not have any kind ofrelationship with TEVA: TEVA;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Former President of Spanish Medical Oncology SocietyMember of the Spanish National Health Advisory Board: SEOM;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Against Cancer Research Foundation (aecc) and also Borad member: AECC;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, IASLC Women in Tho acic Oncology Working Group Member: IASLC. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2022

Innate Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Response in Hemodialysis Patients.

Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) have more inflammatory monocytes and less plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs) compared with healthy controls.Patients on HD who have a poor antibody response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine had fewer monocyte-derived DCs and conventional DCs compared with good responders.The defects in antigen presentation might be possible therapeutic targets to increase vaccine efficacy in HD patients.

Ethical Issues Involving the Development of COVID-19 Vaccines: Role of Vaccine Development, Clinical Trials, and Speed of Peer Review in Dissuading Public Vaccine Hesitancy

Over 60% of the population in the United States received the SARS-Co-V type 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and by Moderna. The pace at which these mRNA vaccines have been developed may be alarming to the public when compared with timelines for the development of traditional vaccines for other diseases, eliciting issues of mistrust. Ethical issues arise regarding the pace of vaccine development and have been described and highlighted by the media. In addition, testing and validation of basic science and clinical findings, combined with potential side effects of the mRNA vaccines have contributed to public mistrust of this particular vaccine platform. Here, we focus on the current ethical concerns involved with vaccine development, identify the ethical concerns that mitigate the role of public vaccine hesitancy and efforts to minimize the role of such issues, and address some of the scientific concerns cited by the public in their hesitancy to obtain the mRNA vaccine. Copyright © 2021 by Begell House, Inc.

ENGAGING HYBRID CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to several challenges, including lower engagement of clerkship students due to the risk of exposure. Our medical school first explored ways of engaging students virtually during the start of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued and rotations resumed in person, the challenge of limited clinical experiences remained for our students. We used what was created for virtual experience and turned it into a long-term hybrid engagement clerkship learning experience for third year and fourth year medical students. DESCRIPTION: The main objective of this project was not only to have an innovative curriculum that provides significant medical education outside of the clinical environment and prepares our students for internal medicine clinical experiences. Secondary objective of this innovative curriculum was to increase interaction between basic sciences and clinical sciences faculty as to meet the accreditation standards. During Internal Medicine rotation, while students are engaged face to face at clinical sites, they are simultaneously engaged in 8 weeks of virtual instruction with topics subdivided into 4 modules (2 weeks each), with one-week assessment breaks in between them. The key feature of the virtual section of our hybrid learning program was using once a week synchronous active learning instructional sessions like team-based learning and clinical skill training. During these sessions an iRAT (individual readiness assessment) quiz as the first assessment each week, based on the asynchronous assignments. Students were continually assessed using team application exercises, which utilized cases modified and derived from professional organizations. By combining discussion and assessment, we were able to engage students and ensure that all topics assigned asynchronously were reviewed during synchronous sessions. Cases were discussed by the dedicated clerkship-specific instructors, one each from clinical and pre-clinical phase, by reviewing quizzes, case discussions, and Aquifer case completion. EVALUATION: The curriculum is currently under pilot implementation phase, but the Kirkpatrick four level model of evaluation, NBME Shelf grades, OSCE performance and internal medicine Level 1 ACGME Milestone proficiency will be utilized for evaluation. DISCUSSION / REFLECTION / LESSONS LEARNED: Students have expressed that the hybrid clerkship experience has made them more comfortable and confident in participating in patient care, performing supervised procedural skills, or even doing routine clinical examinations during their actual face-to-face interactions at the clinical teaching sites. This was corroborated by noticing an improved performance of students in NBME shelf and end of rotation OSCE examinations. This hybrid approach, with closer alignment of objectives between instruction and assessment, ensures a better foundation from which students do better during their face-to-face clerkship rotations.

Pushing the frontiers of military medical excellence: updates, progress and future needs.

Since its establishment in 2014, Military Medical Research has come a long way in becoming a premier journal for scientific articles from various different specialties, with a special emphasis on topics with military relevance. The field of military medicine may be obscure, and may not be readily encountered by the typical clinician on a day-to-day basis. This journal aims not only to pursue excellence in military research, but also keep current with the latest advancements on general medical topics from each and every specialty. This editorial serves to recap and synthesize the existing progress, updates and future needs of military medical excellence, discussing foremostly the unique traits of literature published in this journal, and subsequently presenting the discourse regarding wartime and peacetime medicine, the role of the military in a public health emergency, as well as wound healing and organ regeneration. Special attention have been devoted to military topics to shed light on the effects of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive (CBRE) warfare, environmental medicine and military psychiatry, topics which rarely have a chance to be discussed elsewhere. The interconnectedness between military combat and soldier physical and mental well-being is intricate, and has been distorted by pandemics such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This journal has come a long way since its first article was published, steadily contributing to the existing knowledge pool on general medical topics with a military slant. Only with continuous research and sharing, can we build upon the work of the scientific community, with hopes for the betterment of patient care.

Remote Online Test Anxiety during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study among Medical Students

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forced higher education to adopt e-learning and remote online tests as a kind of assessment that leads to new paradigms. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the medical students' test anxiety toward remote online tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The current cross-sectional study has been conducted in the 2020-2021 academic year. A self-reported online questionnaire was used to investigate the medical students' test anxiety at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The survey consisted of demographic characteristics, including gender, age, and curriculum phase, as well as the validated version of the Sarasons's test anxiety scale in Persian. Results: The findings indicated that the prevalence rates of mild, moderate, and severe test anxiety were 27.9%, 36.9%, and 35.2%, respectively, toward remote online tests. Although the comparison of test anxiety levels showed a statistically significant difference due to gender and age (P<0.05), the difference in test anxiety among the students of basic sciences and preclinical was not significant (P>0.05). Furthermore, the female students' test anxiety was more than that of male students, and participants over 20 years old had higher test anxiety scores (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moderate to severe test anxiety was more common in medical students, which can have devastating effects on the students' academic performance. There is a critical need to recommend anxiety management techniques and bring reforms in e-assessment systems to reduce test anxiety in medical students.

A National Survey Evaluating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Students Pursuing Careers in Neurosurgery

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted medical students (MSs)' educational experience, and this has unclear implications for those pursuing careers in neurosurgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed to MSs and foreign medical graduates (FMGs) residing in the United States who are considering or pursuing careers in neurosurgery. Descriptive statistics comparing MS years were performed. RESULTS: A total of 379 respondents from 67 medical schools completed the survey. Across all participants, 92% (n = 347) have stopped in-person didactic education, and 43% (n = 161) have experienced basic science and 44% (n = 167) clinical research delays. Sixty percent (n = 227) cite a negative impact on academic productivity. Among first year medical students (MS1s), 18% (n = 17) are less likely to pursue a career in neurosurgery. Over half of MS2s and MS3s are likely to delay taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps I and II. Among MS3s, 77% (n = 91) report indefinite postponement of sub-internships, and 43% (n = 53) are unsatisfied with communication from external programs. Many MS4s (50%, n = 17) are graduating early to participate in COVID-19-related patient care. The top student-requested support activities included access to studentfocused educational webinars and studentfocused sessions at upcoming neurosurgical conferences. CONCLUSION: Medical students pursuing careers in neurosurgery have unique academic, career, and personal challenges secondary to the pandemic. These challenges may become opportunities for new initiatives guided by organized neurosurgery and residency programs.

Evaluation of Early Clinical Exposure through Vertical Integration- First Year MBBS Student's Perception

Introduction: Traditional medical curriculum has developed an insurmountable barrier between preclinical and clinical subjects, undermining the significance of basic sciences in clinical contexts. Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) is one such innovative vertical integrated teaching tool which breaks the barrier between basic science learning in preclinical traditional class room and clinical setting. Aims: To assess usefulness to the ECE through vertical integration among medical undergraduate first year MBBS students. To evaluate the perceptions of the medical undergraduate students about the ECE through vertical integration as effective tool of memory retention and skill communication development. Materials and method: It was interventional cross-sectional study in which 250 first year MBBS students had enrolled after taking informed consent, on topic acid base balance and imbalance as basic science correlation conducted in Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Clinical Departments of General Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Paediatrics. Usefulness of ECE as vertical integration assessed by providing pre-test after traditional class room teaching. Post-test was conducted after ECE session. A validated questionnaire was administered through Google form link among phase I medical students of batch 2019 to 2020 after ECE session. Post session feedback from the students was taken by questionnaire graded on likert's scale. Results: The difference between the mean value of the marks obtained by the pre-test compared with post-test using the MCQ assessment tools was found to be statistically significant (p value being <0.05). One hundred and eighty eight students out of the two hundred and fifty answered the questionnaire (97.6%). The dependability of the scale was 0.50 (Cronbach's alpha -0.5). 98.8% students agreed that ECE as an integrated teaching helped in the retention and acquisition of skill /communication of the basic science knowledge to health and disease. Vertical integration was strongly agreed upon as the best method of teaching and learning by 97.6 % on likert scale. Conclusion: Thus, ECE through vertical integration showed efficient new teaching learning method which had positive influence in retaining knowledge and simultaneous gaining of skills. This method will be very useful in its practical implementation during online classes for ECE module in the threat of COVID-19 situation as well.

Expression of ACE2 in the Intact and Acutely Injured Kidney.

Background: The actions of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) oppose those of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. ACE2 may be a cytoprotectant in some tissues. This study examined ACE2 expression in models of AKI. Methods: ACE2 mRNA and protein expression and ACE2 activity were assessed in murine ischemic AKI. Renal ACE2 mRNA expression was evaluated in LPS-induced AKI in wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice, in heme oxygenase-1+/+ and heme oxygenase-1-/- mice, and after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in wild-type mice. The effect of sex and age on renal ACE2 protein expression was also assessed. Results: In ischemic AKI, ACE2 mRNA and protein expression and ACE2 activity were reduced as compared with such indices in the intact kidney. In ischemic AKI, ACE2, which, in health, is prominently expressed in the tubular epithelium, especially proximal tubules, is decreased in expression in these segments. Decreased ACE2 expression in AKI did not reflect reduced GFR, because ACE2 mRNA expression was unaltered after UUO. LPS induced renal ACE2 mRNA expression in wild-type mice, but this effect did not occur in heme oxygenase-1-deficient mice. In ischemic and LPS-induced AKI, renal expression of the Mas receptor was increased. In the intact kidney, renal ACE2 protein expression decreased in female mice as compared with male mice, but was unaltered with age. Conclusion: We conclude that renal ACE2 expression is decreased in ischemic AKI, characterized by decreased GFR and abundant cell death, but is upregulated in LPS-induced AKI, an effect requiring heme oxygenase-1. Determining the significance of ACE2 expression in experimental AKI merits further study. We suggest that understanding the mechanism underlying ACE2 downregulation in AKI may offer insights relevant to COVID-19: ACE2 expression is downregulated after ACE2 mediates SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry; such downregulation is proinflammatory; and AKI commonly occurs and determines outcomes in COVID-19.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Urinary Cells Reveals Distinct Cellular Diversity in COVID-19-Associated AKI.

Background: AKI is a common sequela of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and contributes to the severity and mortality from COVID-19. Here, we tested the hypothesis that kidney alterations induced by COVID-19-associated AKI could be detected in cells collected from urine. Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) on cells recovered from the urine of eight hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with (n=5) or without AKI (n=3) as well as four patients with non-COVID-19 AKI (n=4) to assess differences in cellular composition and gene expression during AKI. Results: Analysis of 30,076 cells revealed a diverse array of cell types, most of which were kidney, urothelial, and immune cells. Pathway analysis of tubular cells from patients with AKI showed enrichment of transcripts associated with damage-related pathways compared with those without AKI. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression was highest in urothelial cells among cell types recovered. Notably, in one patient, we detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in urothelial cells. These same cells were enriched for transcripts associated with antiviral and anti-inflammatory pathways. Conclusions: We successfully performed scRNAseq on urinary sediment from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 to noninvasively study cellular alterations associated with AKI and established a dataset that includes both injured and uninjured kidney cells. Additionally, we provide preliminary evidence of direct infection of urinary bladder cells by SARS-CoV-2. The urinary sediment contains a wealth of information and is a useful resource for studying the pathophysiology and cellular alterations that occur in kidney diseases.

Blue Skies research is essential for ending the Tuberculosis pandemic and advancing a personalized medicine approach for holistic management of Respiratory Tract infections.

OBJECTIVES: Investments into 'Blue Skies' fundamental TB research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have not been forthcoming. We highlight why blue skies research will be essential for achieving global TB control and eradicating TB. METHODS: We review the historical background to early TB discovery research and give examples of where investments into basic science and fundamental 'blue skies research' are delivering novel data and approaches to advance diagnosis, management and holistic care for patients with active and latent TB infection. FINDINGS: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that making available adequate funding for priority investments into 'Blue skies research' to delineate scientific understanding of a new infectious diseases threat to global health security can lead to rapid development and rollout of new diagnostic platforms, treatments, and vaccines. Several advances in new TB diagnostics, new treatments and vaccine development are underpinned by basic science research. CONCLUSIONS: Blue Skies research is required to pave the way for a personalized medicine approach for management of TB and other Respiratory Tract Infections and preventing long-term functional disability. Transfer of skills and resources by wealthier nations is required to empower researchers in LMICs countries to engage in and lead Blue Skies research.