Publications by authors named "Alyssa Owens"
Cancer is characterized by increased metabolic activity and vascularity, leading to temperature changes in cancerous tissues compared to normal cells. This study focused on patients with abnormal mammogram findings or a clinical suspicion of breast cancer, exclusively those confirmed by biopsy. Utilizing an ultra-high sensitivity thermal camera and prone patient positioning, we measured surface temperatures integrated with an inverse modeling technique based on heat transfer principles to predict malignant breast lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffective treatment of breast cancer relies heavily on early detection. Routine annual mammography is a widely accepted screening technique that has resulted in significantly improving the survival rate. However, it suffers from low sensitivity resulting in high false positives from screening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study compared viral dynamics in vaccinated individuals versus unvaccinated individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, focusing on breakthrough infections among vaccinated subjects.
- - Findings indicated that vaccinated individuals experienced shorter periods of infectious virus shedding and milder symptoms compared to those who were unvaccinated, suggesting effective viral control in those who are vaccinated.
- - The research concluded that vaccination not only reduces the potential for virus transmission but also limits the severity and spread of symptoms, indicating overall enhanced immunity against the virus.
The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding in humans remain poorly understood. We captured the dynamics of infectious virus and viral RNA shedding during acute infection through daily longitudinal sampling of 60 individuals for up to 14 days. By fitting mechanistic models, we directly estimated viral expansion and clearance rates and overall infectiousness for each individual.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates vaccine breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals, amidst the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the emergence of new variants like Delta.
- Results showed that vaccinated individuals have a significantly reduced duration of both infectious virus shedding and symptoms compared to those who are unvaccinated.
- Additionally, vaccine breakthrough infections exhibit strong tissue compartmentalization, often only detectable in saliva, suggesting that vaccination can limit transmission potential and symptom severity.
The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding in humans remain poorly understood. We captured the dynamics of infectious virus and viral RNA shedding during acute infection through daily longitudinal sampling of 60 individuals for up to 14 days. By fitting mechanistic models, we directly estimate viral reproduction and clearance rates, and overall infectiousness for each individual.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Serial screening is critical for restricting spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by facilitating timely identification of infected individuals to interrupt transmission. Variation in sensitivity of different diagnostic tests at different stages of infection has not been well documented.
Methods: In a longitudinal study of 43 adults newly infected with SARS-CoV-2, all provided daily saliva and nasal swabs for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Quidel SARS Sofia antigen fluorescent immunoassay (FIA), and live virus culture.
Article Synopsis
- Diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, like RTqPCR (nasal swab and saliva) and rapid antigen tests, vary in their sensitivity during the infection period, peaking when live virus is present in nasal swabs.
- RTqPCR tests increase sensitivity more quickly before symptoms show, making them more effective for early detection of infections compared to rapid antigen tests.
- Regular testing (2-3 times a week) with rapid antigen tests can achieve over 95% sensitivity in identifying infections, which is crucial for reducing virus transmission.