Publications by authors named "K Kasper"

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) is a superantigen produced by and is the determinant of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS); however, the impact of TSST-1 on the vaginal environment beyond mTSS is not understood. Herein, we assessed how TSST-1 affects vaginal colonization by , host inflammatory responses, and changes in microbial communities within the murine vagina. We demonstrated that TSST-1 induced a CD8 T-cell-dependent inflammatory response in 24 h that correlated with persistence within the vaginal tract.

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Marginalized groups in Manitoba, Canada, especially females and people who inject drugs, are overrepresented in new HIV diagnoses and disproportionately affected by HIV and structural disadvantages. Informed by syndemic theory, our aim was to understand people living with HIV's (PLHIV) gendered and intersecting barriers and facilitators across the cascade of HIV care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was co-designed and co-led alongside people with lived experience and a research advisory committee.

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Introduction: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on physical fitness in previously healthy adults is not well understood. In this study, we assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the physical fitness test (PT) scores of Air Force basic trainees.

Materials And Methods: SARS-CoV-2 testing data and trainee fitness test scores for the calendar year 2021 were obtained from U.

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Voicing My CHOiCES (VMC) is an advance care planning (ACP) guide designed to assist adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with serious illness in communicating their care preferences to others. This study evaluated a revised version of VMC. A structured interview was used alongside two versions of VMC to solicit AYA preferences and feedback regarding content and layout changes.

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Background: Approximately 25% of hospitalised adults require an indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) during their hospital stay. IDCs expose patients to risks of infectious and non-infectious complications.

Aims: To identify IDC prevalence, assess adherence to clinical practice guidelines and patient-reported involvement in IDC care for adult hospital inpatients.

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