Hepatitis C virus-specific immune responses following direct-acting antivirals administered during recent hepatitis C virus infection.

Individuals who spontaneously clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have demonstrated evidence of partial protective immunity, whereas treatment-induced clearance provides little or no protection against reinfection. We aimed to investigate whether treatment of acute HCV infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) prevents establishment of, or reverses, T-cell exhaustion, leading to a virus-specific T-cell immune profile more similar to that seen in spontaneous clearance. The magnitude and breadth of HCV-specific T-cell responses before and after DAA or interferon-based therapy in acute or chronic HCV were compared to those of participants with spontaneous clearance of infection, using Enzyme-linked Immunospot (ELISPOT).

Effectiveness of scheduled vital signs assessment during infliximab infusions in detecting infusion reactions: a multi-centre retrospective data review.

Purpose: To determine if scheduled vital signs monitoring is useful in the detection of infusion reactions to infliximab (IFX).

Methods: The infusion records of 35,988 IFX infusions completed in 2017 were reviewed for infusion reactions that occurred during the infusion, which were then examined further to determine how those infusion reactions were detected.

Results: Of the 90 complete infusion reaction records reviewed, no infusion reactions (0) were detected by scheduled vital signs assessment.

Evaluation of Dried Blood Spot Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Using a Quantitative Commercial Assay.

Dried blood spots (DBS) are commonly used for serologic testing for viruses and provide an alternative collection method when phlebotomy and/or conventional laboratory testing are not readily available. DBS collection could be used to facilitate widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to document past infection, vaccination, and potentially immunity. We investigated the characteristics of Roche's Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (S) assay, a quantitative commercial assay for antibodies against the spike glycoprotein.

Cognitive Dysfunction, Brain Volumes, and Traumatic Brain Injury in Homeless Persons.

Although homeless persons experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently, little is known about the structural and functional brain changes in this group. We aimed to describe brain volume changes and related cognitive/motor deficits in homeless persons with or without TBI versus controls. Participants underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuropsychological (NP) tests (the Grooved Pegboard Test [GPT]/Finger Tapping Test [FTT]), alcohol/drug use screens (the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]/Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST]), and questionnaires (the Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire [BISQ]/General Information Questionnaire [GIQ]) to determine TBI.

The 9th Canadian Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus: Advances in HCV research and treatment towards elimination.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination has evolved into a coordinated global effort. Canada, with more than 250,000 chronically infected individuals, is among the countries leading this effort. The 9th Canadian Symposium on HCV, held in February 2020, thus established and addressed its theme, 'advances in HCV research and treatment towards elimination', by gathering together basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, social scientists, and community members interested in HCV research in Canada.

Reducing Read Time of Point-of-Care Test Does Not Affect Detection of Hepatitis C Virus and Reduces Need for Reflex RNA.

Background & Aims: Global elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) will require increases in diagnosis. Point of care (POC) tests that detect antibodies against HCV can be useful for testing large and difficult to reach populations. The most accurate POC test requires a 20 min read time to identify antibody-positive samples.

Spontaneous Clearance After Relapse Following Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment for Chronic HCV Infection.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) cure most cases of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, a small percentage of patients relapse with reappearance of viremia after a full course of therapy. Although most who relapse require retreatment, some patients spontaneously clear HCV without additional therapy.

Medical assessment of potential concussion in elite football: video analysis of the 2016 UEFA European championship.

Objective: The objective is to determine if suspected concussions in elite football are medically assessed according to the International Conferences on Concussion in Sport consensus statement recommendations.

Setting: Men's Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Football Championship.

Participants: All professional football players in the UEFA 2016 Championship Tournament.

Restoration of HCV-Specific Immune Responses with Antiviral Therapy: A Case for DAA Treatment in Acute HCV Infection.

Worldwide, 71 million individuals are chronically infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection can lead to potentially fatal outcomes including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV-specific immune responses play a major role in viral control and may explain why approximately 20% of infections are spontaneously cleared before the establishment of chronicity.

Assessment of Head Collision Events During the 2014 FIFA World Cup Tournament.

This study uses video footage observations of all 64 matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to assess the incidence, characteristics, and sideline outcome assessments of player head collisions.