Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Pregnant People with Hepatitis C Virus.

Background: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pregnancy can cure maternal HCV and prevent perinatal HCV transmission. The primary objective was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) in pregnant versus nonpregnant people.

Methods: Pregnant people with chronic HCV infection were enrolled between 23-25 weeks' gestation and were provided SOF/VEL daily for 12 weeks.

Genomic regions associated with Holstein heifer times bred to artificial insemination and embryo transfer services.

This study aimed to identify loci (p < 1 × 10) and gene sets (normalized enrichment score (NES) ≥ 3.0) associated with the number of times a heifer is bred to attain a successful pregnancy (TBRD) for Holstein heifers bred by artificial insemination (AI, n = 2754) or that were embryo transfer (ET, n = 1566) recipients. Eight loci were associated (p < 1 × 10) with TBRD in AI bred heifers and four loci were associated with TBRD in ET recipients.

Case Report: Radiopharmaceutical extravasation, radiation paranoia, and chilling effect.

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has publicly commented that they do not support the reporting of large extravasations to patients or regulatory bodies. The comment cites recently published articles suggesting that extravasations are infrequent and not severe. The comment stresses the importance of ensuring patients are not apprehensive or resistant to nuclear medicine procedures because of "radiation paranoia" and a "chilling effect" that can result from misinformation.

Identifying Regions of the Genome Associated with Conception Rate to the First Service in Holstein Heifers Bred by Artificial Insemination and as Embryo Transfer Recipients.

Heifer conception rate to the first service (HCR1) is defined as the number of heifers that become pregnant to the first breeding service compared to the heifers bred. This study aimed to identify loci associated and gene sets enriched for HCR1 for heifers that were bred by artificial insemination (AI, = 2829) or were embryo transfer (ET, = 2086) recipients, by completing a genome-wide association analysis and gene set enrichment analysis using SNP data (GSEA-SNP). Three unique loci, containing four positional candidate genes, were associated ( < 1 × 10) with HCR1 for ET recipients, while the GSEA-SNP identified four gene sets (NES ≥ 3) and sixty-two leading edge genes (LEGs) enriched for HCR1.

SNAPSHOT USA 2021: A third coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States.

SNAPSHOT USA is a multicontributor, long-term camera trap survey designed to survey mammals across the United States. Participants are recruited through community networks and directly through a website application (https://www.snapshot-usa.

Tenofovir-Diphosphate and Emtricitabine-Triphosphate Adherence Benchmarks in Dried Blood Spots for Persons With HIV Receiving Tenofovir Alafenamide and Emtricitabine-Based Antiretroviral Therapy (QUANTI-TAF).

Background: QUANTI-TAF aimed to establish tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP)/emtricitabine-triphosphate (FTC-TP) adherence benchmarks in dried blood spots (DBS) for persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) receiving tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (TAF/FTC)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: For 16 weeks, PWH received TAF/FTC-based ART co-encapsulated with an ingestible sensor to directly measure cumulative (enrollment to final visit) and 10-day adherence. At monthly visits, intraerythrocytic concentrations of TFV-DP and FTC-TP in DBS were quantified and summarized at steady-state (week 12 or 16) as median (interquartile range).

Genomic regions associated with pseudorabies virus infection status in naturally infected feral swine ().

Pseudorabies virus (PRV)-the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease-was eliminated from commercial pig production herds in the United States (US) in 2004; however, PRV remains endemic among invasive feral swine (). The circulation of PRV among abundant, widespread feral swine populations poses a sustained risk for disease spillover to production herds. Risk-based surveillance has been successfully implemented for PRV in feral swine populations in the US.

Mechanical Regulation of Retinal Vascular Inflammation and Degeneration in Diabetes.

Vascular inflammation is known to cause degeneration of retinal capillaries in early diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major microvascular complication of diabetes. Past studies investigating these diabetes-induced retinal vascular abnormalities have focused primarily on the role of molecular or biochemical cues. Here we show that retinal vascular inflammation and degeneration in diabetes are also mechanically regulated by the increase in retinal vascular stiffness caused by overexpression of the collagen-cross-linking enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX).

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of dispersible and immediate-release abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine tablets in children with HIV (IMPAACT 2019): week 24 results of an open-label, multicentre, phase 1-2 dose-confirmation study.

Background: Child-friendly fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral therapy (ART) options are limited. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of dispersible and immediate-release FDC abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine taken once per day in children younger than 12 years with HIV.

Methods: IMPAACT 2019 was an international, phase 1-2, multisite, open-label, non-comparative dose-confirmation study of abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine in children younger than 12 years.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method to quantify the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 in dried blood spots for clinical research purposes.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids detectable in red blood cells exclusively following ethanol consumption. The primary PEth analog, PEth 16:0/18:1, has an extended half-life in red cells, providing a long window of detection and tremendous potential for the quantification of cumulative alcohol consumption. We developed and validated an LC/MS-MS method to quantify PEth 16:0/18:1 in dried blood spots (DBS) for clinical research purposes.

The decision to reimage following extravasation in diagnostic nuclear medicine.

The primary goal of diagnostic nuclear medicine is to provide complete and accurate reports without equivocation or disclaimers. If specific clinical questions cannot be answered because of radiopharmaceutical extravasation, the imaging study may have to be repeated. The decision to reimage is based on several factors including the diagnostic quality of the images, additional patient radiation dose, patient burden, and administrative constraints.

Potential mechanisms between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review.

Background: Research has suggested 2 potential mechanisms by which the periodontal inflammatory response may communicate to distant organs: 1) direct translocation of periodontal bacteria from the oral cavity to another organ system; and 2) inflammation as a result of metastatic periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore these mechanisms as potential mediators between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: A reiterative literature search of peer-reviewed articles was performed in the PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords or combinations such as Alzheimer's disease AND periodontitis OR periodontal disease AND inflammation.

Miniature mass spectrometer-based point-of-care assay for measuring phosphatidylethanol in blood.

We demonstrate proof-of-concept for point-of-care assessment of long-term alcohol consumption by measuring phosphatidylethanol in blood/dried blood spots with nano-electrospray ionization and MS/MS using a miniature mass spectrometer. 'Abstinence', 'moderate', and 'chronic' consumption could be distinguished rapidly for both sample types, and quantitative performance was obtained with blood (LoQ-100 ng mL).

Active monitoring improves radiopharmaceutical administration quality.

Introduction: In 2016, our center adopted technology to routinely monitor F-FDG radiopharmaceutical administrations. Within six months of following basic quality improvement methodology, our technologists reduced extravasation rates from 13.3% to 2.

Identification by whole genome sequencing of genes associated with delayed postoperative hemorrhage in Scottish deerhounds.

Background: Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) is an important health concern for Scottish deerhounds.

Hypothesis/objectives: Identify genes associated with DEPOH in Scottish deerhounds.

Animals: Two hundred sixty-nine privately owned Scottish deerhounds.

Antiviral Treatment Failures After Transplantation of Organs From Donors With Hepatitis C Infection: A Report of 4 Cases.

The transplantation of organs from donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection into uninfected recipients has expanded the available organ donor pool. With the advancement of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), high rates of cure among transplant recipients are possible. Although DAAs are highly effective, treatment failure can occur following an appropriate 12-week course of a pan-genotypic regimen.

A Comparison of PET Tracers in Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas: A Systematic Review.

Humans with high-grade gliomas have a poor prognosis, with a mean survival time of just 12-18 months for patients who undergo standard-of-care tumor resection and adjuvant therapy. Currently, surgery and chemoradiotherapy serve as standard treatments for this condition, yet these can be complicated by the tumor location, growth rate and recurrence. Currently, gadolinium-based, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) serves as the predominant imaging modality for recurrent high-grade gliomas, but it faces several drawbacks, including its inability to distinguish tumor recurrence from treatment-related changes and its failure to reveal the entirety of tumor burden (de novo or recurrent) due to limitations inherent to gadolinium contrast.

Improving the accuracy of adherence data collected using medication monitoring technology in clinical research.

Ambiguous adherence data adversely effects the statistical analyses, study conclusions, and generalizability of research findings for clinical trials. Fortunately, technology-based measures of drug dosing provide more objective measures of medication adherence. While adherence data obtained through monitoring technology avoids the well documented shortcomings of self-reported adherence data, there are important limitations and nuances with use of these technologies that should be considered at study inception, conduct, and analysis.

Long-Acting Treatments for Hepatitis B.

There are an estimated 257 million persons living with chronic hepatitis B for whom there are multiple potential applications of long-acting antiviral compounds. Current efforts include both injection and implant approaches to formulating derivates of existing anti-HBV compounds such as tenofovir or entecavir. Substantial progress has already occurred especially as aligned with the development of long-acting tenofovir-based medications with dual activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Prospects for Long-Acting Treatments for Hepatitis C.

In 2019, more than 4 years after the widespread availability of safe, oral, curative treatments, an estimated 58 million people were living with hepatitis C virus infections (PLWHC). Additional tools may enable those not yet reached to be treated. One such tool could be long-acting parenteral formulations of HCV treatments, which may allow PLWHC to be diagnosed and cured in a single encounter.

New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Agents: Tecovirimat for Treatment of Human Monkeypox Virus.

Tecovirimat is an antiviral drug initially developed against variola virus (VARV) to treat smallpox infection. Due to its mechanism of action, it has activity against the family of orthopoxviruses, including vaccinia and the human monkeypox virus (HMPXV). Efficacy studies have thus far been limited to animal models, with human safety trials showing no serious adverse events.