Effects of Single-Dose Versus Hypofractionated Focused Radiation on Vertebral Body Structure and Biomechanical Integrity: Development of a Rabbit Radiation-Induced Vertebral Compression Fracture Model.

Purpose: Vertebral compression fracture is a common complication of spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy. Development of an in vivo model is crucial to fully understand how focal radiation treatment affects vertebral integrity and biology at various dose fractionation regimens. We present a clinically relevant animal model to analyze the effects of localized, high-dose radiation on vertebral microstructure and mechanical integrity.

Transforming Disruption Into Innovation: A Partnership Between the COVID-19 Medical Student Response Team and the University of British Columbia.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial disruptions in medical education. The University of British Columbia (UBC) MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP) is the sixth-largest medical school in North America. MDUP students and faculty developed a joint response to these disruptions to address the curriculum and public health challenges that the pandemic posed.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine candidate significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 shedding in ferrets.

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are likely to be critical in the management of the ongoing pandemic. A number of candidates are in Phase III human clinical trials, including ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222), a replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine candidate. In preclinical trials, the efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 against SARS-CoV-2 challenge was evaluated in a ferret model of infection.

Genomics of Environmental : Engaging Students in the Microbiology and Bioinformatics of Foodborne Pathogens.

We have developed and implemented an undergraduate microbiology course in which students isolate, characterize, and perform whole genome assembly and analysis of from stream sediments and poultry litter. In the development of the course and over three semesters, successive teams of undergraduate students collected field samples and performed enrichment and isolation techniques specific for the detection of . Eighty-eight strains were confirmed using standard microbiological methods and PCR of the gene.

Children's spatial-numerical associations on horizontal, vertical, and sagittal axes.

There is substantial evidence linking numerical magnitude to the physical properties of space. The most influential support for this connection comes from the SNARC effect (spatial-numerical association of response codes), in which responses to small/large numbers are faster on the left/right side of space, respectively. The SNARC effect has been extensively replicated, and is understood as horizontal mapping of numerical magnitude.

Local field potentials in the parietal reach region reveal mechanisms of bimanual coordination.

Primates use their arms in complex ways that frequently require coordination between the two arms. Yet the planning of bimanual movements has not been well-studied. We recorded spikes and local field potentials (LFP) from the parietal reach region (PRR) in both hemispheres simultaneously while monkeys planned and executed unimanual and bimanual reaches.

Postoperative healing in the diabetic foot is impacted by discharge destination.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of discharge destination on diabetes-related limb salvage surgery outcomes post-hospitalisation. This was a single-centre, observational, descriptive study of 175 subjects with diabetes who underwent limb salvage surgery of a minor foot amputation or wide incision and debridement for an acutely infected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Comparisons were made between subjects discharged home vs a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for 12 months postoperatively.

Differential abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid dopaminergic versus noradrenergic indices in synucleinopathies.

The synucleinopathies Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and pure autonomic failure (PAF) are characterized by intra-cytoplasmic deposition of the protein alpha-synuclein and by catecholamine depletion. PAF, which manifests with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) and no motor signs of central neurodegeneration, can evolve into PD+nOH. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of catecholamine metabolites may indicate central catecholamine deficiency in these synucleinopathies, but the literature is inconsistent and incomplete.

Primate Spatial Memory Cells Become Tuned Early and Lose Tuning at Cell-Specific Times.

Working memory, the ability to maintain and transform information, is critical for cognition. Spatial working memory is particularly well studied. The premier model for spatial memory is the continuous attractor network, which posits that cells maintain constant activity over memory periods.

Utilizing a Novel 2D Image Processing System for Relating Body Composition Metrics to Performance in Collegiate Female Rowers.

The purpose of this study was to determine if rowing performance was associated with fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) measured using a novel 2D digital image analysis system. Nineteen female rowers (ages = 20.3 ± 1.

Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 quantified by face-mask sampling in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Background: Human to human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is driven by the respiratory route but little is known about the pattern and quantity of virus output from exhaled breath. We have previously shown that face-mask sampling (FMS) can detect exhaled tubercle bacilli and have adapted its use to quantify exhaled SARS-CoV-2 RNA in patients admitted to hospital with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Between May and December 2020, we took two concomitant FMS and nasopharyngeal samples (NPS) over two days, starting within 24 h of a routine virus positive NPS in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK.

Validity of a 3-compartment body composition model using body volume derived from a novel 2-dimensional image analysis program.

Background/objectives: The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare body volume (BV) estimated from a 2-dimensional (2D) image analysis program (BV), and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) equation (BV) to an underwater weighing (UWW) criterion (BV); (2) to compare relative adiposity (%Fat) derived from a 3-compartment (3C) model using BV (%Fat), and a 4-compartment (4C) model using BV (%Fat) to a 4C criterion model using BV (%Fat).

Subject/methods: Forty-eight participants were included (60% male, 22.9 ± 5.

Progression of Postural Asymmetry in Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy Who Are Not Walking: An Exploratory Study.

Purpose: Young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) who are not walking are at risk of developing or increasing musculoskeletal asymmetries affecting the rib cage, spine, pelvis, and hips. This longitudinal study aimed to explore postural change using the Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry (GIofBS) over an 18-month period in adults with CP who are not walking.

Methods: Demographic and medical data were accessed from participant's history.

The genome of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals potential mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control.

Background: The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a major blood-feeding pest of livestock that has near worldwide distribution, causing an annual cost of over $2 billion for control and product loss in the USA alone. Control of these flies has been limited to increased sanitary management practices and insecticide application for suppressing larval stages. Few genetic and molecular resources are available to help in developing novel methods for controlling stable flies.

Retrospective serosurveillance for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin during a time of low prevalence: A cautionary tale.

We performed a retrospective screening of 428 serum samples for anti-SARS-CoV-2  immunoglobulin during a period of low prevalence. Employing two different serological tests yielded discrepant results for 10 samples; highlighting an increased risk of potential  false positive results and the need for further confirmatory testing before publication of data.

Readability and quality assessment of internet-based patient education materials related to nasal septoplasty.

Background: Given that nasal septoplasty is a common procedure in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality and readability of online patient education materials on septoplasty.

Methods: A Google search was performed using eight different search terms related to septoplasty. Six different tools were used to assess the readability of included patient education materials.

"Essential Not Optional": Spiritual Care in Australia during a Pandemic.

This paper focuses on the impact of COVID19 in Australia. Three areas were investigated: professionalism, contrasting hospital and aged care services and "business as usual"? Impact was low overall, the timing being pre-second wave impact. Two areas of weakness were highlighted: depleted spiritual care teams due to standing down non-professional staff and uncertainty about the role of Chaplains in the care of other staff.

"The Most Effective Experience was a Flexible and Creative Attitude"-Reflections on Those Aspects of Spiritual Care that were Lost, Gained, or Deemed Ineffective during the Pandemic.

This paper presents and discusses data from three of the qualitative questions in the international COVID-19 survey: What was the most important aspect of spiritual care that was lost during the pandemic? What was new to you during this pandemic? What are the new ways of delivering spiritual care you have experienced? Of these new experiences, what do you think was the most effective?

Tissue Regeneration Capacity of Extracellular Vesicles Isolated From Bone Marrow-Derived and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies have demonstrated tissue repair and regeneration capacity in various preclinical models. These therapeutic effects have recently been largely attributed to the paracrine effects of the MSC secretome, including proteins and extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are cell-secreted nano-sized vesicles with lipid bilayer membranes that facilitate cell-cell signaling.

Do indices of baroreflex failure and peripheral noradrenergic deficiency predict the magnitude of orthostatic hypotension in Lewy body diseases?

Introduction: Patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in the setting of Lewy body diseases (LBnOH) typically have baroreflex failure and peripheral noradrenergic deficiency. Either or both of these abnormalities might determine the magnitude of OH in individual patients. We retrospectively correlated the orthostatic fall in systolic blood pressure (∆BPs) during active standing or 5 min of head-up tilt at 90° from horizontal as a function of several baroreflex and sympathetic noradrenergic indices.

Impact of a Patient Support Program on Patient Beliefs About Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Persistence to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare persistence between patients prescribed intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in Australia enrolled on a patient support program (PSP) with that of a sample of patients from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dataset (10% PBS sample); explore predictors of persistence; describe changes in patient beliefs over the course of their enrollment in a PSP for patients treated with IVT-AFL for nAMD; and assess patient satisfaction.

Participants And Methods: Participants prescribed IVT-AFL for the treatment of nAMD were invited to participate in the PSP. The PSP provided tailored support to patients through provision of a welcome pack, structured telephone calls, and information booklets.