DNA metabarcoding of cloacal swabs provides insight into diets of highly migratory sharks in the Mid-Atlantic Bight.

The abundances of migratory shark species observed throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) during productive summer months suggest that this region provides critical habitat and prey resources to these taxa. However, the principal prey assemblages sustaining migratory shark biomass in this region are poorly defined. We applied high-throughput DNA metabarcoding to shark feces derived from cloacal swabs across nine species of Carcharhinid and Lamnid sharks to (1) quantify the contribution of broad taxa (e.

Multivalent IgM scaffold enhances the therapeutic potential of variant-agnostic ACE2 decoys against SARS-CoV-2.

As immunological selection for escape mutants continues to give rise to future SARS-CoV-2 variants, novel universal therapeutic strategies against ACE2-dependent viruses are needed. Here we present an IgM-based decavalent ACE2 decoy that has variant-agnostic efficacy. In immuno-, pseudovirus, and live virus assays, IgM ACE2 decoy had potency comparable or superior to leading SARS-CoV-2 IgG-based mAb therapeutics evaluated in the clinic, which were variant-sensitive in their potency.

Pivoting a Community-Based Participatory Research Project for Mental Health and Immigrant Youth in Philadelphia During COVID-19.

Research has documented the need for mental health services among refugee and immigrant youth. A joint collaboration on a community-based participatory research (CBPR) research project between a university, a local art and health collective, and an immigrant and refugee organization sought to identify and understand the mental health needs and strategies for immigrant youth in Philadelphia through youth discussion and engagement in a variety of art workshops. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this CBPR research project was forced to make several programmatic changes, such as shifting to a virtual setting, that impacted project implementation and intended outcomes.

Subvisible Particles in Solutions of Remicade in Intravenous Saline Activate Immune System Pathways in In Vitro Human Cell Systems.

Among patients that receive Remicade® therapy, more than 20% have adverse infusion related reactions and approximately 50% have immunogenic responses. Upon characterization of initial Remicade®-IV solution we observed a high concentration of subvisible particles that could inadvertently be delivered to patients. This solution was processed through the IV infusion system, mimicking the typical clinical administration setup - either with or without an in-line filter connected to the IV line.