Automating Game Progression to Empower Users with Disabilities

With roughly 67% of Americans playing video games [about 211 million people], gaming is an integral part of American culture (Crecente). In the United States, however, “perhaps 2 percent of the population [about 6.3 million people] cannot play computer games because of a disability, and 9 percent [about 28.4 million] can play only at a reduced level” (Garber). Games built for those with disabilities fail in two primary ways: many are designed with educational goals, despite research which shows disabled people want recreational games and they’re designed for very young children, though gaming is most popular in the age range of 18 to 24 (Morris). This thesis stemmed from a desire to create an enjoyable game for this significantly underserved population.Bachelor of Scienc

Dermatological Concerns for Women and Girls With Turner Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with distinct manifestations in women and girls including short stature, cardiac abnormalities, premature ovarian failure as well as dermatological features, including lymphedema, keloids, onychodystrophy, and acne. Although many dermatological concerns present during the first few decades of life, the overwhelming majority of respondents are not provided with dermatology referrals at diagnosis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized an author designed survey to assess self-reported dermatological manifestations, dermatology referral experience, common therapies for select dermatological conditions, as well as a validated 10-question Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to assess quality-of-life impact in women and girls with Turner syndrome. RESULTS: In our cohort, 64% ( DISCUSSION: Our data reveal that skin conditions are highly prevalent in the TS population during the early decades of life and affirm utilizing these conditions in the TS diagnostic process, as well as emphasize the need for specialized dermatology referrals to address the detrimental impacts related to skin concerns on quality of life

Acroangiodermatitis presenting as unilateral hypertrophic verrucous plaques

Acroangiodermatitis (AAD)[KL1] is a rare vasoproliferative disorder often involving the extremities that has been classified into two variants. Mali-type AAD is more common and associated with chronic venous stasis. Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome[KL2], the other variant, is associated with underlying arteriovenous abnormalities. Mali-type AAD is a relatively benign diagnosis but it may mimic more harmful etiologies such as Kaposi sarcoma both clinically and histologically. A 67-year-old woman with a history of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, and obesity presented to our outpatient clinic with verrucous red-brown papules and plaques on her right lower extremity worsening for three years. Biopsy was consistent with a diagnosis of Mali-type AAD. Providers should be aware of AAD and its variants to accurately differentiate it from more harmful entities

Assessing the effectiveness of telephoning positive FOBT patients prior to their colonoscopy on quality of the bowel preparation: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: A good bowel preparation is critical for a successful high-quality colonoscopy. The consequences of poor bowel preparation include missed lesions and the need for a repeat colonoscopy at additional cost to the health care system. Factors affecting the quality of bowel preparation include patient factors (age, sex, comorbidity, language barrier) and type of bowel preparation. Aim: We conducted a double blind randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a dedicated endoscopy nurse telephoning patients 3 days before their colonoscopy on the quality of bowel preparation assessed using the Boston Bowel Prep Score (BBPS). Secondary measures included patient satisfaction and the type of frequently asked questions during the intervention. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited from gastroenterology outpatient clinics based on positive FOBT test results. After obtaining written informed consent, participants were stratified by sex and randomized into 1:1 intervention or control cohorts. A calibration training session on the use of BBPS with all proceduralists took place prior to the study in order to standardize scoring. Inadequate bowel preparation requiring a repeat colonoscopy is indicated by any BBPS sub-score ≤1 out of 3 or a total score ≤ 5 out of 9. Basic demographic details, previous colonoscopy experience, language background, assistance at home, endoscopy location, and timing of the endoscopy session were recorded. The result was analyzed descriptively. The study was approved by the relevant Human Research Ethics Committee and funded by the NSW Cancer Institute. Results: Of 345 eligible patients, 305 were randomized - 141 control and 138 treatment patients who completed the study. Poor bowel preparation requiring a repeat colonoscopy was noted in 9.2% of the control group and 8.7% of the treatment group, a non-significant result (P \u3e 0.05). Interestingly, better bowel preparation was noted in the colonoscopy naïve participants (8.5% v 15.2%) and those in the afternoon session (5.9% vs 11.9%). No statistical significance in bowel preparation quality was found between the variables age, sex, country of birth, language at home, use of interpreter and assistance at home. Conclusions: Having a dedicated nurse telephoning the participants 3 days prior to their colonoscopy to clarify any bowel preparation questions did not significantly reduce the proportion of positive FOBT patients with inadequate preparation

Rhesus negative males have an enhanced IFNγ-mediated immune response to influenza A virus

International audienceThe Rhesus D antigen (RhD) has been associated with susceptibility to several viral infections. Reports suggest that RhD-negative individuals are better protected against infectious diseases and have overall better health. However, potential mechanisms contributing to these associations have not yet been defined. Here, we used transcriptomic and genomic data from the Milieu Interieur cohort of 1000 healthy individuals to explore the effect of Rhesus status on the immune response. We used the rs590787 SNP in the RHD gene to classify the 1000 donors as either RhD-positive or -negative. Whole blood was stimulated with LPS, polyIC, and the live influenza A virus and the NanoString human immunology panel of 560 genes used to assess donor immune response and to investigate sex-specific effects. Using regression analysis, we observed no significant differences in responses to polyIC or LPS between RhD-positive and -negative individuals. However, upon sex-specific analysis, we observed over 40 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between RhD-positive ( n = 384) and RhD-negative males ( n = 75) after influenza virus stimulation. Interestingly these Rhesus-associated differences were not seen in females. Further investigation, using gene set enrichment analysis, revealed enhanced IFNγ signalling in RhD-negative males. This amplified IFNγ signalling axis may explain the increased viral resistance previously described in RhD-negative individuals

The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology: improving cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.

Cosmetic and laser procedures are increasingly popular among patients and are skills in which dermatologists are regarded as well trained. Most dermatology residents intend to incorporate cosmetic procedures into their practice and prefer to learn such procedures during residency through direct patient care. However, there are notable challenges in optimizing how residents are trained in cosmetic and laser dermatology. To address these barriers and elevate the practice of cosmetic dermatology in academic medicine, the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD) was founded in 2021 as the lead professional society for dermatologists who direct the education of resident trainees in cosmetic and laser dermatology. The AACD, a group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology to residents, aims to improve cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy

Needs and Gaps in Resident Trainee Education, Clinical Patient Care, and Clinical Research in Cosmetic Dermatology: Position Statement of the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology.

Cosmetic dermatology is a key subspecialty of academic dermatology. As such, academic centers are expected to demonstrate excellence in the teaching of cosmetic dermatology skills to trainees, the clinical delivery of cosmetic dermatology services to patients, and the performance of clinical research that advances knowledge and uncovers new therapies in cosmetic dermatology. The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD), a newly formed medical professional society, includes as its principal aims the support of all of these areas. AACD is comprised of group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology at US dermatology residency programs. An expert panel constituted by the AACD recently convened a workshop to review gaps pertaining to academic cosmetic dermatology. This panel considered needs and potential corrective initiatives in three domains: resident education, patient experience, and clinical research. The work of the panel was used to develop a roadmap, which was adopted by consensus, and which will serve to guide the AACD moving forward