Decentralized Clinical Trials as a New Paradigm of Trial Delivery to Improve Equity of Access.

Importance: The need to maintain clinical trial recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated the rapid uptake of digital health for the conduct of clinical trials. Different terms are used in different jurisdictions and clinical contexts, including digital trials, networked trials, teletrials (TT), and decentralized clinical trials (DCT) with a need to agree to terms.

Observations: This clinical care review summarized publications and gray literature, including government policies for the safe conduct of clinical trials using digital health.

Preclinical proof of concept for VivoVec, a lentiviral-based platform for in vivo CAR T-cell engineering.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated transformational outcomes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, but their widespread use is hindered by technical and logistical challenges associated with ex vivo cell manufacturing. To overcome these challenges, we developed VivoVec, a lentiviral vector-based platform for in vivo engineering of T cells. UB-VV100, a VivoVec clinical candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, displays an anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) on the surface and delivers a genetic payload that encodes a second-generation CD19-targeted CAR along with a rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) system designed to overcome the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy in supporting successful CAR T-cell expansion and persistence.

"Who is going to take care of these grandkids if I go?": End-of-life planning by caregivers in grandparent-headed households.

This qualitative study applied thematic analysis to semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants who self-identified as primary caregivers to at least one grandchild. Using Family Systems Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior as guiding frameworks, this study reports grandparent caregivers' end-of-life planning behaviors while illuminating factors influencing these behaviors. The analysis revealed two themes related to grandparents' communicative behaviors surrounding end-of-life planning (formal and informal behaviors) and four themes related to factors that influence grandparents' end-of-life planning (emotional paradoxes, legal/custodial conundrums, concerns about child wellbeing, and resources needed to plan).

Mapping haemodynamic changes with rapid sequence induction agents in the emergency department.

Objective: Patients intubated in the ED are at an increased risk of post-intubation hypotension. However, evidence regarding the most appropriate induction agent is lacking. The present study aims to describe and compare the haemodynamic effect of propofol, ketamine and thiopentone during rapid sequence induction.

"A Toxic Trend?": Generational Conflict and Connectivity in Twitter Discourse Under the #BoomerRemover Hashtag.

Background And Objectives: This study examines the #BoomerRemover hashtag on Twitter to understand discourses of intergenerational conflict and unity that emerged during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic. The research highlights conflict and connection surrounding generational cohorts via social media, particularly in a time of crisis.

Research Design And Methods: The study used an inductive-dominant qualitative content analysis to examine 536 tweets collected between March 9 and April 9, 2020 under #BoomerRemover.

Can a child and family health service improve early childhood health outcomes in an urban Aboriginal community?

Aims: To describe the engagement of a cohort of urban Aboriginal families with an Early Childhood Health Service, and to assess any association of engagement with the service with screening by the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS), full breastfeeding rates and post-natal smoking status.

Methods: Routine electronic medical record data collected by a Child and Family Health Nurse between 2011 and 2014 was analysed retrospectively. Associations between use of the service and acceptance of EPDS, breastfeeding rates and post-natal smoking status were determined using binary and multinomial multiple logistic regression analyses.

Loss of RASSF2 Enhances Tumorigencity of Lung Cancer Cells and Confers Resistance to Chemotherapy.

RASSF2 is a novel pro-apoptotic effector of K-Ras that is frequently inactivated in a variety of primary tumors by promoter methylation. Inactivation of RASSF2 enhances K-Ras-mediated transformation and overexpression of RASSF2 suppresses tumor cell growth. In this study, we confirm that RASSF2 and K-Ras form an endogenous complex, validating that RASSF2 is a bona fide K-Ras effector.

Phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase expression in mouse thymus and spleen.

Catecholamines usually are found in neurons and chromaffin cells of mammals. In this study, surprisingly high levels of the epinephrine synthesizing enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT) were detected in the thymus of young mice. Levels of PNMT activity in the thymus were comparable to levels in the brainstem and were suppressed by the PNMT inhibitor LY134046.