Meeting Of Association Research Articles

Canadian Rheumatology Association Annual Meeting, February 2-5, 2022.

The 76th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Rheumatology Association was held virtually on February 2-5, 2022. The program consisted of presentations covering original research, symposia, awards, and lectures. Highlights of the meeting include the following 2022 Award Winners: Distinguished Rheumatologist, John G. Hanly and Lori B. Tucker; Distinguished Teacher-Educator, Stephen Aaron; Emerging Investigator, Jessica Widdifield; Ian Watson Award for the Best Abstract on SLE Research by a Trainee, Maher Banjari; Phil Rosen Award for the Best Abstract on Clinical or Epidemiology Research by a Trainee, Molly Dushnicky; Best Abstract by a Rheumatology Resident, Wen Qi; Best Abstract on Basic Science Research by a Trainee, Omar Cruz Correa; Best Abstract by a Post-Graduate Research Trainee, Holly Philpott; Best Abstract on Quality Care Initiatives in Rheumatology, Michael Zeeman; Best Abstract by a Medical Student, Samir Magdy Iskander; Best Abstract by an Undergraduate Student, Daniel Onwuka; Best Abstract by a Rheumatology Post-Graduate Research Trainee, Jennifer Lee; Best Abstract on Research by Young Faculty, Nancy Maltez; Best Abstract on Pediatric Research by Young Faculty, Chelsea DeCoste; Best Abstract on Spondyloarthritis Research, Vanessa Ocampo; Practice Reflection Award, Gold, Bailey Dyck. Lectures and other events included: Keynote Lecture by Grace Wright: Towards Equity: Is Everyone in the Rheum Paving the Path to Equity with Diversity?; State of the Art Lecture by Tuhina Neogi: Pain Across the Spectrum of Rheumatic Diseases; Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture by Simon Carette: Vasculitis: What Have We Learned in the Past 50 Years?; and the Great Debate: Be it Resolved that the Rheumatology Healthcare Provider Is Responsible for Prescribing and Monitoring Physical Activity. Arguing for: Claire LeBlanc and Laura Passalent, and against: Arthur Bookman and Marie Clements-Baker. Topics including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and their respective diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes are reflected in the abstracts, which we are pleased to publish in this issue of The Journal of Rheumatology.

32nd Meeting of the European Association for Diabetic Eye Complications (EAsDEC) Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 26th - 28th May 2022.

32nd Meeting of the European Association for Diabetic Eye Complications (EAsDEC) Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 26th - 28th May 2022.

Moveable Gardens: Itineraries and Sanctuaries of Memory ed. by Virginia D. Nazarea and Terese V. Gagnon

Reviewed by: Moveable Gardens: Itineraries and Sanctuaries of Memory ed. by Virginia D. Nazarea and Terese V. Gagnon Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo Virginia D. Nazarea and Terese V. Gagnon (Eds.) Moveable Gardens: Itineraries and Sanctuaries of Memory. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2021, pp. 301. (ISBN-13: 978-0-8165-4221-5 paperback) This edited book represents the latest efforts of anthropologists to understand how a wide variety of displacements (war, migration, precarity, late capitalist modernity and so on) lead people to re-engage with plant life in ways that create meaning and sustain biodiversity. The book offers a series of examinations into how quotidian practices of gardening, seed saving, and cooking serve as ways to restore a sense of social and cultural continuity, and to connect the lost past with newly found lives and places. The introductory chapter, written by the editors Virginia D. Nazarea and Terese V. [End Page 215] Gagnon, offers a beautifully written overview of the approach. They remind us that biodiversity “thrives best in marginal places, those small out-of-the way spaces where a sense of identity can be drawn from assemblages of plants and other cohabitants” (p. 3). What happens when this sort of life is disrupted? The book tackles this question in two sections, one with a series of chapters exploring “itineraries,” which is about plant-human engagements in movement, and one focused on Sanctuaries, more emplaced efforts of belonging. The volume is firmly rooted in anthropology and began as a session at the 2017 American Anthropological Association meetings. Yet this journal has decided to have it reviewed since it will be of interest to geographers and Latin Americanists. Foundational references include debates on the topic of multispecies relationships and ontological challenges, such as those by Ann Lowenhaupt Tsing (2015), and Donna Haraway (2016). Some relevant concepts and phrases that will surely become increasingly relevant emotional anchors for us all in this climate crisis era are “ecological grief,” “global mourning,” and “ecological memory” (p. 11). At this moment, there is probably not a reader who has not personally experienced some semblance of these feelings and practices. Some commentators maintain that edited books are always uneven in content and quality. I think a more accurate rendition of this old saw is that we, as readers, always gravitate to some chapters more than others. Space does not allow me to comment on all of the twelve chapters, so I will just discuss a few of my favorites. The first substantive chapter, by Terese Gagnon offers an excellent close-up ethnographic view of Karen refugees who have fled the mountain regions of southeast Myanmar for upstate New York. Engagement with the “materiality of biodiversity” (p. 19), in the form of tending gardens, preparing and eating homeland foods and foraging for food plants allows them to hold on to identity and collective memory, but it is not seamless, as the Karen refugees want to do this on their own terms. For instance, they refuse to garden in raised beds, a common structure in urban community gardens, but one which they experience as foreign, unnatural and distant from the earth. For various reasons, as Gagnon explains, the refuge is liminal and the sanctuary remains shaky. Another fascinating discussion is provided by Guntra A. Aistara’s chapter, Tomatoes Out of Time. Here the focus shifts to how post-socialist European governments establish biopolitical regimes to regulate tomatoes, which can be seen as “alien invaders” and carriers of disease. In this scenario, “multi-species biopolitics” is under state jurisdiction and clashes with cultural memory and traditional seed and plant practices. The section on emplaced sanctuaries includes fascinating looks at particular food, kitchen and eating practices, but a notable chapter is provided by Tracey Heatherington’s examination of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen, Norway. The seeds of the world, or more accurately, the secondary back up samples of these seeds, are stored here in air tight packages enveloped in non-descript boxes. Sci-fi futurism is already here, in the form of this seed warehouse located in the middle of a permafrost zone, and this chapter imaginatively includes a [End Page 216] comparative analysis of how two classic...

The Making of Index Numbers in the Early 1920s: A Closer Look at the Fisher-Mitchell Debate

Abstract The systematic emergence of the test approach to index numbers took place in the early 1920s, a period marked by pluralism in American economics. Promoted by Irving Fisher, the test approach to index numbers aimed to select a universally valid, ideal formula for index numbers by employing a series of mathematical tests. However, from the first presentation of Fisher's approach, at the 1920 Annual Meeting of the American Statistical Association, to the publication of his book The Making of Index Numbers, in 1922, he faced a series of criticisms, not addressed to his ideal formula per se, but rather aimed at the very idea that a universal formula for index numbers could be singled out. The most prominent individuals involved in this debate were Wesley Mitchell, Warren Persons, Correa Walsh (Fisher's only supporter), and Allyn Young. Among them, the foremost representative of Fisher's antagonists was Mitchell. This study aims at reconstructing this antagonism, arguing that the disagreements between Fisher and Mitchell resulted from their different backgrounds and their distinct understandings of economics as a science. More specifically, this article illustrates how Fisher, as a mathematical economist, privileged a universalist conception of science, while Mitchell, as an institutionalist, understood economics as a contextual and historical discipline, and it illustrates how these preconceptions spilled over to their debates on index numbers. To illuminate such positions, this study explores their archival correspondence.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MAINSTREAM AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN A RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, MALAYSIA

<p>Communication in an organization such as the school is important, especially the social and working communication among teachers. When communication among the teachers is effective, there would be a collaboration between them in work, especially when implementing the school curricular and co-curricular programmes successfully. In schools where there are two educational streams; the mainstream and the Special Education Integration Programme, it is vital that effective communication is given priority. This study describes and discusses the characteristics of work and social communication between the Special Education teachers and the mainstream teachers of a local rural primary school in Selangor, Malaysia. Four teachers from each stream were selected as respondents for the study. The findings revealed that there appeared to be good teachers’ communication from both streams. These teachers have collaborated in executing their tasks and they have developed a good rapport and effective communication in other fields of work as well such as co-curricular activities and other school activities such as the Parents Teacher Association meetings and Staff developments and sports. The findings through interviews with the teacher respondents and documents showed that the teachers have practiced their social intelligence, have used their interpersonal communication skills and have adopted a social network, ‘WhatsApp’ application in their communication in school. The school administrator has played its part too in establishing effective communication between superiors and subordinates.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0737/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Depression in internal medicine inpatients at the time of hospital discharge and referral to primary care

Background and objectivesThis is the first multi-center study intended to document the prevalence, characteristics, and associations of depression in Medicine patients at the time of hospital discharge and their referral to Primary Care (PC). MethodsAdult patients randomly selected among consecutive admissions to Medicine wards in 8 hospitals in Spain, covering health districts, were examined in a two-phase 'case-finding' procedure. Standardized, Spanish versions of instruments were used, including the Standardized Polyvalent Psychiatric Interview (SPPI) and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Cases of depression were diagnosed according to ICD-10 general hospital research criteria. ResultsThree hundred and twelve patients with treatable depression and 777 non-depressed controls were identified. In a conservative estimate, the global prevalence of major depression was 7.1%, dysthymia 4.2% and adjustment depression 7.1%, and 51.9% of cases were of moderate/ severe intensity. Depression was more frequent in women, the differences being significant in all categories of depression. The prevalence of depression was lower in individuals aged 85 or more years, the differences being significant in cases of both dysthymia and adjustment depression. A clear pattern of decreasing prevalence with age was observed in women. The depressed had as an average five medical systems affected, and higher CIRS scores compared with the controls, the differences being significant in cases of both major depression and dysthymia. ConclusionsThis is the first report showing a considerable prevalence of treatable cases of depression in Medicine patients at the time of hospital discharge and referral to PC. Depression is associated with the severity of the medical condition, and differences observed by age and sex have clinical implications. Paper read at the 3rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Nuremberg 2015.

Hereditary Pancreatitis-25 Years of an Evolving Paradigm: Frank Brooks Memorial Lecture 2021.

The identification of the genetic basis of hereditary pancreatitis in 1996 confirmed the critical role of trypsinogen in this disease and opened a new avenue of research on pancreatitis-associated genetic risk factors and their mechanism of action. Through the following 25 years, the ensuing discoveries fundamentally changed our understanding of pancreatitis pathogenesis, clarified the role of trypsinogen autoactivation in disease onset and progression, and set the stage for future therapeutic interventions. This Frank Brooks Memorial Lecture was delivered on November 4, 2021, at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Pancreatic Association, held in Miami Beach, Florida.

The 32nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pediatric Orthopaedic Association

The 32nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pediatric Orthopaedic Association

On The 63rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association of Educational Psychology

On The 63rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association of Educational Psychology

Ask a Political Scientist: A Conversation with Cynthia Enloe about Gender and Global Politics

Ask a Political Scientist: A Conversation with Cynthia Enloe about Gender and Global Politics

Doran H. Ross

Doran H. Ross

Abstracts

Cancer ScienceVolume 113, Issue S1 p. 1-1874 ABSTRACTSOpen Access Abstracts First published: 25 February 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/cas.15292AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume113, IssueS1Special Issue: Abstracts of the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Cancer Association; 2021 Sep 30 ‐ Oct 2; Yokohama, JapanFebruary 2022Pages 1-1874 RelatedInformation

Reclaiming public spaces: The case for the built environment as a restorative tool in neighborhoods with high levels of community violence.

Early-life exposure to neighborhood violence can negatively affect children's socioemotional development and long-term health outcomes. Community-level interventions that modify the built environment to facilitate social encounters can have a positive impact on health. An example of such interventions is the building of green spaces and playgrounds. This case study describes collaboration among residents, local organizations, and a university that aimed to increase the utilization of a vacant lot by converting it into a green space with a playground. Informal conversations at volunteer gatherings and neighborhood association meetings indicated a positive impact of this project in the community. We propose a model for future program implementation and research to improve health in disinvested and disordered communities. We conclude that more research is needed on community partnerships that modify the built environment to decrease community violence. Community-based participatory research may be successful in evaluating future projects with this goal.

Greetings From the Editor of Clinical Thyroidology

Clinical ThyroidologyVol. 34, No. 1 Greetings from the EditorFree AccessGreetings From the Editor of Clinical ThyroidologyAngela M. LeungAngela M. LeungSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:4 Jan 2022https://doi.org/10.1089/ct.2022;34.4-5AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail DEAR COLLEAGUES,Happy new year! We're pleased to ring in the new year with this first issue of 2022. I'm particularly thrilled to introduce the newest members of our editorial board, toward the mission of continually providing a diverse set of perspectives, areas of focus, and commentaries to the literature we review. Please join me in welcoming our newest experts to the Clinical Thyroidology editorial board: Dr. Sara Ahmadi, Brigham and Women's Hospital, U.S.A.Dr. Takashi Akamizu, Kuma Hospital, Japan.Dr. Lindsay Bischoff, Vanderbilt University, U.S.A.Dr. Kenneth Burman, Georgetown University, U.S.A.Dr. Mayumi Endo, University of Washington, U.S.A.Dr. Natalia Genere, Washington University, U.S.A.Dr. Giorgio Grani, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyDr. Allen Ho, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, U.S.A.Dr. Joana Klubo-Gwiezdzinska, National Institutes of Health, U.S.A.Dr. Anupam Kotwal, University of Nebraska Medical Center, U.S.ADr. Elizabeth McAninch, Stanford University Medical Center, U.S.A.Dr. Alex Tessnow, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, U.S.A.In this issue, we begin with Dr. Gary Francis reviewing a study that examines the associations between thyroid disorders in adolescence and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood. Is there good news for those waiting for a thyroid hormone treatment that can maintain sustained serum T3 concentrations? Dr. Elizabeth McAninch discusses a Phase 1 clinical trial of PZL, a new compound that shows promise to do just that. Addressing the topic of hyperthyroidism, Drs. Matthew Balcerek and Donald McLeod review a meta-analysis assessing the associations between radioactive iodine use and incident cancer risks, while Dr. Lilah Morris-Wiseman shares her perspective on a patient survey study surrounding quality of life and thyroid-specific symptoms before and after thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease.Dr. Natalia Genere summarizes a study assessing the very common clinical scenario of incidentally finding a thyroid nodule on FDG PET CT scanning — should these incidentalomas be standardly evaluated for a potential biopsy? On a similar topic, Dr. Giorgio Grani provides his perspectives on a recent meta-analysis assessing the appropriateness of thyroid ultrasonography use in routine clinical practice.Epidemiologic considerations of the rising incidence of thyroid cancer is assessed in a study discussed by Drs. Reem ElSheikh and Spyridoula Maraka. Drs. Omar El Kawkgi and Juan Brito discuss a survey study assessing the demographic characteristics of patients with thyroid cancer and their clinicians who advise their diagnostic and treatment recommendations. The mechanisms of resistance from lenvatinib combined with anti-PD-1 combination therapy are explored in a recent study covered by Dr. Benjamin Gigliotti. From a surgical perspective, Drs. Amanda Bastien and Allen Ho provide their insights on how anatomic variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve may be an important consideration during thyroid surgery.Finally, we are thrilled to feature the top-scoring abstracts presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association throughout the journal this year. Our first abstract this year is authored by Drs. Malik Faheem, Yasaman Motlaghzadeh, Ivana Jankovic, and Chrysoula Dosiou, who describe a case series of 3 patients who all experienced silent thyroiditis following receipt of an mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. I urge you all to read their description of these interesting patients and proposed possible mechanisms for this entity.We invite our readers to join us through our social media channels. Through the following, we discuss content featured in each month's issue and other issues related to hot topics in the clinical thyroid literature:Twitter:https://twitter.com/clinicalthyroid(@clinicalthyroid)Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ThyroidAssociationLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-thyroid-associationYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/user/thyroidorgAlso, note that most of the material covered in Clinical Thyroidology is also translated into shorter lay summaries in our sister journal, Clinical Thyroidology for the Public [CTFP] (https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients), that is edited by Dr. Alan Farwell and his team each month. The summaries in CTFP may be of use to patients and the public who are interested in reading more about recently published studies in the clinical thyroid literature.I hope that each issue provides helpful reviews, commentaries, editorials, and perspectives regarding how best to treat patients with thyroid disease. Guidelines for submitting Letters to the Editor and select Guest Editorials that cover timely and innovative aspects of clinical thyroid disease management may be found at https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/clinical-thyroidologyand174/623/for-authors.Thank you again for your interest in Clinical Thyroidology. Please feel free to send me any questions or comments at clinicalthyroidology@thyroid.org.Warmest regards,Angela M. Leung, MD, MScEditor-in-Chief, Clinical ThyroidologyFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 34Issue 1Jan 2022 InformationCopyright 2022 American Thyroid Association, Inc.To cite this article:Angela M. Leung.Greetings From the Editor of Clinical Thyroidology.Clinical Thyroidology.Jan 2022.4-5.http://doi.org/10.1089/ct.2022;34.4-5Published in Volume: 34 Issue 1: January 4, 2022PDF download

Selected Abstracts from the 47th Annual Mid-South Sociological Association meetings in Charlotte, NC, October 21–23, 2021

Selected Abstracts from the 47th Annual Mid-South Sociological Association meetings in Charlotte, NC, October 21–23, 2021

Big Data and AI Utilization in Stroke Care

In recent years, over 5 million stroke cases in the United States and Europe have been registered in the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get with the Guideline Stroke database. In the United States and Europe, studies on the extent to which standard treatment is provided for each disease(process indicators)are increasingly being conducted. In this paper, we discuss examples of the use of big data in neurosurgical diseases and its application and future prospects, while focusing on the contents of the presentation conducted at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Neurosurgical Association.

May 25-31, International thyroid awareness week & May 25, world thyroid day, 2022: Indetermination of indeterminate cytology, aus/flus, fn, susp, in thyroidology?

May 25, World Thyroid Day, WTD, was officially accepted at the Annual General Meeting of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) before the September 2007 Congress in Leipzig, Germany. Although the date also refers to the establishment day of ETA in 1965, the aim is to create awareness about thyroid diseases on this day. After World Thyroid Day was first celebrated by ETA, in 2010, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) declared its support for this day. In addition, on May 25-31, International Thyroid Awareness Week, ITAW, is celebrated worldwide with the mentorship of Thyroid Federation International. The "thyroid gland", commonly used terminology simply "thyroid", is an important endocrine organ localized in front of the neck, extending laterally on both sides. This butterfly-shaped and delicate (1) vital organ is responsible for many metabolic activities that are critical for the organism through the secretion of thyroid hormones. Therefore, "thyroid health" becomes extremely important. As such, thyroid gland disorders continue to affect all age groups globally and possess a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms. Among these, hypothyroidism (abnormally decreased thyroid activity), thyrotoxicosis with or without hyperthyroidism (abnormally increased thyroid activity), goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland), congenital thyroid diseases, thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), retro/substernal goiter (gland growth and extension behind the sternum), follicular nodular thyroid disease with primary and secondary thyroid carcinomas are noteworthy. Family history, genetic and familial predisposition, radiation exposure to the head & neck and thorax region during the first two decades particularly in children and women (0-20 years of age), iodine deficiency, and some drugs such as amiodarone are known as the leading factors to the thyroid gland disorders. Nevertheless, the Public Health Update reported that more than 200 million people worldwide are facing thyroid disorders, and over 50% of them remain undiagnosed. To achieve an accurate diagnosis for disorders and also carcinomas with their metastasis and recurrences before histopathology and during postoperative follow-up of this small, delicate, and papillon vital organ that can affect the whole organism: (i) biochemical essays (fT3, fT4, tT3, tT4, TSH, Tg, antiTg, antiTPO, calcitonin, TSI/TRAb, US-guided-Tg/calcitonin washout); (ii) imaging modalities (sonography, strain, and shear wave elastography, SWE, scintigraphy and CT, MRI, 18-FDG PET/CT, and 131I-WBS, when necessary) and (iii) cytopathologic examinations have been utilized. However, thyroid and neck US and cytopathological examination, in particular, still maintain their importance today. Indeterminate cytology (Category III, IV, V, The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, TBSRTC, 1st and 2nd ed.s) (2,3) in cytopathology and follicular nodular thyroid disease, in general, is one of the controversial topics which remains to be a significant topic in Thyroidology (4,5). The latest ATA guidelines, 2015 ATA Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (6), recommended repeat FNA cytology, molecular tests with further surveillance or diagnostic surgery, considering worrisome sonographic and clinical features with patient preference, as novel approaches in Endocrine Surgery, Endocrine Pathology, and Thyroidology to resolve the challenging issue, Category III, TBSRTC (AUS/FLUS, atypia of undetermined/follicular lesion of undetermined significance), which is at the center of the aforementioned controversion (Recommendation 15A, Weak recommendation, Moderate-quality evidence; 15B, Strong recommendation, Low-quality evidence). Of note, some authors and authorities have advocated the potential need for separation in TBSRTC in terms of Category III, AUS/FLUS (7,8,9). We very recently also postulated the so-called subdivision concept in Category III, TBSRTC, id est, (i) Category IIIA: AUS/FLUS without nuclear atypia (AUS/FLUS wo NA), and (ii) Category IIIB: AUS/FLUS with nuclear atypia (AUS/FLUS w NA) within the possible forthcoming 3rd ed., the 202X TBSRTC (10,11). Mater artium necessitas. Therefore, a novel risk of malignancy, ROM, for each diagnostic category of possible forthcoming TBSRTC would selectively enrich the different management proposals in Thyroidology. As a matter of fact that this issue merits further investigation. Bene diagnoscitur bene curatur.. Dum vivimus servimus..

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association

Proceedings of the 68th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association

Fudan Zenshin, Kyumeikyukyu ; ~Now JIN again~.

I graduated from Osaka University in 1982 and joined the Department of Traumatology, Osaka University Medical School. Patients with severe injuries and illnesses were brought in every day. Staff brushed up their skills on site, taught each other, and engaged in friendly competition for research. We had many frustrating moments when we could not save lives. Since then, the needs of emergency medicine have changed, and the scope of practice of emergency physicians has expanded to include pre-hospital emergency care, primary health care, intensive care, and disaster medicine. I was transferred to Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital in September 2007. Soon after my assignment, Urayasu Hospital was in the spotlight due to the emergency hospitalization of the All-Japan soccer coach and the Chinese frozen dumpling incident. It is said that emergency medicine is a mirror of society. I myself have experienced many disasters and incidents. It has been 15 years since I was assigned to this hospital, and I have 62 colleagues at Urayasu Hospital. They have all acquired various medical specialties, and some are emergency medicine specialists. In 2019, we hosted the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. The theme of the conference is "Fudan Zenshin, Kyumeikyukyu (constant advancement, emergency medical services)". Emergency medical care is the starting point of "medicine" and is the ultimate source of life preservation for all citizens. We emergency physicians will continue to provide lifesaving medical care to patients without giving up until the very end, to keep the light of life from going out.

New Targeted Therapies for Improving Cholesterol and CV Outcomes in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

<h3>Lead Author's Financial Disclosures</h3> Nothing to disclose. <h3>Study Funding</h3> Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. <h3>Background/Synopsis</h3> For five years, Med Learning Group (MLG) has integrated virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools into its educational activities. These tools are used to further engage learners, enhance comprehension, improve recall, and support practice change. The tools are downloadable and promote patient engagement post-activity. Furthermore, MLG has enhanced our programming even more by creating VR rooms for an immersive educational experience. MLG has developed a variety of educational activities which included VR and AR animations based on the pathophysiology of hypercholesterolemia and the mechanism of action of the latest recommended therapies to help in reducing the risk of CVD. Post-activity tests and evaluations show the importance of advanced continuing medical education (CME) VR and AR animations. Outcomes from these programs demonstrate how these advanced modalities result in greater knowledge and competency gains, practice improvements, and patient engagement. <h3>Objective/Purpose</h3> The use of VR and AR in CME can enhance cardiologists' understanding of the pathophysiology and current and emerging therapies in hypercholesterolemia care in order to reduce patients' risk of CVD. <h3>Methods</h3> MLG provided award-winning VR and AR based education on hypercholesterolemia in 2019 and 2020. In April 2021, MLG updated its IMPACT CVD website (https://impact-cvd.com/) and will be sharing digital learning labs at a variety of association meetings throughout the year. The website serves as a hub for clinical practice tools, like downloadable aminations, poster portals, and patient- and HCP-focused toolkits, to promote continuous learning and enhanced patient engagement. MLG is expected to set up VR rooms at the annual meetings for ASPC Conference on CVD Prevention, National Lipid Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, AMCP Nexus, and American Heart Association between July and November 2021. The VR rooms will target the following audiences: cardiologists and lipidologists; managed care professionals; infusion center professionals; and pediatric FH specialists. The VR rooms will include 4 3D/VR themes, a case study, and a 360-degre 4K filmed faculty presentation. Participants of the VR room will be able to design personalized posters on CVD and have access to an AR application. MLG will then create a virtual pathways series based on the VR rooms inclusive of 1-hr online programming. Pre/post-tests, electronic evaluations, and online surveys will be conducted to evaluate the importance of these technologies in creating a long-lasting education experience for HCPs, in turn, benefiting patients. <h3>Results</h3> MLG expects this education to reach over 7,500 learners. Outcomes from the pre/post-test, electronic evaluations, and online survey will be ready prior to the 2021 National Lipid Association conference. The poster will show longitudinal learning gains from 2019 - 2021 by specialty. <h3>Conclusions</h3> VR and AR have proved to be an asset to the continuing education of HCPs treating patients with hypercholesterolemia. These tools ultimately benefit the patients these providers administer care to and create a lasting effect.