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ITPR1-associated spinocerebellar ataxia with craniofacial features--additional evidence for germline mosaicism [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type 1 (ITPR1) is an endoplasmic reticulum–bound intracellular inositol triphosphate receptor involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium. Pathogenic variants in ITPR1 are associated with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 15/16 and 29 and have recently been implicated in a facial microsomia syndrome. In this report, we present a family with three affected individuals found to have a heterozygous missense c.800C > T (predicted p.Thr267Met) who present clinically with a SCA29-like syndrome. All three individuals presented with varying degrees of ataxia, developmental delay, and apparent intellectual disability, as well as craniofacial involvement—an uncommon finding in patients with SCA29. The variant was identified using clinical exome sequencing and validated with Sanger sequencing. It is presumed to be inherited via parental germline mosaicism. We present our findings to provide additional evidence for germline mosaic inheritance of SCA29, as well as to expand the clinical phenotype of the syndrome.




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The importance of escalating molecular diagnostics in patients with low-grade pediatric brain cancer [PRECISION MEDICINE IN PRACTICE]

Pilocytic astrocytomas are the most common pediatric brain tumors, typically presenting as low-grade neoplasms. We report two cases of pilocytic astrocytoma with atypical tumor progression. Case 1 involves a 12-yr-old boy with an unresectable suprasellar tumor, negative for BRAF rearrangement but harboring a BRAF p.V600E mutation. He experienced tumor size reduction and stable disease following dabrafenib treatment. Case 2 describes a 6-yr-old boy with a thalamic tumor that underwent multiple resections, with no actionable driver detected using targeted next-generation sequencing. Whole-genome and RNA-seq analysis identified an internal tandem duplication in FGFR1 and RAS pathway activation. Future management options include FGFR1 inhibitors. These cases demonstrate the importance of escalating molecular diagnostics for pediatric brain cancer, advocating for early reflexing to integrative whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomic profiling when targeted panels are uninformative. Identifying molecular drivers can significantly impact treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.




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Propranolol in anxiety: poor evidence for efficacy and toxicity in overdose




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Reclaiming holistic medicine




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Medicines prescribed elsewhere: don’t forget to record them in the GP record!




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Can’t prescribe, can’t dispense: the challenge of medicine shortages




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Cross-Sectional Study of Cesarean Delivery and Safety Culture by Family Medicine Presence [Annals Journal Club]




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New Tools Take Whole-Person Approach to Obesity Care [Family Medicine Updates]




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PBRNs: Past, Present, and Future: A NAPCRG Report on the Practice-Based Research Network Conference. [Family Medicine Updates]




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Impact of Health Equity Fellowships [Family Medicine Updates]




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The Changing Role of a Chair and DA: Follow-Up from the 2023 ADFM Annual Conference Session [Family Medicine Updates]




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Guidance and Resources for Family Medicine Scholarship [Family Medicine Updates]




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Using the Electronic Health Record to Facilitate Patient-Physician Relationship While Establishing Care [Innovations in Primary Care]




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Family Medicine Resident Scholarly Activity Infrastructure, Output, and Dissemination: A CERA Survey [Original Research]

PURPOSE

Meeting scholarly activity requirements continues to be a challenge in many family medicine (FM) residency programs. Studies comprehensively describing FM resident scholarship have been limited. We sought to identify institutional factors associated with increased scholarly output and meeting requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

OBJECTIVES

Our goals were to: (1) describe scholarly activity experiences among FM residents compared with ACGME requirements; (2) classify experiences by Boyer’s domains of scholarship; and (3) associate experiences with residency program characteristics and scholarly activity infrastructure.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey. The survey questions were part of an omnibus survey to FM residency program directors conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA). All ACGME-accredited US FM residency program directors, identified by the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, were sampled.

RESULTS

Of the 691 eligible program directors, 298 (43%) completed the survey. The respondents reported that 25% or more residents exceeded ACGME minimum output, 17% reported that 25% or more residents published their work, and 50% reported that 25% or more residents delivered conference presentations. Programs exceeding ACGME scholarship requirements exhibit robust infrastructure characterized by access to faculty mentorship, scholarly activity curricula, Institutional Review Board, medical librarian, and statistician.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the need for codified ACGME requirements for scholarly activity infrastructure to ensure access to resources in FM residency programs. By fostering FM resident engagement in scholarly activity, programs help to create a culture of inquiry, and address discrepancies in funding and output among FM residency programs.




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A Few Doctors Will See Some of You: The Critical Role of Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Family Physicians in the Care of Medicaid Beneficiaries [Original Research]

PURPOSE

Despite being key to better health outcomes for patients from racial and ethnic minority groups, the proportion of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) physicians remains low in the US health care system. This study linked a nationally representative sample of family physicians (FPs) with Medicaid claims data to explore the relative contributions to care of Medicaid populations by FP race and ethnicity.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study used 2016 Medicaid claims data from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System and from 2016-2017 American Board of Family Medicine certification questionnaire responses to examine the diversity and Medicaid participation of FPs. We explored the diversity of FP Medicaid patient panels and whether they saw ≥150 beneficiaries in 2016. Using logistic regression models, we controlled for FP demographics, practice characteristics, and characteristics of the communities in which they practiced.

RESULTS

Of 13,096 FPs, Latine, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin (LHS) FPs and non-LHS Black FPs saw more Medicaid beneficiaries compared with non-LHS White and non-LHS Asian FPs. The patient panels of URiM FPs had a much greater proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries from racial and ethnic minority groups. Overall, non-LHS Black and LHS FPs had greater odds of seeing ≥150 Medicaid beneficiaries in 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings clearly show the critical role URiM FPs play in caring for Medicaid beneficiaries, suggesting physician race and ethnicity are correlated with Medicaid participation. Diversity in the health care workforce is essential for addressing racial health inequities. Policies need to address problems in pathways to medical education, including failures to recruit, nurture, and retain URiM students.




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Family Medicine Presence on Labor and Delivery: Effect on Safety Culture and Cesarean Delivery [Original Research]

PURPOSE

Currently, 40% of counties in the United States do not have an obstetrician or midwife, and in rural areas the likelihood of childbirth being attended to by a family medicine (FM) physician is increasing. We sought to characterize the effect of the FM presence on unit culture and a key perinatal quality metric in Iowa hospital intrapartum units.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, we surveyed Iowa physicians, nurses, and midwives delivering intrapartum care at hospitals participating in a quality improvement initiative to decrease the incidence of cesarean delivery. We linked respondents with their hospital characteristics and outcomes data. The primary outcome was the association between FM physician, obstetrician (OB), or both disciplines’ presence on labor and delivery and hospital low-risk, primary cesarean delivery rate. Unit culture was compared by hospital type (FM-only, OB-only, or Both).

RESULTS

A total of 849 clinicians from 39 hospitals completed the survey; 13 FM-only, 11 OB-only, and 15 hospitals with both. FM-only hospitals were all rural, with <1,000 annual births. Among hospitals with <1,000 annual births, births at FM-only hospitals had an adjusted 34.3% lower risk of cesarean delivery (adjusted incident rate ratio = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52-.0.98) compared with hospitals with both. Nurses endorsed unit norms more supportive of vaginal birth and stronger safety culture at FM-only hospitals (P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Birthing hospitals staffed exclusively by FM physicians were more likely to have lower cesarean rates and stronger nursing-rated safety culture. Both access and quality of care provide strong arguments for reinforcing the pipeline of FM physicians training in intrapartum care.




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Family Medicine Obstetrics: Answering the Call [Editorials]




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Large-scale education in respiratory medicine: content versus delivery

The respiratory literature, both written and in online formats, is growing exponentially. Capturing quality content, to meet the learning needs of those working in all fields of respiratory medicine and delivering it in a palatable, accessible format is challenging but paramount. In this article we discuss ways to determine the information content and review different methods of delivering this content to those who need it.





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New research to better understand the biological factors of suicidal behaviour

New research to better understand the biological factors of suicidal behaviour Researchers at the University of Glasgow are embarking on two new PhD projects to better understand the impact that biological factors may have on suicidal behaviour.




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RPG Cast – Episode 566: “Unsolicited Dik-Dik Pics”

Anna Marie Privitere gets de-wormed but has to tell Chris to stop helping. Phil Willis is not at all biased about musous. Kelley Ryan is all about the DMCAs. But Alex Fuller saw all of this coming.

The post RPG Cast – Episode 566: “Unsolicited Dik-Dik Pics” appeared first on RPGamer.




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The astrophysicist who may be about to discover how the universe began

Astronomer Jo Dunkley is planning to use the Simons Observatory to snare evidence for inflation, the theory that the universe expanded at incredible speed after its birth




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The astrophysicist unravelling the origins of supermassive black holes

How did the supermassive black holes we’re now seeing in the early universe get so big so fast? Astrophysicist Sophie Koudmani is using sophisticated galaxy simulations to figure it out




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Social media companies change their policies in the wake of bad press

Between 2005 and 2021, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube were more likely to make policy changes in the weeks after negative stories in the media




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The AI expert who says artificial general intelligence is nonsense

Artificial intelligence has more in common with ants than humans, says Neil Lawrence. Only by taking a more nuanced view of intelligence can we see how machines will truly transform society




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Forcing people to change their passwords is officially a bad idea

A US standards agency has issued new guidance saying organisations shouldn’t require users to change their passwords periodically – advice that is backed up by decades of research




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Trump Is the Most Resilient Politician in U.S. History

Unknown host Charlie Stone analyzes Trump's unprecedented victory with Obama Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson




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Artificial intelligence is being used in university classes. How it's being used matters, say profs

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in university classrooms, some professors are weighing the benefits — and downsides — of students using it for research projects.



  • News/Canada/Nova Scotia

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Can the free market ensure artificial intelligence won't wipe out human workers?

People keep predicting that each wave of new technology will mean humans can put their feet up. It hasn't happened yet. Some economists and anthropologists who study the subject say even with the arrival of artificial intelligence, humans will remain integral to making the world go round.




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This pediatrician has a stark warning about the risks of 'anti-science'

A pediatrician, author and co-inventor of a low-cost COVID-19 vaccine warns that the anti-vaccine movement has morphed into a political force that threatens the world's gains against deadly childhood infections like measles.




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'Free, fair and fast': Officials quietly begin certifying presidential election results

Local officials are beginning to certify the results of this year's presidential election in a process that, so far, has been playing out quietly, in stark contrast to the tumultuous certification period four years ago that followed then-President Donald Trump's loss.




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Trump appoints Musk, Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Tesla founder Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will a new Department of Government Efficiency, a White House office given the task of cutting the federal budget.





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Comet visible from Earth for first time in 80,000 years: 'Most anticipated comet of the year'

A comet that has not been seen for more than 80,000 years is expected to be visible from Earth, potentially during two separate time periods in the next month.



  • 9eaf4d42-3c83-5843-833b-4a18a782015c
  • fnc
  • Fox News
  • fox-news/science
  • fox-news/science/air-and-space
  • fox-news/world/environment/atmosphere
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Physicists Find Evidence for Superfluidity in Low-Density Neutron Matter

An accurate description of low-density nuclear matter is crucial for explaining the physics of neutron star crusts, according to a team of theoretical physicists led by Argonne National Laboratory’s Dr. Alessandro Lovato.

The post Physicists Find Evidence for Superfluidity in Low-Density Neutron Matter appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.




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CBD shows promise as pesticide for mosquitoes

Mosquito larvae die after consuming hemp leaves because they react strongly to the cannabidiol in the foliage. The discovery might lead to the development of a new pesticide to control mosquito numbers




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Nobel prize for medicine goes to the pair who discovered microRNA

The 2024 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine has gone to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery that tiny pieces of RNA called microRNAs play a key role in controlling genes




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Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump's Department of Government Efficiency

President-elect Trump announced that billionaire Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency.



  • a0045cd3-fe44-50ed-acca-165a6e6f0b31
  • fnc
  • Fox News
  • fox-news/person/elon-musk
  • fox-news/person/vivek-ramaswamy
  • fox-news/politics/executive/white-house
  • fox-news/politics/elections/presidential/trump-transition
  • fox-news/person/donald-trump
  • fox-news/politics
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Montana officials investigating new outbreak of Salmonella infections at schools

Montana public health officials are investigating an outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella. The Cascade City-County Health Department in Great Falls is reporting that six students at Sacajawea and Valley View elementary schools have tested positive for the pathogen. A staff member at another school has also tested positive. There... Continue Reading




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Allies providing Sudan's warring parties with weapons are 'enabling the slaughter,' UN official says




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After Decades of Searching, Are Physicists Closing In on Dark Matter?

With no conclusive laboratory results, researchers are turning to other methods to find the elusive substance




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From Prolonging Wallaby Pregnancies to Disorienting Hatchling Turtles, 11 Ways Artificial Lights Affect Animals

From the busy cities to ocean waters, our need to illuminate the world has had some strange and tragic consequences




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Law enforcement operation takes down 22,000 malicious IP addresses worldwide

Operation Synergia II took aim at phishing, ransomware, and information stealing.




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Donald Trump's Administration Takes Shape After 15 Official or Expected Picks


President-elect Donald Trump has made many selections to lead his administration as his transition gets underway, ranging from chief of staff to head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At the same time, a number of crucial positions have yet to be filled just one week removed from the landslide election.

The post Donald Trump’s Administration Takes Shape After 15 Official or Expected Picks appeared first on Breitbart.




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Donald Trump Selects Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to 'Lead the Department of Government Efficiency'


President-elect Donald Trump announced he has picked Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk and entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to "lead the Department of Government Efficiency."

The post Donald Trump Selects Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to ‘Lead the Department of Government Efficiency’ appeared first on Breitbart.




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‘Ice Age 6’ is officially in production with Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, and John Leguizamo to reprise roles

The announcement was made in a video unveiled at Disney’s D23 event in Brazil, featuring the returning stars in a reveal




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Trump taps Musk to lead a 'Department of Government Efficiency' with Ramaswamy

President-elect Trump announced a "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE, that will be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, focused on shrinking the federal government.




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Amazon reportedly wants drivers to wear AR glasses for improved efficiency until robots can take over

Amazon is reportedly developing smart glasses for its delivery drivers, according to sources who spoke to Reuters. These glasses are intended to cut “seconds” from each delivery because, well, productivity or whatever. Sources say that they are an extension of the pre-existing Echo Frames smart glasses and are known by the internal code Amelia.

These seconds will be shaved off in a couple of ways. First of all, the glasses reportedly include an embedded display to guide delivery drivers around and within buildings. They will allegedly also provide drivers with “turn-by-turn navigation” instructions while driving. Finally, wearing AR glasses means that drivers won’t have to carry a handheld GPS device. You know what that means. They’ll be able to carry more packages at once. It’s a real mitzvah.

I’m being snarky, and for good reason, but there could be some actual benefit here. I’ve been a delivery driver before and often the biggest time-sink is wandering around labyrinthine building complexes like a lost puppy. I wouldn’t have minded a device that told me where the elevator was. However, I would not have liked being forced to wear cumbersome AR glasses to make that happen.

To that end, the sources tell Reuters that this project is not an absolute certainty. The glasses could be shelved if they don’t live up to the initial promise or if they’re too expensive to manufacture. Even if things go smoothly, it’ll likely be years before Amazon drivers are mandated to wear the glasses. The company is reportedly having trouble integrating a battery that can last a full eight-hour shift and settling on a design that doesn’t cause fatigue during use. There’s also the matter of collecting all of that building and neighborhood data, which is no small feat.

Amazon told Reuters that it is “continuously innovating to create an even safer and better delivery experience for drivers” but refused to comment on the existence of these AR glasses. "We otherwise don’t comment on our product roadmap,” a spokesperson said.

The Echo Frames have turned out to be a pretty big misfire for Amazon. The same report indicates that the company has sold only 10,000 units since the third-gen glasses came out last year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-reportedly-wants-drivers-to-wear-ar-glasses-for-improved-efficiency-until-robots-can-take-over-174910167.html?src=rss




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Elon Musk will lead a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency,’ Donald Trump says

President-elect Donald Trump has named Elon Musk as the leader of a new “Department of Government Efficiency," that will “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” The Tesla CEO and owner of X will spearhead the effort along with former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump announced in a statement on Truth Social.

The scope of the role isn’t exactly clear. Trump’s press release said that “the Department of Government Efficiency will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” It also stated that “their work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.”

Musk shared the news on X, but didn’t indicate how the role might impact his obligations at his various other companies. Musk, who poured millions of dollars into Super Pac boosting Trump’s campaign, has previously talked about his desire to work with Trump to cut government spending. He did, however, joke about potential "merch" for the operation. "Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of 'DOGE' for a very long time," Trump's statement said. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-will-lead-a-new-department-of-government-efficiency-donald-trump-says-015521217.html?src=rss




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27 000$ dérobés à Hydro-Québec: un avocat de Laval a volé de l’électricité pendant 14 ans

Un avocat de Laval épinglé pour son compteur d’Hydro-Québec trafiqué qui lui a fait économiser près de 27 000$ d’électricité devra payer une amende.