The impact of COVID-19 prevention measures on surgical wound infection rates post-cardiac surgery.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on medical services. Several measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of viral transmission. In this paper, we assessed the impact of these measures on surgical wound infection rates in post-cardiac surgery patients.

A pair of cadmium-exposed zebrafish affect social behavior of the un-exposed majority.

To account for global contamination events, we must identify direct and indirect pollutant effects. Although pollutants can have direct effects on individuals, it is unknown how a few contaminated individuals affect groups, a widespread social organization. We show environmentally relevant levels of cadmium (Cd) can have indirect social effects revealed in the social context of a larger group.

Intertwined and Finely Balanced: Endoplasmic Reticulum Morphology, Dynamics, Function, and Diseases.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that is responsible for many essential subcellular processes. Interconnected narrow tubules at the periphery and thicker sheet-like regions in the perinuclear region are linked to the nuclear envelope. It is becoming apparent that the complex morphology and dynamics of the ER are linked to its function.

Immunosensor for Assessing the Welfare of Trainee Guide Dogs.

Cortisol is a well established biomarker hormone that regulates many processes in the body and is widely referred to as the stress hormone. Cortisol can be used as a stress marker to allow for detection of stress levels in dogs during the training process. This test will indicate if they will handle the stress under the training or if they might be more suitable as an assistant or companion dog.

Network organisation and the dynamics of tubules in the endoplasmic reticulum.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a eukaryotic subcellular organelle composed of tubules and sheet-like areas of membrane connected at junctions. The tubule network is highly dynamic and undergoes rapid and continual rearrangement. There are currently few tools to evaluate network organisation and dynamics.

Validation of water-borne cortisol and corticosterone in tadpoles: Recovery rate from an acute stressor, repeatability, and evaluating rearing methods.

Amphibian populations are declining globally, so understanding how individuals respond to anthropogenic and environmental stressors may aid conservation efforts. Using a non-invasive water-borne hormone assay, we measured the release rates of two glucocorticoid hormones, corticosterone and cortisol, in Rio Grande Leopard frog, Rana berlandieri, tadpoles. We validated this method pharmacologically and biologically using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge, exposure to exogenous corticosterone, and an agitation test.

Decision Aids Can Support Cancer Clinical Trials Decisions: Results of a Randomized Trial.

Background: Cancer patients often do not make informed decisions regarding clinical trial participation. This study evaluated whether a web-based decision aid (DA) could support trial decisions compared with our cancer center's website.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with cancer in the past 6 months who had not previously participated in a cancer clinical trial were eligible.

Development of Plain Language Supplemental Materials for the Biobank Informed Consent Process.

The US Department of Health and Human Services addresses clear communication in the informed consent process as part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for revisions to the Common Rule. However, prior research has shown that participants may not fully comprehend research studies despite completion of an informed consent process. Our main goal was to provide plain language information about donation processes to a cancer biobank to supplement an informed consent form.

Health Insurance Information-Seeking Behaviors Among the Uninsured.

As a result of the Affordable Care Act, millions of previously uninsured individuals are facing the daunting task of selecting health insurance. In order to better understand how to reach the uninsured and support their health insurance decision making, this study examined where the uninsured collect information about health insurance and the extent to which they trust those sources and media. We analyzed secondary data on health insurance information-seeking behaviors collected from a survey of 343 uninsured individuals.

Differences in preferences for models of consent for biobanks between Black and White women.

Biobanks are essential resources, and participation by individuals from diverse groups is needed. Various models of consent have been proposed for secondary research use of biospecimens, differing in level of donor control and information received. Data are needed regarding participant preferences for models of consent, particularly among minorities.

A Randomized Trial Examining Three Strategies for Supporting Health Insurance Decisions among the Uninsured.

Background: The Affordable Care Act allows uninsured individuals to select health insurance from numerous private plans, a challenging decision-making process. This study examined the effectiveness of strategies to support health insurance decisions among the uninsured.

Methods: Participants (N = 343) from urban, suburban, and rural areas were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: 1) a plain language table; 2) a visual condition where participants chose what information to view and in what order; and 3) a narrative condition.

What can health communication science offer for ACA implementation? Five evidence-informed strategies for expanding Medicaid enrollment.

Context: Implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014 will require effective enrollment and outreach efforts to previously uninsured individuals now eligible for coverage.

Methods: From 1996 to 2013, the Health Communication Research Laboratory conducted more than 40 original studies with more than 30,000 participants to learn how to improve the reach to and effectiveness of health information for low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations. We synthesized the findings from this body of research and used them to inform current challenges in implementing the ACA.

Deep Sequencing Insights in Therapeutic shRNA Processing and siRNA Target Cleavage Precision.

TT-034 (PF-05095808) is a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) agent expressing three short hairpin RNA (shRNA) pro-drugs that target the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome. The cytosolic enzyme Dicer cleaves each shRNA into multiple, potentially active small interfering RNA (siRNA) drugs. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify and characterize active shRNAs maturation products, we observed that each TT-034-encoded shRNA could be processed into as many as 95 separate siRNA strands.

Changes in immune cell populations in the periphery and liver of GBV-B-infected and convalescent tamarins (Saguinus labiatus).

Flaviviruses related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in suitable animal models may provide further insight into the role that cellular immunity contributes to spontaneous clearance of HCV. We characterised changes in lymphocyte populations in tamarins with an acute GBV-B infection, a hepatitis virus of the flaviviridae. Major immune cell populations were monitored in peripheral and intra-hepatic lymphocytes at high viraemia or following a period when peripheral virus was no longer detected.

Therapy with TLR7 agonists induces lymphopenia: correlating pharmacology to mechanism in a mouse model.

Background And Objective: Synthetic TLR7 agonists have been proposed as oral replacements for interferonα (IFNα) therapy in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. However, adverse effects, such as lymphopenia and cardiovascular irregularities, have been observed in the clinical following treatment with TLR7 agonists. We wished to understand and characterise the relationship between TLR7 agonism and adverse effects.

In vitro characterization of the activity of PF-05095808, a novel biological agent for hepatitis C virus therapy.

PF-05095808 is a novel biological agent for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. It comprises a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA vector packaged into an AAV serotype 8 capsid. The vector directs expression of three short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeted to conserved regions of the HCV genome.

A low-molecular-weight entry inhibitor of both CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 targets a novel site on gp41.

A low-molecular-weight human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) inhibitor, PF-68742 (molecular weight, 573), has been identified in a high-throughput screen for compounds that block HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env)-mediated fusion. The compound is shown to be potent against R5 and X4 isolates in both cell-cell fusion and antiviral assays (50% effective concentrations of approximately 0.1 to 1 muM).